Primary dysmenorrhea and its effect on quality of life in young girls

without any organic pathology.[3] The onset of primary dysmenorrhea is usually at or shortly after menarche, when ovulatory cycles are established. Women with primary dysmenorrhea have a greater endometrial production of prostaglandins compared with asymptomatic women.[4] Primary dysmenorrhea is an important clinical cause in young girls for work absenteeism, thus having negative effect on QoL. The World Health Organization defined health as being not only the absence of disease and infirmity but also the presence of physical, mental, and social well-being.[5] QoL is defined as a subjective phenomenon based on individual perception, experiences, beliefs, and expectations.[6] Nowadays, QoL has become an issue in many clinical studies.[7] Severe dysmenorrhea pain is associated with restriction of activity and absence from school/college or workplace. Participation in usual activities is adversely affected in 5–20% of the women.[8] Pain poses a unique challenge for outcomes research because of the central importance of patientcentered and patient-reported information. The diagnosis may be overlooked, and the impact of primary dysmenorrhea has been poorly studied; mainly, the studies have focused on Western populations.[9] Abstract