What is dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea specifically refers to the medical condition characterized by painful menstruation. This term is derived from Greek roots, where "dys" means difficult or painful, and "menorrhea" refers to the flow of menstruation. Individuals experiencing dysmenorrhea often describe cramping or sharp pain in the lower abdomen, which can occur just before or during the menstrual period.

In contrast, excessive menstrual bleeding is identified as menorrhagia, while painful ovulation, known as mittelschmerz, describes discomfort occurring during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. An irregular menstrual cycle refers to any variation in cycle timing or duration, which does not relate specifically to pain during menstruation. Understanding these definitions helps clarify why dysmenorrhea is specifically associated with painful menstruation.