Impact of dysmenorrhoea

Dysmenorrhoea has a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life^1,15. With a greater disease burden than any other gynaecological condition^9, this affects a patient throughout their life course as dysmenorrhoea is an episodic ongoing condition that can hinder the ability to achieve educationally or in their career, social relationships, emotional wellbeing and starting a family¹².

Impact of dysmenorrhoea¹²

Quality of Life1,12,15 The impact is similar to other chronic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis12.	Relationships 12,16 One study found more than 20% of young women reported poor relationships due to their dysmenorrhoea12.	Work/studying/social activities 12,16 More than 70% of patients reported these were affected, with 16% saying dysmenorrhoea had a serious impact12.	Absenteeism The main reason for repeated work or school absenteeism in young women17, resulting in a significant economic cost due to reduced productivity9.

It is important for the pharmacy team to be aware that much of the impact of dysmenorrhoea may be hidden. 

• The Women’s Health Strategy for England found period pain was perceived as being ‘normal’ and a condition they would ‘grow out of’²
• There is a stigma and embarrassment around periods that is exacerbated by this ‘normalisation’ and, therefore, it is not a legitimate health concern^2,8
• Yet, it has been shown that dysmenorrhoea can result in enhanced central nervous system sensitivity to pain, not restricted to the menstrual cycle, and has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing other chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia^1,12,18.  

It is, therefore, important for women to take their dysmenorrhoea seriously, not just for the immediate term in validating their condition⁸ but also in terms of chronic pain issues that necessitate the early and adequate treatment of period pain¹⁸.