Dysmenorrhea and Endometriosis: Diagnosis and Management in Adolescents

Geri Hewitt
Clinical obstetrics and gynecology · 2020 · vol. 63(3) , pp. 536–543 · doi:10.1097/grf.0000000000000540 · PMID:32366763 · W3023820356
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This paper reviews the diagnosis and management of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis in adolescents, detailing empiric treatments for primary dysmenorrhea and further evaluation for persistent symptoms, which may indicate endometriosis.

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Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is common in adolescents. Most have primary dysmenorrhea and respond to empiric treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or hormonal therapies. Infrequently, patients have persistent symptoms requiring further evaluation including a pelvic examination, ultrasonography, and/or diagnostic laparoscopy. The most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea in adolescents is endometriosis. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, inflammatory condition with no surgical or medical cure. Treatment is individualized and typically includes surgical diagnosis with resection and/or ablation limited to visible lesions followed by hormonal suppressive therapy in an attempt to relieve symptoms, limit disease progression, and protect fertility. Multidisciplinary attention to comorbidities and pain management as well as patient education and support are important.

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Condition tags

dysmenorrheaendometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Adolescent Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal Female Gynecological Examination Gynecological Examination Gynecologic Surgical Procedures Gynecologic Surgical Procedures

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (24)

Cited by (14)

Source provenance

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK