Dysmenorrhea is pelvic pain during a menstrual period. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, it can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month.

When to seek medical advice

If you've started menstruating within the past few years and are experiencing cramps, chances are your menstrual pain is primary dysmenorrhea and not a cause for concern. However, if cramping disrupts your life for several days a month or if you're older and just started experiencing severe menstrual cramps, see your doctor. If you have secondary dysmenorrhea, pinpointing the underlying cause is the first step to successful treatment.

Screening and diagnosis

Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam. During the pelvic exam, your doctor will check for any abnormalities in your reproductive organs and look for indications of infection.

To rule out other causes of your symptoms or to identify the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea, your doctor may request diagnostic tests, such as:

• Imaging tests. Noninvasive tests that enable your doctor to look for abnormalities inside your pelvic cavity include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• Laparoscopy. This surgical procedure involves your doctor viewing your pelvic cavity by making tiny incisions in your abdomen and inserting a fiber-optic tube with a small camera lens.

• Hysteroscopy. In this procedure, your doctor inserts an instrument through your vagina and your cervical canal to examine your cervical canal and the inside of your uterus.