The pain can be dull or throbbing usually in the lower abdomen or pelvis. It may start several days before menstruation or may accompany it. The intensity of pain varies from woman to woman. It can be mild or severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Dysmenorrhea can be primary or secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea - refers to menstrual pain that does not involve any physical abnormality. The pain is not related to any specific problems with the uterus or other pelvic organs.

Secondary dysmenorrhea - is menstrual pain that is attributed to some underlying physical cause such as Endometriosis, Pelvic inflammatory disease or Uterine fibroids.

Menstruation has always been a point of much discussion among various communities in the world and the start of menstruation is often associated with religious rituals.

"On the approach of a woman in this state, must will become sour, seeds which are touched by her become sterile, grass withers away, garden plants are parched up, and the fruit will fall from the tree beneath which she sits." Pliny