Dysménorrhées

Abstract

Dysmenorrhoea, the most burdensome chronic pain syndrome in women, results in frequent absences from school or work, which translate into major social and economic costs. Primary essential dysmenorrhoea requires neither a physical examination nor other investigations. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is often caused by endometriosis. The mechanism underlying dysmenorrhoea is tissue hypoxia secondary to myometrial hypercontractility and to myometrial arteriolar constriction in response to endometrial overproduction of prostaglandins. Monthly pain should no longer be considered inevitable, as effective treatment is now available. The main drug classes used to treat dysmenorrhoea are nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives, both of which inhibit prostaglandin production.