Intensity Of Dysmenorrhea Research Articles

Long-term oral contraceptive pills and postoperative pain management after laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate postoperative long-term cyclic and continuous administration of combined oral contraceptive (OC) pills in preventing endometriosis-related pain recurrence. Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Tertiary care university hospital. Three hundred eleven women who underwent laparoscopic excision for symptomatic ovarian endometrioma. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: nonuser group receiving no therapy, and cyclic user group and continuous user group receiving low-dose, monophasic OC pills for 24 months in either cyclic or continuous administration. Presence and intensity of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain were assessed by a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. A significant reduction in recurrence rate and VAS scores for dysmenorrhea was evident in the continuous users versus the other groups at 6 months, and in cyclic users versus nonusers at 18 months postoperatively. No significant differences in recurrence rate and VAS scores for dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain were demonstrated among the groups. The increase of VAS scores from 6-24 months during the study period for dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain was significantly higher in nonusers than in the other groups. Long-term postoperative use of OC pills can reduce the frequency and the severity of recurrent endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea.

Skipping breakfast adversely affects menstrual disorders in young college students

In the present study we conducted a questionnaire survey to examine the relationship between dietary habits and menstrual disorders in young women. Subjects were recruited from 315 college students and were classified as: Group I, eating breakfast; Group II, skipping breakfast; Group III, not eating fast foods; Group IV, eating fast foods; Group V, not eating processed foods; and Group VI, eating processed foods. The intensity of dysmenorrhea was scored using three grades. All participants were further divided into groups based on having regular or irregular menstruation, having premenstrual symptoms or not, and self-perception of good or poor general health. General health was poor in Groups II and VI, and dysmenorrhea scores were high in Groups II, IV and VI. The incidence of irregular menses was also high in Group II. However, there was no apparent relation between premenstrual symptoms and dietary habits. These findings suggest that skipping breakfast adversely affects menstrual disorders in young college students.

Young Japanese College Students with Dysmenorrhea Have High Frequency of Irregular Menstruation and Premenstrual Symptoms

In this study, to estimate the current status of young women with menstrual disorders, the relation among dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation and premenstrual symptoms was investigated by a questionnaire. Subjects ranging from 18 to 20 years old were recruited from 522 female students at Ashiya College in Japan. The intensity of dysmenorrhea was classified into 3 grades (score 1, not requiring analgesic; score 2, painful, requiring analgesic; score 3, painful, not relieved by analgesic). All participants were further divided into subsequent groups as having premenstrual symptoms or not and those having regular or irregular menstruation. Dysmenorrhea scores in the students with premenstrual symptoms or irregular menstruation were significantly higher than those without these symptoms (1.66±0.66 vs 1.41±0.59; 1.62±0.68 vs 1.49±0.61, respectively). There was no significant relation in the incidence between premenstrual symptoms and irregular menstruation. These findings suggest that considerable numbers of young women with dysmenorrhea are associated with premenstrual symptoms.

Evaluation of Serum CA 125 Levels in Patients with Pelvic Pain Related to Endometriosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical value of the serum CA 125 level for diagnosing and determining the severity of endometriosis and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Eighty-six women who underwent operative laparoscopy were enrolled. Sixty-nine women with endometriosis and 17 without endometriosis participated in this study. In all of the patients, endometriosis was diagnosed and classified into stages according to the Revised American Fertility Society (R-AFS) classification. The mean serum CA 125 levels were determined in each patient. We also investigated the relationship between serum CA 125 concentration and the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia in the study group. The mean serum CA 125 levels of women with endometriosis were higher than those of the control group (p<0.050). However, the mean serum CA 125 levels were higher in stage IV than in other stages of endometriosis according to the R-AFS classification. On the other hand, the percentage of patients with serum CA 125 levels >35 U/mL was elevated in the subgroups with severe dyspareunia and severe dysmenorrhea versus the asymptomatic subgroup but the differences had no statistical significance. In conclusion, CA 125 serum levels were related to endometriosis and R-AFS score in the evaluated patient series. No correlation was found between serum levels of CA 125 and pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.

