Sure, at first glance pain is just pain... In medicine, however, menstrual pain is divided into primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.
This classification is important to determine the causes, rule out diseases and find a suitable treatment option. do you know the difference

primary dysmenorrhea

What symptoms can occur?

It doesn’t matter whether it’s primary or secondary menstrual pain – the symptoms are the same in both cases:

• abdominal pain
• Radiating pain in legs and/or back
• nausea, vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• general malaise

What is primary dysmenorrhea?

Primary dysmenorrhea is not based on a disease. The first pain usually occurs 6-12 months after the very first menstrual period. They start before or with menstruation and last 1-2 days.

Young women under 30 are particularly affected by primary menstrual pain.



What is the reason for primary menstrual pain?

It is believed that the cause of the pain is prostaglandin overproduction. As a result, the uterus contracts more and squeezes blood vessels. The lack of oxygen in the muscle tissue is in turn perceived as pain.

The increased release of prostaglandins can also be associated with other accompanying symptoms of menstrual pain such as nausea, headaches and diarrhea.

What treatment options are there?

In most cases, primary menstrual pain does not require treatment.

That doesn't mean severe pain is normal! If you suffer from primary dysmenorrhea and are in severe pain (e.g. you cannot cope without painkillers) you should see a doctor to rule out secondary dysmenorrhea.

Today there are a few facts about primary dysmenorrhea. Women under 30 are particularly affected by this.

Other risk factors for primary menstrual pain are a low BMI, smoking and the psyche.

By the way: Women with an early menarche (first menstrual period) and a long-lasting period have a higher risk of suffering from primary menstrual pain.

secondary dysmenorrhea

What symptoms can occur?

It doesn’t matter whether it’s primary or secondary menstrual pain – the symptoms are the same in both cases:

abdominal pain
Radiating pain in legs and/or back
nausea, vomiting
Headache
Diarrhea
general malaise
What is secondary dysmenorrhea?

Secondary menstrual pain is usually triggered by an illness.

What Causes Secondary Period Pain?

There are many triggers for secondary dysmenorrhea.

This can e.g.

benign fibroids or polyps
endometriosis or adenomyosis
or malformations of the uterus.


What treatment options are there?

Painkillers, relaxation exercises, heat or cold can help in the short term. In the medium and long term, however, the primary disease should be the focus of treatment.