assessment of dysmenorrhoea
Last reviewed 01/2018
- full gynaecological history - with special attention to:
- onset of dysmenorrhoea and relation to menses
- intra-uterine contraceptive device - present ?
- dyspareunia, menorrhagia, or infertility ?
- general examination - including:
- bimanual pelvic examination / speculum examination
- look for polyps protruding through the cervical os and for enlargement, tenderness or fixity of the uterus or adnexa
- specialised investigations:
- laparoscopy
- dilatation and curettage
- hysteroscopy - to reveal endometrial polyps or submucous leiomyomas which may be missed on curettage; diagnostic hysteroscopy is often performed as an outpatient procedure