Dysmenorrhea is estimated to effect upwards of 70% of women during their lifetime and heavy
menstrual periods is one of the most frequently given reasons for hysterectomy in the United
States. Despite the dramatic growth of dysmenorrhea treatment with non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agents (NSADs) in the 1980s young women continue to go undiagnosed and under
treated. The diagnosis and management of heavy menstrual bleeding has even poorer general
understanding because of its more complicated etiologies. With a working knowledge of the
underlying pathophysiology all clinicians should be able to establish both the diagnosis and a
credible treatment plan that will result in a significant chance of clinical improvement for
most patients. This book addresses the pathophysiologic underpinnings of both dysmenorrhea and
menorrhagia and provides clinicians with practical approaches to establishing the diagnosis
proven tactics for successful therapeutic interventions and dealing with the challenging
atypical case and effective patient counseling. It teaches principles including the role
prostaglandins play in both conditions as well as procedures like surgical options and TENS
providing a balance of the practical and the esoteric. The inclusion of patient education and
counseling materials additionally increases its usefulness for the busy clinician. This is an
ideal guide for ob gyn clinicians residents and trainees caring for patients with these
common but often misunderstood diseases.