Letrozole and norethisterone acetate in rectovaginal endometriosis

This open-label prospective study evaluated the efficacy of letrozole (2.5 mg/day) combined with norethisterone acetate (2.5 mg/day) in the treatment of pain symptoms related to the presence of rectovaginal endometriosis. The treatment significantly and quickly decreased the intensity of symptoms, but pain recurred at 3-month follow-up; five women underwent surgery during the follow-up, and histologic examination of rectovaginal nodules revealed the presence of active endometriotic lesions.

Evaluation of serum CA 125 levels in patients with pelvic pain related to endometriosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical value of the serum CA 125 level for diagnosing and determining the severity of endometriosis and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Eighty-six women who underwent operative laparoscopy were enrolled. Sixty-nine women with endometriosis and 17 without endometriosis participated in this study. In all of the patients, endometriosis was diagnosed and classified into stages according to the Revised American Fertility Society (R-AFS) classification. The mean serum CA 125 levels were determined in each patient. We also investigated the relationship between serum CA 125 concentration and the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia in the study group. The mean serum CA 125 levels of women with endometriosis were higher than those of the control group (p<0.050). However, the mean serum CA 125 levels were higher in stage IV than in other stages of endometriosis according to the R-AFS classification. On the other hand, the percentage of patients with serum CA 125 levels >35 U/mL was elevated in the subgroups with severe dyspareunia and severe dysmenorrhea versus the asymptomatic subgroup but the differences had no statistical significance. In conclusion, CA 125 serum levels were related to endometriosis and R-AFS score in the evaluated patient series. No correlation was found between serum levels of CA 125 and pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.

Diet during adolescence is a trigger for subsequent development of dysmenorrhea in young women

Recently many young women in Japan have been restricting their dietary intake for cosmetic purposes. In this study, the relation between diet and menstrual disorders was investigated by responses to a questionnaire.Subjects ranging from 18 to 20 years old were recruited from 716 female students at Ashiya College. Dietary habits were classified into group I (having no experience with dieting), group II (those currently on a diet) and group III (those with a history of dieting). The intensity of dysmenorrhea was classified into three grades. All participants were divided into two groups as having regular or irregular menstruation.The frequency of irregular menstruation in group II was higher than that in the other groups, while group III had higher intensity of dysmenorrhea than the other groups. These findings suggest that diet during adolescence has long-lasting adverse effects on reproductive function in young women.

Effects of SP-6 Acupressure on Dysmenorrhea, Skin Temperature of CV2 Acupoint and Temperature, in the College Students

The purpose of this study was to identify effects of the SP-6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea, the skin temperature of the CV2 acupoint and oral temperatures in the college students. Data was collected from May 1 to August 31, 2002. A total of 58 students from two universities participated in the study. Both groups were pretested before the intervention for three variables', the intensity of dysmenorrhea, skin temperature of the CV2 acupoint and oral temperature. Then, SP-6 acupressure was provided for 20 minutes for students in the experimental group. The instruments used in this study included the Visual Analogue Scale developed by Johnson & Rice(1974), Menstrual Attitudes Questionnaire Scale developed by Brooks-Gunn & Ruble(1980), and a Stress scale developed by Cheun and Kim(1991). There were statistically significant differences in the intensity of dysmenorrhea 30 minutes after the intervention. The experimental group had a lower intensity than the control group. There were not statistically significant differences in skin temperature of the CV2 acupoint and oral temperature 30 minutes after the intervention with the experimental group. SP-6 acupressure reduced the subjective perception of dysmenorrhea.

Effects of SP-6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea, cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the college students

The purpose of this study was to identify effects of the SP-6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea, and level of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the college students. Data were collected from May 1 to August 31, 2002. A total of 58 students from two universities participated in the study. Both groups were pretested before the intervention for three variables, the intensity of dysmenorrhea, level of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Then, SP-6 acupressure was provided for 20 minutes for students in the experimental group. The instruments used in this study included the Visual Analogue Scale developed by Johnson(1974), Menstrual Attitudes Questionnaire Scale developed by Brooks-Gunn & Ruble(1980), and Stress scale developed by Cheun and Kim(1990). There were statistically significant differences in the intensity of dysmenorrhea at the time immediately after, 30 minutes after, one hour after, and two hours after the intervention. The experimental group had a lower intensity than the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in level of norepinephrine at the time 30 minutes after the intervention with the experimental group. The SP-6 acupressure reduced the subjective perception of dysmenorrhea and the levels of norepinephrine. It was found out that the lasting period of 20 minutes of the SP-6 acupressure was two hours for college students.

