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THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Early diagnosis of dysmenorrhea is key to ensuring that adolescents and women can maintain their quality of life, according to a Committee Opinion published in the December issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology<\/i>.<\/p>\n
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Adolescent Health Care released a Committee Opinion to aid providers in diagnosing dysmenorrhea and its causes as early as possible so patients can successfully manage symptoms.<\/p>\n
Most adolescents experiencing dysmenorrhea have primary dysmenorrhea. When there is no clinical improvement within three to six months of therapy initiation, the treating obstetrician-gynecologist should investigate for possible secondary causes, including pelvic pathology or a medical condition. Endometriosis is the leading cause of secondary dysmenorrhea in adolescents but may present differently than in adult women. In adolescents, endometriosis is considered a chronic disease with potential for progression if left untreated. Therapy should be individualized, and goals should include symptom relief, suppression of disease progression, and protection of future fertility.<\/p>\n
“No matter the cause of dysmenorrhea, it has a profound effect on our patients’ lives, especially adolescent patients,” Committee Opinion author Geri Hewitt, M.D., said in a statement. “By quickly identifying and diagnosing dysmenorrhea, ob-gyns can help relieve patients’ pain and enable them to resume normal order in their lives.”<\/p>\n