Menstruation: Severe Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)

Description

Alternative Names

Risk Factors

Those who start menstruating at age 11 or younger are at higher risk for severe pain, longer periods, and longer menstrual cycles. In any case, between 20% and 90% of teenage girls report menstrual pain and about 15% report that it is severe.

Being Overweight or Underweight

Studies suggest that being either overweight or underweight increases the risk for dysmenorrhea. In a Japanese study, being underweight posed a higher risk for frequent menstrual pain than being overweight. An earlier American study, reported, however, that women who are overweight have twice the risk for having severe and prolonged cramping as women who are not overweight.

Smoking and Alcohol Use

Smoking. Smokers have a 50% higher risk than nonsmokers for menstrual pain. In fact, studies have also reported a higher incidence of dysmenorrhea among women exposed to passive smoking.

Alcohol Use. Alcohol does not cause menstrual pain, but in women with existing dysmenorrhea, alcohol consumption may prolong the pain.

Stress

Stress factors have been suspected in menstrual disorders, but few studies have confirmed any association. In one study among military personnel, stress from life events, but not work-related stress, was associated with a higher risk for dysmenorrhea.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Many women experience chronic pain in the pelvic area, and in one study about 81% of these women also experienced dysmenorrhea. In this study, stress and irritable bowel syndrome (which is related to stress) were the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain.