Treatment FAQ

why is aspirin not an effectove treatment for dysmenorrhea

by Russel Monahan Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Is primary dysmenorrhea curable with NSAIDs?

Feb 28, 2022 · WhatsApp. Answer. Aspirin may not be as effective as these NSAIDs, and acetaminophen may be a useful adjunct for alleviating only mild menstrual cramping pain. [ 59, 60] Read More. Related ...

Is ibuprofen good for dysmenorrhea?

The usual severity of dysmenorrhea was reported as mild in 4, moderate in 18, and severe in 11. When paired comparisons were made of each of the 3 drug pairs, ibuprofen was significantly more effective than either aspirin or the placebo. Aspirin was not significantly superior to …

Which medications are used in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea?

Sep 07, 2020 · In a double-blind crossover study, Kemp and colleagues demonstrated that hyoscine butylbromide was just as effective as aspirin in treating dysmenorrhea. 132 Questionnaire-based studies have shown that women used hyoscine butylbromide to self-treat their dysmenorrhea with a similar frequency as paracetamol and NSAIDs. 133–136 A …

What is the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea?

Sep 05, 2017 · Dysmenorrhea is a common symptom secondary to various gynecological disorders, but it is also represented in most women as a primary form of disease. Pain associated with dysmenorrhea is caused by hypersecretion of prostaglandins and an increased uterine contractility. The primary dysmenorrhea is quite frequent in young women and remains with a ...

Can aspirin be used in dysmenorrhea?

Aspirin may not be as effective as these NSAIDs, and acetaminophen may be a useful adjunct for alleviating only mild menstrual cramping pain.

Is aspirin better for cramps?

Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) generally work better than aspirin to ease cramps.

Which medication is the best treatment for primary dysmenorrhea?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used as first-line treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. Oral contraceptives may be effective for relieving symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea, but evidence is limited.Mar 1, 2014

Why is ibuprofen a good choice for dysmenorrhea?

Although acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) both relieve menstrual pain, ibuprofen is the more effective of the two because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The recommendation is to take 400 mg of ibuprofen every six to eight hours for the first few days of a period.Oct 21, 2015

Can aspirin cause heavy menstrual bleeding?

Medications—Blood thinners and aspirin can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. The copper intrauterine device (IUD) can cause heavier menstrual bleeding, especially during the first year of use.

How much aspirin should I take for period pain?

Take aspirin exactly as you have been told to, or as directed on the label of the pack. The recommended dose ranges from one to three (300 mg) tablets every 4-6 hours when needed. Never take more than 4 g (13 tablets) in any 24-hour period.Aug 24, 2020

How do you relieve severe dysmenorrhea?

Management and TreatmentFor the best relief, take ibuprofen as soon as bleeding or cramping starts. ... Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower back or abdomen.Rest when needed.Avoid foods that contain caffeine.Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.Massage your lower back and abdomen.Nov 20, 2020

What is the best treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs are the most common treatment for both primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. They decrease menstrual pain by decreasing intrauterine pressure and lowering prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels in menstrual fluid.Nov 15, 2021

Can dysmenorrhea cause infertility?

While dysmenorrhea does not affect fertility, it may be symptomatic of a fertility issue. Most women with dysmenorrhea have primary dysmenorrhea, which is caused by natural pelvic pain during menstruation. This type of dysmenorrhea is not associated with fertility.

Can I take 3 ibuprofen for period cramps?

The first dose should be 3 tablets (600 mg) if the teen weighs over 100 pounds (45 kg). Take with food. Ibuprofen is a very good drug for cramps. Advil and Motrin are some of the brand names.

Which Nsaid is best for menstrual cramps?

To ease your menstrual cramps, your doctor might recommend: Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin can help control the pain of cramps.Apr 8, 2020

When should I take NSAIDs for dysmenorrhea?

NSAIDs are taken at the first onset of menses and continued for 1 to 3 days or usual duration of painful symptoms. Patients with severe symptoms may begin taking an NSAID 1 to 2 days prior to onset of menses. All doses shown are for oral administration in adult or adolescent women.

How does NSAID help with dysmenorrhea?

These medications work through the inhibition of the production and release of prostaglandins. As mentioned previously, prostaglandins are responsible for the painful uterine contractions and associated systemic symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea, such as nausea and diarrhea. The choices of specific agents are numerous, and no particular NSAID has been reliably shown to be more effective than others for this condition. Note that aspirin is not used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. It is not potent enough in the usual dosage. Response to NSAIDs usually occurs within 30 to 60 minutes. Since individual response may vary, it may be prudent to try a second agent of a different class if the pain is not relieved with the first agent after one or two menstrual cycles.

What is the mainstay of treatment for dysmenorrhea?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are the mainstay of treatment, with the addition of oral contraceptive pills when necessary. About 10 percent of affected women do not respond to these measures. It is important to consider secondary causes of dysmenorrhea in women who do not respond to initial treatment.

What is the most common gynecologic problem in menstruating women?

Primary dysmenorrhea is by far the most common gynecologic problem in menstruating women. It is so common that many women fail to report it in medical interviews, even when their daily activities are restricted. Reported prevalence rates are as high as 90 percent. 1 A recent prospective study of college students, based on diaries kept for one year, found that 72 percent of monitored periods were painful, most commonly during the first day of menses. Sixty percent of the women studied reported at least one episode of severe pain. 2

What is the term for cramping pain in the lower abdomen?

Primary dysmenorrhea is a very common problem in young women. It is usually defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring at the onset of menstruation in the absence of any identifiable pelvic disease. It is distinguished from secondary dys menorrhea, which refers to painful menses resulting from pelvic pathology such as endometriosis.

How long does it take for dysmenorrhea to start?

Primary dysmenorrhea usually presents during adolescence, within three years of menarche. 11 It is unusual for symptoms to start within the first six months after menarche. Affected women experience sharp, intermittent spasms of pain, usually centered in the suprapubic area. Pain may radiate to the back of the legs or the lower back. Systemic symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache or lightheadedness are fairly common. Pain usually develops within hours of the start of menstruation and peaks as the flow becomes heaviest during the first day or two of the cycle.

Why do women not respond to NSAIDs?

Nonresponse is also an indication to consider some secondary cause of dysmenorrhea, such as endometriosis. One study 30 indicated that most women with endometriosis endure pain for many years before the condition is detected—the mean delay in diagnosis after onset of pain symptoms was almost 12 years in American women. The diagnostic dilemma arises at least partly from the need for invasive testing, i.e., laparoscopy, before the diagnosis can be reliably made.

How effective are oral contraceptives for primary dysmenorrhea?

8 For the approximately 10 percent who do not respond to these options, a host of alternatives exists, ranging from laparoscopic surgery to acupuncture, although with much less evidence to support their use.

What is the name of the pain that comes back over and over again?

Primary dysmenorrhea is the name for common menstrual cramps that come back over and over again (recurrent) and aren’t due to other diseases. Pain usually begins one or two days before you get your period or when bleeding actual starts. You may feel pain ranging from mild to severe in the lower abdomen, back or thighs.

What is the term for a period that is painful?

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstrual periods which are caused by uterine contractions. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to recurrent pain, while secondary dysmenorrhea results from reproductive system disorders. Both can be treated.

How long do menstrual cramps last?

If you have severe or unusual menstrual cramps or cramps that last for more than two or three days, contact your healthcare provider. Both primary and secondary menstrual cramps can be treated, so it's important to get checked. First, you will be asked to describe your symptoms and menstrual cycles.

What is the best pain reliever for cramps?

For the best relief, take ibuprofen as soon as bleeding or cramping starts. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They reduce the output of prostaglandins. If you can’t take NSAIDs, you can take another pain reliever like acetaminophen.

How to prevent cramps from a sprained muscle?

To help prevent cramps, make exercise a part of your weekly routine. If these steps don’t relieve pain, your healthcare provider can order medications for you, including ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory medication in a higher dose that is available over the counter.

What is speculum in a doctor's exam?

During this exam, your provider inserts a speculum (an instrument that lets the provider see inside the vagina). The provider is able to examine your vagina, cervix and uterus. The doctor will feel for any lumps or changes. They may take a small sample of vaginal fluid for testing.

What organs do babies grow in?

The uterus, the muscular organ where a baby grows, contracts throughout your menstrual cycle. During menstruation, the uterus contracts more strongly. If the uterus contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels, cutting off the supply of oxygen to muscle tissue.

What is the effect of acetaminophen on the kidneys?

The excessive use of acetaminophen causes metabolites of the drug to bind to tissue groups in the kidney and liver , causing hepatotoxicity. B. The excessive use of acetaminophen causes pain and inflammation of the joints accompanied by elevated body temperature, which leads to rheumatic fever. C.

What is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are indicated for the chronic treatment of dysmenorrhea and for controlling the signs and symptoms of osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are approved for the relief of mild to moderate pain where opioids are not indicated or warranted. D.

Why is Petechia discolored?

B. Petechia is a small area of the skin or mucous membranes that is discolored because of localized hemorrhages. Why do aspirin-sensitive patients substitute aspirin with acetaminophen to relieve pain? A. Acetaminophen does not produce GI irritation or ulceration in therapeutic doses.

What are salicylates in the stomach?

B. Salicylates stimulate the mucopolysaccharides in the stomach causing hydrochloric acid erosion that leads to nausea and vomiting .

