The bigger picture

Dysmenorrhoea is a very common female health complaint, affecting anything from 16-91 per cent of menstruating women, according to NICE. Despite this prevalence, and the fact that it can have a considerable impact on everyday life in terms of affecting attendance at school or work, surprisingly few women seek medical advice, preferring self-management instead. Unlike primary dysmenorrhoea, secondary dysmenorrhoea affects older women, and is generally caused by a gynaecological condition such as endometriosis, fibroids or polyps, so it warrants further investigation.