Menstrual cramps

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you're a woman, chances are you've dealt with menstrual cramps — even if you've never heard of "dysmenorrhea," the medical term for them.

Menstrual cramps are dull, throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, it can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month.

For some women, menstrual cramps are caused by identifiable problems, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Treating the underlying cause is key to reducing the pain. Menstrual cramps that aren't caused by some underlying condition tend to lessen with age and often disappear once a woman has given birth.

Symptoms
References
  1. Lentz GM. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Etiology, diagnosis and management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/123257502-3/810739333/1524/245.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50039-X--cesec1_1158. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  2. Banikarim C. Primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  3. Dysmenorrhea. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp046.cfm. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  4. Smith RP, et al. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea in adult women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  5. Endometriosis and adenomyosis. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/123257502-5/810836639/1249/260.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0187-1..50026-2--cesec79_3198. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  6. Peipert JF, et al. Complications of pelvic inflammatory disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  7. Ultrasound imaging of the pelvis. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=pelvus. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  8. CT: Abdomen and pelvis. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=abdominct. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  9. MRI of the body (chest, abdomen, pelvis). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=bodymr. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  10. Hysteroscopy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp084.cfm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  11. Laparoscopy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp061.cfm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  12. Smith RP, et al. Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in adult women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  13. Dysmenorrhea. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50117-1--cesec17&uniq=123506366&isbn=978-1-4160-2450-7&sid=811308126#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50117-1--cesec17%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-1-4160-2450-7. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  14. Mind-body medicine: An overview. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/mind-body/mindbody.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  15. An introduction to acupuncture. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  16. Nasir LS. Dysmenorrhea. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/123506366-5/811342293/1621/527.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50267-3--cesec6_4271. Accessed March 3, 2009.

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May 1, 2009

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