What causes dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological symptom in women, characterized by abdominal pain before, during, or after the onset of menstruation. Causes of dysmenorrhea include:

1. Primary dysmenorrhea: Begins during puberty without apparent pelvic disease, often related to increased secretion of substances such as prostaglandins during menstruation. Prostaglandins cause strong contractions of the uterine smooth muscle, increasing intrauterine pressure and reducing uterine blood flow, thereby causing pain.

2. Secondary dysmenorrhea: Caused by organic diseases within the pelvis, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, and cervical stenosis. These conditions may cause inflammatory responses in the pelvis, stimulating nerve endings and resulting in pain.

3. Physiological factors: Exposure to cold during menstruation can cause vasoconstriction in the pelvis; long-term emotional suppression or psychological stress may affect hypothalamic and nervous system regulation; strenuous exercise and consumption of cold beverages during menstruation may impair blood circulation, all of which can lead to dysmenorrhea.

4. Pathological factors: Cervical canal stenosis may obstruct menstrual blood outflow; uterine hypoplasia may lead to impaired uterine function, hypoxia and insufficient blood volume during menstruation, and gynecological diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis may hinder the discharge of menstrual blood, all of which can cause dysmenorrhea.

5. Other factors: For example, genetic predisposition—daughters may have an increased risk if their mothers have a history of dysmenorrhea.

6. Endocrine factors: Abdominal pain during menstruation is associated with elevated progesterone levels during the luteal phase.

If experiencing symptoms of dysmenorrhea, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for targeted treatment.