"A Review of Dysmenorrhea and the Effectiveness of Varying Methods of Menstrual Relief"

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea refers to the painful cramps experienced during menstrual cycles typically observed in younger females of the reproductive age, often felt as a pain in the lower abdomen and that pain possibly radiating to the lower back and legs. The painful cramping sensation is considered to be brought by excess of prostaglandins and hormones that instruct the uterus to contract during menstruation. Several remedies exist including over-the-counter medications and supplements, herbal concoctions, novel therapies, and lifestyle changes. There exists both research into such relief methods and their effectiveness as well as a need for research and conversation into the effects of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea on daily life and their causes.