The Gap between Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Available Treatment Strategies

Primary dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps are a common issue affecting many women of reproductive age, often leading to absenteeism, and interfering with daily activities. In our review we highlight that treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives have been developed, however, they are not always effective highlighting a gap between societal needs and available treatment options. We also note, that to uncover the mechanisms underlying painful contractions, in vitro systems and animal models have been used, but they have limitations and do not fully replicate the condition. Finally we suggest that a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate uterine contractions is needed to identify novel treatment approaches for dysmenorrhea.