What causes dysmenorrhoea?
The lower abdominal pain experienced by many women during their periods is caused by the muscles of the womb contracting. Hormonal changes at the time of menstruation are responsible for this. The level of prostaglandin, a natural hormone produced by cells in the womb lining, increases in the second half of the menstrual cycle. This causes the womb to contract more strongly and more often than usual, resulting in pain. Significantly higher prostaglandin levels have been found in the menstrual fluid of women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea compared with other women. One of the most common causes of secondary dysmenorrhoea is endometriosis. This is a condition in which cells of the womb lining are found outside the womb as well as inside, usually resulting in severe pain in the abdominal area at the time of menstruation. Fibroids are growths (usually non-cancerous) that may develop in the womb – these can also cause pain and heavy bleeding during periods. Both of these conditions may r
