Dysmenorrhea is a painful and commonly reported menstrual disorder that significantly impacts a woman’s quality of life. More than half of women who menstruate experience this condition.

There are 2 types of dysmenorrhea, primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea is a pain that comes from having a menstrual period or menstrual “cramps” and is caused from natural chemicals called prostaglandins.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a disorder in the reproductive system such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or infection.

There are a number of studies showing the effectiveness of chiropractic care for dysmenorrhea.

One study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (1) included 45 women with a history of dysmenorrhea. 24 of them were placed in a group that received spinal manipulation/adjustments, while 21 of them were placed in a group that received “sham” adjustments.

“Immediately after treatment, the perception of pain and the level of menstrual distress were significantly reduced by the chiropractic adjustment.”

Chiropractic care is an effective and safe non-pharmacological alternative for relieving the pain and
distress of primary dysmenorrhea.

Too much stress on the brain and nervous system can impact the health of the reproductive system and prevent it from functioning the way that it should.

Chiropractors, through chiropractic adjustments, reduce stress on the nervous system that could be impacting the function of the reproductive system and lead to things like dysmenorrhea.

If you or someone you know suffers from this condition, give our office a call to see how we can help.

1. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31
May 1992, 15(5):279-285 PMID: 1535359