What are the drugs for treating dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea, also known as menstrual pain, is mainly manifested as abdominal cramps accompanied by lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, headache or diarrhea, so timely treatment is very necessary. Currently, the main drugs used in clinical treatment of dysmenorrhea include the following:

1. Prostaglandin synthase inhibitors

It can inhibit the synthesis of endometrial prostaglandins, reduce the amplitude and frequency of uterine contractions, but does not affect the function of the pituitary-ovarian axis. The effective rate can reach about 70%. The best time to take the medicine is when pain symptoms begin to appear, when menstruation comes, or 1 to 2 days before the menstruation. The medicine can be taken continuously until the pain disappears. The commonly used drug is jiaozaomexin.

2. Steroid hormone contraceptives

The mechanism of action of combined hormonal contraceptives may be to relieve dysmenorrhea by reducing prostaglandin production and inhibiting ovulation, including short-acting oral contraceptives, long-acting oral contraceptives, etc.

3. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

It can reduce estrogen levels, shrink the endometrium, and reduce the production of prostaglandins. Although this type of drug can effectively treat dysmenorrhea, it has corresponding side effects and is mostly used to treat severe dysmenorrhea.

4. Beta-receptor agonists

It relieves dysmenorrhea by stimulating the beta receptors on the uterine endometrium to relax the uterine muscles, including hydroxymethylisobuterol, meta-isobuterol, etc.

5. Calcium channel blockers

It relieves smooth muscle contraction by interfering with the passage of calcium ions through cell membranes, thereby achieving the effect of treating dysmenorrhea. It mainly includes nifedipine, etc.