Summary
DYSMENORRHOEA, probably the most common symptom or complaint in women is reviewed and discussed. Particular emphasis is laid on the genesis of pain and the classification and causes thereof. Links are made to premenstrual tension.
All forms of surgical and medical therapy are considered and the use of a local anaesthetic aerosol spray Fomocaine for dysmenorrhoea relief Is described in a double blind placebo controlled experiment.
Forty per cent of patients and37 percent of their cycles were relieved with the active Fomocaine spray and none with placebo. Pain threshold was however greater in those who obtained relief compared with non responders and controls.
Further research which must include exploration of the psychological factors involved is needed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson B. M., Haynes P. J., Fraser I. S.,Turnbull A. C. 1978. Trial of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors in primary dysmenorrhoea.Lancet 1, 345.
Astrachan J. M. 1981. Psychiatric treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. In: Dysmenorrhoea edited by M.Y. Dawood, Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins. Ch. 10. p.187.
Black W. T. 1964. Use of the pre-sacral sympathectomy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. Second look after 25 years.American J. of Obstet. and Gynaecol.,89,16.
Boehm F. E., Sarrat H. 1975. Indomethacin for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea.J.of Reprod. Med. 15,84.
Carey, H. M. 1975. Dysmenorrhoea.Med. J. of Aust. 2, 349.
Chan.W. Y., Dawood M. Y., Fuchs F. 1979. Relief of dysmenorrhoea with the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor Ibuprofen. Effect on prostaglandin levels in menstrual fluid.American J. of Obstet. and Gynaecol.,135, 102.
Chan W. Y. 1981. Prostaglandin inhibitors and antagonists in dysmenorrhoea therapy. In:Dysmenorrhoea edited by M. Y. Dawood, Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins. Ch. 11, p.209.
Clare, A. W. 1982. Psychiatric aspects of premenstrual complaint.J. Psychomatic Obstet. and Gynaecol,i, 22.
Dalton K. 1977. The premenstrual syndrome and progesterone therapy. London. Heinemann.
Davis A. A. 1963. Alcohol injection for relief of dysmenorrhoea.Clinics in Obstet and Gynaecol.6,754.
Dawood M. Y. 1981a. Hormones and Prostaglandins. In:Dysmenorrhoea edited by M. Y. Dawood, Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins. Ch. 2, p.21.
Dawood M. Y. 1981b. Overall approach to the management of dysmenorrhoea. In:Dysmenorrhoea, Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins. Ch. 13, p.261.
Dewhurst C. J. 1972. In:Integrated obstetrics and Gynaecology for postgraduates edited by Dewhurst C. J. London, Blackwell. p.216.
Doyle J. B. 1955. Para-cervical uterine denervation by transection of the cervical plexus for the relief of dysmenorrhoea.Am. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. 90, 1.
Filler W. W., Hall W. C. 1970. Dysmenorrhoea and its therapy. A uterine contractility study.Am. J. Obstet.Gynaecol.106, 104.
Fuchs F. 1981. Uterine tocolytic agents. In:Dysmenorrhoea edited by M. Y. Dawood, Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins. Ch.12, p.247.
Galeao R. 1974. La dysmenorrhee, syndrome multiforme.Gynaecologie.25,125.
Ghose K., Coppen A. 1977. Bromocriptine and premenstrual syndrom. Controlled study.British Med. J. 1.147.
Grays Anatomy 1947. Edited by Johnson T.B. and Whillis J. N.Y. Bounty. Edition 29. p.1174.
Halbert D. R.,DemersL. M. Fontana J., and Jones D. E. D. 1975 Prostaglandin levels in endometrial jet wash specimens in patients with dysmenorrhoea before and after Indomethacin therapy.Prostaglandins 10,1047.
Haman J. O. 1944. Pain threshold in dysmenorrhoea.Am. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. 47, 686.
Hamman G. O. 1980. Severe primary dysmenorrhoeatreated with Naproxen. A prospective double-blind crossover investigation.Prostaglandins 19. 651.
Harrison R. F., Scrivener R., Craft I. 1974. Serum prostaglandin F2, ∞ levels and contraceptive techniquesContraception 10,535.
Harrison R. F., Thornton C. T. 1979. The treatment of Dysmenorrhoea with a local Anaesthetic Aerosol Spray. In:Vth Int. Congress on Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rome Academic Press, London 1013–1015.
Janbu J., Lokken, P. Neshiem B. I. 1979. Effect of Acetyl Salicilic acid, paracetamol and placebo in pain and blood loss in dysmenorrhoeic women.Acta Obstet. Gynaecol. Scan (Suppl.)87, 81.
Jones G. S. 1972. Treatment of functional dysmenorrhoea Obstet and Gynaecol.Surgery.27, 635.
Lamb E. J. 1981. Clinical features of primary dysmenorrhoea In:Dysmenorrhoea edited by M. Y. Dawood, Baltimore Williams and Wilkins. Ch. 6. p. 107.
Laros R. K. 1981. Secondary Dymenorrhoea (excluding endometriosis).Ibid. Ch. 8. p. 155
Lundstrom V. 1981. Uterine activity during the menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhoea.Ibid. Ch. 3. p.53.
Morrison J. C. and Nicholls E. T. 1981. Epidemiologic social and economic aspects of dysmenorrhoea.Ibid. Ch. 5 P. 95.
O'Brien S. 1980 The premenstrual syndrome — a review.Journal of Maternal and Child Health,5. 104.
Pickels V. R., Hall W. T., Best F. A., Smith G. N. 1965 Prostaglandins in endometrial and menstrual fluid from normal and dysmenorrhoic subjects.Br. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. 72, 155.
Roy S. 1981. Surgery for dysmenorrhoea. In:Dysmenorrhoea edited by M. Y. Dawood, Baltimore Williams and Wilkins. Ch.9. p. 165.
Sampson G. 1979. Premenstrual syndrome: A double blind controlled study of progesterone and placebo.Br. J. Psychiatry.135, 209.
Scommegna A. 1981. Secondary dysmenorrhoea: endometriosis In:Dsymenorrhoea, edited by M. Y. Dawood, Baltimore. Williams and Wilkins. Ch. 7. p. 131.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harrison, R.F. Dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual tension: Gynaecological aspects. Ir J Med Sci 152 (Suppl 2), 44–48 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02945281
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02945281