title: Primary dysmenorrhea: assessment and management update.
abstract: Many women are familiar with the experience of dysmenorrhea, which can contribute to significant physical and emotional distress and life disruption. However, women may not seek professional expertise in their attempt to alleviate this condition. It is important to assess the beliefs and experiences of all women with dysmenorrhea, including adolescents, as early in gynecologic care as possible. This article reviews the management of primary dysmenorrhea. Midwives can provide valuable assistance to women in their explorations of the variety of treatment options available for the relief of dysmenorrhea, including lifestyle changes, complementary and alternative approaches, analgesics, and hormones.
authors.affiliation: Nurse-Midwifery Program of the University of Pennsylnvania Graduate School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104, USA. duraind@nursing.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Durain
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors