Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0000737 (abdominal pain)
 31,184 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Dysmenorrhea means not only uterine pain in the lower abdomen and back, but in many cases headaches, depression, perspiration, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, mostly during the first 12-48 hours of menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea begins at a young age, and some investigators have stated that 50% all of women suffer from dysmenorrhea. No gynecological cure has been found. The socioeconomic consequences are substantial due to absences from school and work. It was previously believed that dysmenorrhea was caused by hormonal imbalance, but there is now evidence that it could be caused by prostaglandins in the menstrual blood. When prostaglandins are administered, the aforementioned side effects of dysmenorrhea are experienced. Since the 1960s, oral contraceptives (OCs) have been administered with success. If for some reason OCs are not advisable, there are very few effective alternatives. Dydrogesterone, a retroprogesterone derivative, does not slow down ovulation, but has to be taken for several weeks of the month just like the pill. Several inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis are available, but naproxene is the best. It is the longest acting, requiring administration only 2 times/day. It works immediately and can be taken when needed. Because it is used only when needed, there is a minimm of side effects from long-term use. It should not be used by women under 16 years of age. Side effects of all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The use of calcium is also advised and warrants further study.
 ...
PMID:[Primary dysmenorrhea: current insights in etiology and treatment]. 642 13