Skipping breakfast is associated with dysmenorrhea in young women in Japan

To evaluate the effects of breakfast habits on the quality of life in young women in Japan, the relation between breakfast habits and menstrual and intestinal disorders was estimated by responses to a questionnaire. Subjects were recruited from young Japanese female students of Ashiya College ranging in age from 18 to 20 years. Breakfast habits were classified into three groups (group I, having breakfast every morning, n=289; group II, having breakfast one to six times per week, n=106; group III, having breakfast less than once a week, n=44). The intensity of dysmenorrhea was classified into three grades (score 1, free of pain or painful, but without need for analgesic; score 2, painful, requiring analgesic; score 3, painful, not relieved by analgesic). The grades of bowel movement were classified into three groups (score 1, no more than once a week; score 2, two to six times a week; score 3, every day). Group II and group III had significantly higher scores for dysmenorrhea compared with group I. Students in group III showed a tendency toward constipation. Since dysmenorrhea is a risk factor for psychological disorders as well as gynecological diseases, the present study suggests the importance of eating breakfast to the quality of life of young women.

A comparison of the cycle control and tolerability of two ultra low-dose oral contraceptives containing 20 μg ethinylestradiol and either 150 μg desogestrel or 75 μg gestodene

Objective To compare the cycle control and tolerability of two oral contraceptives containing 20 μg ethinylestradiol and either 150 μg desogestrel or 75 μg gestodene.Methods A randomized, multicenter study was conducted in which 1016 healthy adult women received the desogestrel (n = 509) or the gestodene (n = 507) preparation for six treatment cycles.Results No significant differences in bleeding patterns were detected between the two treatments. The incidence and duration of irregular bleeding decreased markedly, and to a similar extent, during each treatment. The occurrence of irregular bleeding per cycle decreased from 24.6 to 9.4% in the desogestrel group and from 19.7 to 8.6% in the gestodene group. Its duration fell from 1.1 to 0.2 days and from 0.9 to 0.3 days, respectively. There was a consistently low incidence of amenorrhea (1.0–2.8%). There were no significant differences between treatments for the incidence, intensity or emergence of dysmenorrhea. During both treatments, the incidence of premenstrual syndrome and complaints such as breast tenderness, nausea and headache dropped markedly.Conclusion Ultra low-dose oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene offer equivalent, good cycle control and improvements in dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome and have similar, excellent tolerability profiles.

Efficacy of Laparoscopic Pelvic Denervation in Central-Type Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Multicenter Study

ABSTRACT Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic pelvic denervation (uterosacral resection or presacral neurectomy) for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain with a predominant central-type localization in women with endometriosis or with no visible pathology. In a retrospective analysis performed in six centers, we evaluated the data relative to 58 patients with midline pelvic pain laparoscopically treated, with a follow-up of at least 6 months including a quantitative pain assessment. The distribution of types of pain (dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, and pelvic pain not related to menses or coitus) was not different among stage I–II endometriosis, stage III–IV endometriosis, and no visible pathology, except that deep dyspareunia was significantly (p < 0.05) less frequent in the absence of visible pathology than in moderate to severe endometriosis. Both types of laparoscopic denervations significantly (p < 0.001) reduced after 6 months the intensity of midline dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and d...

Dysmenorrhea is related to the number of implants in endometriosis patients

To determine whether the symptoms of endometriosis were related to the number and/or location of endometrial implants and the number and/or location of adhesions. Prospective, double-blind study. Seventy consecutive female surgical patients undergoing diagnostic and operative laparoscopy for pain, infertility, or both. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire one day before laparoscopy. The number, type, and location of endometrial implants and the number, type, and location of adhesions were evaluated during laparoscopy. These were compared with the type and severity of endometriosis symptoms as reported by patients. The total number of ectopic endometrial implants was associated directly with the intensity of dysmenorrhea experienced by patients in the 60 days before operative laparoscopy (n = 47). Patients with low pain scores had significantly fewer implants than patients with high pain scores. The intensity of menstrual pain is related to the number of endometrial implants in patients with endometriosis.