Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective for dysmenorrhoea

January 01, 0001

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective for dysmenorrhoea

Clinical Question:How effective are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea?

Bottom line: Compared with placebo, NSAIDs are a highly effective treatment for dysmenorrhoea, though women using them need to be aware of the significant overall risk that they may cause adverse effects, such as indigestion, headaches or drowsiness. There is insufficient evidence to indicate whether any individual NSAID is more effective or safer than others. It appears NSAIDs are more effective than paracetamol, though there were only 3 relevant studies. Nineteen different types of cox-1 NSAIDs were evaluated in the included studies.

Context: Dysmenorrhoea is a common gynaecological problem, consisting of painful cramps accompanying menstruation, which in the absence of any underlying abnormality is known as primary dysmenorrhoea. Research has shown women with dysmenorrhoea have high levels of prostaglandins, hormones known to cause cramping abdominal pain. NSAIDs are drugs which act by blocking prostaglandin production.

Cochrane Systematic Review: Marjoribanks J et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Article No. CD001751. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001751.pub2. This review contains 73 studies involving 5156 participants.

Cochrane PEARLS Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations. No. 236, March 2010.
Written by Brian R McAvoy. Published by the Cochrane Primary Care Group

Category: X. Female Genital System, Breast. Keywords: dysmenorrhoea, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, therapy
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 6 July 2010

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Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.