Menstrual Cramps

Effectiveness and safety of light therapy for treating primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Ang L, Song E, Choi S, Kim J · Complementary therapies in medicine · 2025 · n=645

Primary dysmenorrhea, defined as painful menstrual cramps without identifiable pelvic pathology, is a prevalent gynecological condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that light-based therapies, including low-level light therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity light therapy (HILT), may offer a non-pharmacological approach to managing menstrual pain. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of light therapy in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched twelve electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), WanFang Data, Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) to identify randomized controlled trial

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain control in women with primary dysmenorrhoea.

Han S, Park KS, Lee H, Kim E, Zhu X, Lee JM · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024 · n=345

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-pharmacological treatment that works by delivering electrical currents via electrodes attached to the skin at the site of pain. It can be an alternative to pharmacological treatments. The mechanism of action of TENS for pain relief is related to the inhibition of the transmission of painful stimuli, release of endogenous opioids, and reduced muscle ischaemia of the uterus. Although it has been used for primary dysmenorrhoea ((PD); period pain or menstrual cramps), evidence of the efficacy and safety of high-frequency TENS, low-frequency TENS, or other treatments for PD is limited. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in comparison with placebo, no treatment, and other treatments for primary dysmenorrhoea (PD). We searched the Gynaecology and Fertility Group's Specialized Register of controlled trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, and the Korean an

The role of catastrophizing in chronic cyclical pelvic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rabinowitz EP, Sayer MA, Delahanty DL · Women's health (London, England) · 2023 · n=540

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps) is one of the most common gynecological complaints in women and girls. Dysmenorrhea may be a condition itself or a result of another medical condition, including endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Research examining the relationship between menstrual pain ratings and catastrophizing has produced mixed results. To review and meta-analyze the relationship between catastrophizing and pain ratings of chronic cyclical pelvic pain. Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies that reported the relationship between menstrual/pelvic pain and catastrophizing were included. Study populations had to include healthy menstruating persons or persons with a condition associated with cyclical pelvic pain including primary dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, and/or chronic pelvic pain. A systematic search of articles published since 2012 on PubMed, PsychInfo, CINHAL, and Medline was conducted in January and rerun in November of 2022. Search terms inclu

Combined oral contraceptive pill for primary dysmenorrhoea.

Schroll JB, Black AY, Farquhar C, Chen I · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023 · n=3723

Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstrual cramps) is common and a major cause of pain in women. Combined oral contraceptives (OCPs) are often used in the management of primary dysmenorrhoea, but there is a need for reporting the benefits and harms. Primary dysmenorrhoea is defined as painful menstrual cramps without pelvic pathology. To evaluate the benefits and harms of combined oral contraceptive pills for the management of primary dysmenorrhoea. We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date 28 March 2023. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing all combined OCPs with other combined OCPs, placebo, or management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Participants had to have primary dysmenorrhoea, diagnosed by ruling out pelvic pathology through pelvic examination or ultrasound. We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. The primary outcomes were pain score after treatment, improvement in pain, and adver

Interventions to prevent or treat heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use.

Christelle K, Norhayati MN, Jaafar SH · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2022 · n=3689

Heavy menstrual bleeding and pain are common reasons women discontinue intrauterine device (IUD) use. Copper IUD (Cu IUD) users tend to experience increased menstrual bleeding, whereas levonorgestrel IUD (LNG IUD) users tend to have irregular menstruation. Medical therapies used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with Cu and LNG IUD use include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-fibrinolytics and paracetamol. We analysed treatment and prevention interventions separately because the expected outcomes for treatment and prevention interventions differ. We did not combine different drug classes in the analysis as they have different mechanisms of action. This is an update of a review originally on NSAIDs. The review scope has been widened to include all interventions for treatment or prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD use. To evaluate all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have assessed strategies for treatment and

Primary Dysmenorrhea in Relation to Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status: A Systematic Review of Case-Control Studies.

Szmidt MK, Granda D, Sicinska E, Kaluza J · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2020 · n=175

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin in the absence of pelvic pathology and is the most common gynecological disorder among women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to systematically review case-control studies that have investigated the oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and inflammation markers among women with primary dysmenorrhea and controls. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42020183104). By searching PubMed and Scopus databases as well as reference lists, six case-control studies with fifteen eligible markers (seven oxidative stress, seven antioxidant status, one inflammation) were included in this review. The quality of the included studies was assessed as medium or high. The systematic review included 175 women with primary dysmenorrhea and 161 controls. The results indicate an elevated level of oxidative stress, especially of lipid peroxidation among dysmenorrheal women. For the antioxidant status,

Dysmenorrhea and Endometriosis in the Adolescent

ACOG

This ACOG committee opinion discusses the evaluation and management of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis in adolescents, emphasizing early diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies.

Dysmenorrhoea: assessment and management (search results)

NICE

While a single specific guideline for 'Dysmenorrhoea' may not be directly listed as a document on the main guidelines page, searching NICE's website yields relevant publications, including clinical knowledge summaries and evidence reviews that contribute to best practice for assessment and management.

Optimizing Adolescent Gynecologic Health

ACOG

This committee opinion provides guidance on promoting and maintaining gynecologic health in adolescents, covering a range of topics including menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea.

Exercise and primary dysmenorrhoea : a comprehensive and critical review of the literature.

