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.