Prostaglandin inhibitors: rational therapy for dysmenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea affects at least 50% of women at some time in their lives. Painful contractions of the uterine muscle (similar to labor pains) are triggered by increased endometrial synthesis of prostaglandins, which appear in elevated amounts in the plasma and menstrual fluid of women with dysmenorrhea. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have been used for years in arthritis, are effective prostaglandin inhibitors. Taken by mouth at the onset of menstruation, they can relieve dysmenorrhea in the majority of cases. This is a major advantage for women in whom oral contraceptives are not indicated.