Is Febuxostat a purine analog?

C. Febuxostat is the first selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor that is not a purine analog. D. Febuxostat is metabolized by the kidney and excreted by the liver. C. Febuxostat is the first selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor that is not a purine analog. Select a correct statement about the uricosuric drug probenecid.

Does acetaminophen help with headaches?

A. Acetaminophen is effective against the pain of headache because it inhibits prostaglandin synthesis within the CNS but does not significantly inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins in peripheral systems, which accounts for the lack of anti-inflammatory activity.

Does acetaminophen cause hepatotoxicity?

None of the above are correct. A. The excessive use of acetaminophen causes metabolites of the drug to bind to tissue groups in the kidney and liver, causing hepatotoxicity. Select the drugs preferred for the treatment of acute gout attacks, relief of pain, and interruption of the inflammatory process.

Epidemiology

  • Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during menstruation, in the absence of other diseases such as endometriosis. Prevalence rates are as high as 90 percent. Initial presentation of primary dysmenorrhea typically occurs in adolescence. It is a common cause of absenteeism and reduced quality of life in women. The pr…
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Statistics

  • The problem of absenteeism from school or work is also underappreciated. In one study2 of college women, 42 percent of the study subjects reported absenteeism or loss of activity on at least one occasion, although only a small percentage of women missed work or school for a given monthly menstrual cycle. In several longitudinal studies of young women, rates of absenteeism r…
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Causes

  • The study2 concluded that several risk factors were associated with more severe episodes of dysmenorrhea: earlier age at menarche, long menstrual periods, smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption. Other studies have not found an association with obesity or alcohol, and these issues remain controversial.3,4,6 Another report, using a cross-sectional sample of 1,147 urban …
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Prevention

  • Data to substantiate the widely held view that menstrual pain diminishes after child-bearing are inconsistent. In one longitudinal study,4 there was evidence of a decreased prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea after parity, but other studies found no such effect.8,9 Overall, these epidemiologic studies provide some information for patient educat...
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Pathophysiology

  • The etiology of primary dysmenorrhea is not precisely understood, but most symptoms can be explained by the action of uterine prostaglandins, particularly PGF2α. During endometrial sloughing, the disintegrating endometrial cells release PGF2α as menstruation begins. PGF2α stimulates myometrial contractions, ischemia and sensitization of nerve endings. The clinical ev…
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Signs and symptoms

  • Primary dysmenorrhea usually presents during adolescence, within three years of menarche.11 It is unusual for symptoms to start within the first six months after menarche. Affected women experience sharp, intermittent spasms of pain, usually centered in the suprapubic area. Pain may radiate to the back of the legs or the lower back. Systemic symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrh…
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Diagnosis

  • A focused history and physical examination are usually sufficient to make the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea. The history reveals the typical cramping pain with menstruation, and the physical examination is completely normal. Secondary causes of dysmenorrhea must be excluded. Table 1 lists some of the circumstances in which the diagnosis of secondary dysmen…
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Risks

  • A detailed sexual history is essential to assess for the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Women with a previous history of PID, sexually transmitted diseases, multiple sexual partners or unprotected sex are at increased risk.
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Treatment

  • Most patients with primary dysmenorrhea show subjective improvement with NSAID treatment.10 Various studies report successful pain relief in 64 to 100 percent of subjects.9 These familiar drugs have a record of efficacy demonstrated by numerous studies over the past 15 years. Oral contraceptives provide another effective and well-studied choice for therapy, especially in wome…
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Medical uses

  • Oral contraceptives are the second line of therapy for most patients, unless birth control is also desired. The necessity of daily medication to prevent symptoms for one or two days a month makes them too cumbersome as a first-line choice compared with the highly effective NSAIDs. Oral contraceptives prevent menstrual pain through a different mechanism than NSAIDs. The ac…
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Prognosis

  • Because NSAIDs and oral contraceptives are so effective and work through different mechanisms, a combination of the two is a very attractive option in refractory cases. No consistent data demonstrate effectiveness rates for this combination, but it is probably at least 90 percent, given the previously stated rates of effectiveness for the individual treatments. Conseq…
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Contraindications

  • For reasons that are not clear, about 10 percent of women with primary dysmenorrhea do not respond to treatment with NSAIDs or oral contraceptives. In addition, some women have contraindications to these medications. Consequently, researchers have investigated numerous alternative treatments. Table 31728 lists therapies for nonresponders and indicates some of th…
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Academic career

  • ANDREW S. COCO, M.D., is associate director and coordinator of the obstetric curriculum at the family practice residency at Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital, and assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey. He received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, and complete…
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Resources

  • 1. Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87:558....
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