dysmenorrhea

noun

dys·​men·​or·​rhea (ˌ)dis-ˌme-nə-ˈrē-ə 

: painful menstruation

dysmenorrheic

(ˌ)dis-ˌme-nə-ˈrē-ik 

adjective

Examples of dysmenorrhea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 11 June 2025

Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by highly active prostaglandins, the chemicals that cause the uterus to contract during the menstrual cycle, Amies Oelschlager said. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

May Ease Menstrual Cramps and Joint Pain Ginger has been found to be helpful for managing dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) and reducing menstrual pain. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024

Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by womb muscle contractions, while secondary dysmenorrhea refers to pain caused by underlying conditions, such as fibroids or polyps, with severe pain often indicating chronic conditions like endometriosis. —Alicia Lansom, refinery29.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from dys- dys- + menorrhea, menorrhoea "menstrual flow," from meno- meno- + -rrhea, rrhoea -rrhea

First Known Use

circa 1810, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dysmenorrhea

• atypia
• castanea
• cinerea
• cytherea
• diarrhea
• diarrhoea
• dulcinea
• eimeria
• eulalia
• galatea
• galleria
• gonorrhea

Medical Definition

dysmenorrhea

noun

dys·​men·​or·​rhea

variants or chiefly British dysmenorrhoea

(ˌ)dis-ˌmen-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: painful menstruation see spasmodic dysmenorrhea

dysmenorrheic adjective

or chiefly British dysmenorrhoeic

-ˈrē-ik