CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Dysmenorrhoea - Background information
What is it?
- Dysmenorrhoea is painful cramping, usually in the lower abdomen, occurring shortly before or during menstruation, or both.
- Primary dysmenorrhoea occurs in the absence of any identifiable underlying pelvic pathology.
- Secondary dysmenorrhoea is associated with underlying pelvic pathology (such as endometriosis, fibroids, or endometrial polyps).
[Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, 2005; Proctor and Farquhar, 2006]
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement