The most common age range for the problem is young women up to their late 20s. This decline in prevalence may be related to the fact that during pregnancy adrenalergic nerves regress and only partially re-develop after term. Also there is some psychogenic involvement. It is known that the sibling of a doting mother who had the same problem is more likely to have the condition. The pains frequently start a day before menses and regress by the second day of the cycle.
Intensity is variable from a dull ache to painful spasms.
Dysmenorrhoeal pain at other times suggests secondary dysmenorrhoea. Other differences include onset of the condition. Primary dysmenorrhoea usually starts with or soon after puberty, while secondary dysmenorrhoea is most common after 25 years old. Patients over 25 who had no previous history of dysmenorrhoea should be referred. Your current medication There are few drugs that provoke dysmenorrhoea.