Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing - The Carter Center

Dysmenorrhea
Definition-Dysmenorrhea is painful menustration. Currently it
is recognized that the pain is due to the release of
prostaglandins (primarily PF2) in response to tissue
destruction, during the ischemic phase of the menustral cycle.
PF2 causes smooth muscle contraction in the uterus.
Dysmenorrhea is primary if it occurs in the absence of organic
disease; it is secondary if it occurs as a result of organic
disease.
Theraputic management: - Generally controlled by a
common analgesic such as acetylsalicylic acid (asprin) and
ibuprofen.
Menorrhagia
Definition-Menorrhagia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged
menustral flow.Usually accompanied by clots. It may occur in
girls close to puberty and in woman nearing menopause
because of unovulatory cycles.
Symptom: - It is difficult to determine when a flow is
abnormally heavy. If a pad or tampon is saturated in less than
an hour it indicates a heavy flow.
Refere the woman for further investigation
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