The pain lasts one or more days into the period and then subsides. Abnormal conditions associated with dysmenorrhea include endometriosis , pelvic inflammatory disease , vaginal agenesis, and others. Increasing frequency of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents has increased the percentage of dysmenorrhea cases associated with disease. Avoiding sexually transmitted diseases will decrease disease-associated dysmenorrhea. Younger adolescents who have not become sexually active usually will not require a pelvic examination.
Initial treatment is focused on relief of pain.
In some severe cases, and with disorders such as endometriosis , oral contraceptives can be helpful. Good relief is expected from treatment with mild analgesics . Oral contraceptives generally control severe dysmenorrhea . Dysmenorrhea associated with a disease state responds to treatment of the primary problem. There are no complications from functional dysmenorrhea .