Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps) can occur in any woman from their first menstrual period (menarche) until menopause. The pain usually begins from hours before to just after onset of bleeding and typically lasts between 48 and 72 hours. Dysmenorrhea is one of the most frequently encountered gynecological complaints affecting between 52 and 90% of post pubescent women, corresponding to between 10 and 60 million women in EU, US and Japan. It is recognized as an important personal and public health problem for many women of childbearing age. Current therapies (i.e. NSAIDs and oral contraceptives) are not completely effective for all women and sometimes do not provide satisfactory relief of symptoms, particularly in women with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea.