Dysmenorrhea describes painful menstrual cramps. During menstruation, the uterine lining is shed, which causes bleeding and pain. There are two types of dysmenorrhea, primary dysmenorrhea, which is severe and frequent cramping during your menstruation from your very first period onwards, and secondary dysmenorrhea, where the pain is related to another condition such as endometriosis.
Sources:
- John Hopkins Medicine. Dysmenorrhea. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dysmenorrhea (accessed 1. August 2020).
- Mayo Clinic. Menstrual cramps. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/symptoms-causes/syc-20374938 (accessed 1. August 2020).
- Healthline. What Causes Painful Menstrual Periods and How Do I Treat Them? https://www.healthline.com/health/painful-menstrual-periods (accessed 1. August 2020)
