Menstrual Pain (Dysmenorrhea): Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target

Improvement of symptomatology.

Depending on the exact cause, various therapeutic measures may be indicated:

In primary dysmenorrhea, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapeutic measures are the primary treatment options:
- Analgesics (painkillers): NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), e.g., ibuprofen.
- Spasmolytics (antispasmodic drugs), e.g., butylscopolamine.
- Estrogen-progestin combinations or progestins, if there is no desire to have children or if contraception is desired.
The therapy of organically caused, secondary dysmenorrhea eg. Uterus myomatosus (benign neoplasm of the woman originating from the muscles (myoma) of the uterus (uterus)), endometriosis (occurrence of endometrium (endometrium) extrauterine (outside the uterine cavity), for example, in or on the ovaries (ovaries), the tubes (fallopian tubes), the urinary bladder or the intestine) is based on the cause of the underlying condition, in addition to pain therapeutic measures.

In addition to drug therapy, supportive measures such as gymnastics or heat applications should still be used (see also under “Further therapy”).

Phytotherapeutics

Ginger powder (0.75-2 g)
Mode of action: Gingerols from ginger roots inhibit the expression of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Shoagols target ion channels that are significant in pain medicine.
Analysis of 7 controlled studies suggests that ginger powder may relieve pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Suitable dietary supplements should contain the following vital substances:

Vitamins (vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopherol)).
Fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)).

Note: The listed vital substances are not a substitute for drug therapy.