Diagnosis of Periods, painful

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In most cases a diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhoea will be obvious because of the timing and nature of the pains.

Your GP may wish to rule out other conditions. Period pains can sometimes be the result of an underlying gynaecological condition e.g. endometriosis, adhesions, fibroids, infection of the uterus (pelvic infection), or pelvic inflammatory disease. This is medically called secondary dysmenorrhoea.

You should see your GP if your symptoms change e.g. pain lasts longer or is more severe, there is pain between your periods, there is bleeding between your periods or bleeding is excessively heavy. Your doctor may refer you to a gynaecologist for tests in hospital e.g.:

an ultrasound scan,
a laparoscopy - a small telescope is passed through a cut in the abdomen wall,
or a hysteroscopy - a small telescope is passed through the cervix (neck of the womb)

if an underlying gynaecological condition appears to be causing your symptoms.

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