young woman looking sad

Symptoms of dysmenorrhoea

The symptoms of dysmenorrhoea can differ, depending on whether it is primary or secondary in nature. 

Dysmenorrhoea symptoms1,10,11 

  Primary Dysmenorrhoea Secondary Dysmenorrhoea

First Presentation

 

 6-12 months after periods first appear, once menstrual cycle is regular Begins several years after the onset of apinless periods, usually five years after

Onset of Pain

 Just before menstruation begins May be present throughout the menstrual cycle but is exacerbated by menstruation

Pain Location

 Lower abdominal pain that may also be felt in the back and inner thigh Lower abdominal pain that may also be felt in the back and inner thigh

Pain Severity

 Mild-to-moderate in most cases buy 2-29% of women experience severe pain Pain may be worse during menstrual cycle and worsens with time

Pain Duration

 Can last for up to 72 hours, diminishing as the period progress  Can persist beyond menstruation

Non-Pain Symptoms
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability/ emotional changes
  • Dizziness
  • Bloating 
  • Breast tenderness
  • Vomiting/nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Pelvic or abdominal mass
  • Rectal pain and bleeding

“Someone told me I could suffer from endometriosis, but that I don’t ‘check all the boxes’, So, because I ‘only’ have a painful period….it’s probably just that I’m unlucky, right?” 8