dysmenorrhea /dis′menərē″ə/ [Gk, dys + men, month, rhein, to flow] , painful menstruation sufficiently severe that it prevents the performance of normal activities. Primary dysmenorrhea is associated with an excess of prostaglandins, primarily prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Secondary dysmennorhea may be caused by a clinically identifiable cause, or if not, it is called idiopathic. These causes may be classified as extrauterine (endometriosis, benign and malignant tumors, inflammation, adhesions and, rarely, psychogenic), intramural (adenomyosis, leiomyomata), and intrauterine (leiomyomata, polyps intrauterine contraceptive devices, infection, and cervical stenosis). Treatment depends on identification of the specific cause. Also called menorrhagia. Also spelled dysmenorrhoea.
