Dysmenorrhoea
Description General measures Medicine treatment Referral N94.4-6 DESCRIPTION Pain associated with menstrual cycles. In primary dysmenorrhoea there is no known cause. Secondary dysmenorrhoea usually has an organic cause. GENERAL MEASURES Advise and reassure women with primary dysmenorrhoea about the nature of the condition. Encourage patient to carry on with normal everyday activities. MEDICINE TR
Description
General measures
Medicine treatment
Referral
N94.4-6
DESCRIPTION
Pain associated with menstrual cycles. In primary dysmenorrhoea there is no known cause. Secondary dysmenorrhoea usually has an organic cause.
GENERAL MEASURES
- Advise and reassure women with primary dysmenorrhoea about the nature of the condition.
- Encourage patient to carry on with normal everyday activities.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
- Ibuprofen, oral, 400 mg 8 hourly with or after a meal as needed for 2 to 3 days.
ADD
- Combined oral contraceptive pill, if symptoms still problematic, and if pregnancy is not planned.
Treat for pelvic infection when present.
REFERRAL
- Poor response to treatment.
- If an organic cause is suspected, e.g. fibroids.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2025-9_Version 1.0_26 March 2026
Chapter 6: Obstetrics and Gynaecology_6.12 Dysmenorrhoea