While any female can develop dysmenorrhea, the following females may be at an increased risk for the condition:

• females who smoke
• females who drink alcohol during menses (alcohol tends to prolong menstrual pain)
• females who are overweight
• females who started menstruating before the age of 11

Consult your physician for more information.

Primary dysmenorrhea affects more than 50 percent of all women who have a menstrual period. Approximately 5 to 15 percent of these women have severe pain that interferes with daily activities. Only about one-fourth of all women with dysmenorrhea have secondary dysmenorrhea, meaning there is an underlying cause of their symptoms. Dysmenorrhea usually begins during adolescence.

Pathogenesis

Dysmenorrhea is thought to be caused by the release of prostaglandins in the menstrual fluid, which causes uterine contractions and pain. Vasopressin also may play a role by increasing uterine contractility and causing ischemic pain as a result of vasoconstriction. Elevated vasopressin levels have been reported in women with primary dysmenorrhea.