Dysmenorrhea: Normal Physiology or Health Alert?

Dysmenorrhea is a physiological phenomenon that many women experience. However, what level of pain is normal? When should you seek medical help? These questions often confuse women.

As a gynecologist, I want to tell you: pain is a signal from your body, and learning to correctly interpret these signals is the first step in protecting your health.

In this article, I will detail 7 warning signs that require medical attention and provide practical assessment tools to help you make informed medical decisions.

  • How to distinguish between normal period pain and abnormal pain
  • 7 warning signs requiring immediate medical attention
  • Practical pain assessment and symptom self-check tools
  • Scientific medical decision-making guidance

Remember: your health - you have the right to understand and protect it.

Step 1: Quantify Your Pain Level

Pain is subjective, but we can quantify it through standardized assessment methods. The medical pain rating scale (0-10) can help you describe your symptoms more accurately.

Use the pain assessment tool below to honestly evaluate your pain level:

  • 0-3 points: Mild discomfort, doesn't affect daily activities
  • 4-6 points: Moderate pain, affects some daily activities

Please move the slider to select the value that best matches your pain level:

Identify 7 Warning Signs Requiring Medical Attention

The following symptom checklist is based on international gynecological association diagnostic criteria. Please carefully check if you have any of the following symptoms:

1

🚨 Emergency Signals: Seek Immediate Medical Care

Sudden Severe Pain: If pain suddenly intensifies to an unbearable level, it may indicate ovarian cyst rupture, torsion, or other acute gynecological conditions.

2

🩸 Abnormal Bleeding: High Alert

Abnormal Bleeding Pattern: Menstrual flow suddenly doubles or more, or large blood clots (diameter >2.5cm) appear, possibly indicating uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or coagulation disorders.

3

🤒 Systemic Symptoms: Cannot Be Ignored

Fever and Systemic Symptoms: Period pain accompanied by fever (>38°C), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue may indicate pelvic inflammation or infection.

4

⚡ Change in Pain Character

Sudden Change in Pain Pattern: Previously regular period pain suddenly becomes irregular, or the nature of pain changes significantly, requiring exclusion of organic disease.

5

🔴 Persistent Pain

Non-menstrual Pain: Pelvic pain also occurs during non-menstrual periods, possibly indicating endometriosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.

6

📈 Progressive Pain Worsening

Gradually Worsening Pain: Each menstrual pain episode is worse than the last, and pain medication becomes less effective, highly suspicious of endometriosis.

7

💊 Medication Ineffective

After proper use of NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) for 3 menstrual cycles, pain shows no significant improvement, requiring further investigation.

Important Reminder: If you have any emergency signal, seek immediate medical care. If you have 2 or more high-risk symptoms, seek medical attention within 48 hours.

Smart Medical Decision Tree: 3 Steps to Determine if Medical Care is Needed

Based on your symptom assessment results, use the decision tree below to determine whether medical care is needed and the urgency level:

Summary: Scientifically Manage Period Pain, Protect Women's Health

Period pain is not a 'fate' that women must endure. Proper assessment and timely medical intervention can significantly improve quality of life.

Through the assessment tools in this article, you've learned how to scientifically evaluate your own symptoms. Remember, any symptoms that concern you are worth consulting a professional doctor about.

Finally, I want to emphasize: caring for your body and listening to your body's signals is a life skill every woman should master.

Next Step Recommendations

If assessment results suggest seeing a doctor, don't delay. Prepare your symptom records, choose an appropriate appointment time, and proactively communicate your concerns with your doctor.