Daley AJ · Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2008

Primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) is chronic, cyclic, pelvic, spasmodic pain associated with menstruation in the absence of identifiable pathology and is typically known as menstrual cramps or period pain. PD is the most common gynaecological disorder in menstruating women. Despite treatments being available for PD, relatively few women consult a clinician about their symptoms, preferring not to use treatment, or to self-treat using non-pharmacological or over-the-counter interventions. The notion that exercise is effective in preventing and treating symptoms has prevailed for many years and led to the promotion of anecdotal belief that exercise is beneficial. Behavioural interventions such as exercise may not only reduce dysmenorrhoea, but also eliminate or reduce the need for medication to control menstrual cramps and other associated symptoms. With emphasis on data from experimental studies, this report seeks to review the available evidence regarding the role of exercise in the management

"Just" a painful period: A philosophical perspective review of the dismissal of menstrual pain.

Wiggleton-Little J · Women's health (London, England) · 2024

Science and society typically respond to dysmenorrhea-or painful menstrual cramps-as a normal, natural, and inevitable part of menstruation. This normalization has greatly contributed to the systemic dismissal of painful menstrual cramps. Stigma, secrecy, and the expectation to "cope" fuel the normalization of menstrual pain. In this article, I argue that the normalization of menstrual pain restricts the ability to share an excruciating menstrual pain in a way that would otherwise elicit alarm or concern. This can cause clinicians to downgrade menstrual pain, and even menstruating persons to downgrade their own pain. I refer to the dismissal of menstrual pain as an example of a pain-related motivational deficit. A pain-related motivational deficit describes instances in which an utterance fails to motivate due to societal practices and ideas that make it difficult to recognize the import of the embodied experience being shared. “Just” a painful period: why we are not con

Why Pharmacovigilance of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs is Important in India?

Dash S, Singh PA, Bajwa N, Choudhury A, Bisht P, Sharma R · Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets · 2024

Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are among the drugs that are most regularly administered to manage inflammation and pain. Over-the-Counter (OTC) NSAIDs are widely accessible, particularly in developing countries like India. This casual approach to using NSAIDs may operate as a magnet for NSAID-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among patients. As patients in India are less informed about the appropriate use of NSAIDs and consumption patttern, adverse drug reactions, and the importance of reporting ADRs, the current study's objective is to promote patient safety by using pharmacovigilance as a tool to educate patients. A targeted literature methodology was utilized to gather the data pertaining to NSAIDs, their ADRs and their pharmacovigilance. Different scientific databases, such as Science Direct, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Springer, and Google Scholar, along with authentic textbooks, were explored as reference literature. In general, NSAIDs consumption pattern

Semiologic differences and primary dysmenorrhea.

Fernández Macedo SA, Agüero JJ, Salas GB, Fernandez Tapia SB, Rossel EC · Heliyon · 2023

Dysmenorrhea is a condition that manifests itself in women before, during, and after menstruation, and it is accompanied by very intense pelvic pain. Moreover, women experience moderate to intense menstrual cramps year after year, decreasing their quality of life. The purpose of the study was to establish semiological differences associated with primary dysmenorrhea. Women who start their menstrual cycles with this symptomatology assume that it is normal and that they do not need specialized medical assistance. Medical professionals have established general practice guidelines on clinical disorders. However, there are no specific recommendations for the menstrual cycle that can effectively support the prompt diagnosis and treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, particularly at 3870 msnm. The uniqueness of our research is that semiological distinctions can change depending on height.

Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods

ACOG

This FAQ from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides an overview of dysmenorrhea, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. It is designed to inform patients about managing painful periods.

Period pain

NHS

This NHS page provides general information about period pain, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. It offers practical advice for managing symptoms at home and when to seek medical help.

A Randomized, Controlled, Multi-Center, CROSSOVER, Prospective, Double-blind Clinical Study to Assess the Effectiveness and Safety of Livia® Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Women Suffering From Primary Dysmenorrhea

n=63 · NCT03064945 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

This is a randomized, controlled, multi-center, single-arm, crossover, double-blind clinical study assessing the Livia Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in women suffering from dysmenorrhea. The study will be conducted at community clinics. Advertisement will be used to publish and promote recruitment. The study will include 3 visits: Screening visit and two consecutive visits each one after monthly menstrual period. Treatment will be self-administrated and during the study, the subjects will be requested to complete home diaries.

Comparison of the Effect of Hegu Point Ice Massage and Music on Pain and Comfort Levels in Dysmenorrhea

n=129 · NCT05686460 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

Dysmenorrhea, a gynecological health problem that is frequently observed in adolescents and young adult women and often cannot be diagnosed is defined as pelvic pain associated with menstruation. Providing analgesia without using pharmacological treatment is the leading aim of health care and can reduce drug-related complications. Therefore, nurses' awareness of the use of complementary and alternative medicine should be raised and the methods used should be based on evidence. Our search for studies in which the effects of listening to music and ice massage applied to the Hegu point on pain management in individuals with dysmenorrhea were investigated demonstrated that the number of such studies in the literature is not many. We think that the present study is important in terms of increasing the comfort levels of individuals with dysmenorrhea, basing the applications on evidence and contributing to the literature. It was conducted to compare the effects of ice massage applied to the Hegu point and music on pain and comfort levels in nursing students with dysmenorrhea.

Effect of Progressive Relaxation Versus Isometric Exercises in Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea

n=60 · NCT07525102 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

This study will be conducted to compare the effect of progressive relaxation and isometric exercises in management of primary dysmenorrhea.