Abstract

Mahjabeen Naaz, Juzer Sabuwala, Ayesha Naaz, Heena Farheen and Dr. S. P. Srinivas Nayak*

ABSTRACT

Dysmenorrhea is termed as painful menstrual periods which are caused by uterine contractions which often reduce the quality of women’s life. Prostaglandins play a major role in the pathomechanism of dysmenorrhea. Leukotrienes have also been postulated to increase the sensitivity of pain fibers in the uterus. Considerable amounts of leukotrienes have been demonstrated in the endometria of women with primary dysmenorrhea. Potent prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, and leukotrienes, lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, are thought to play a key role in the inflammatory process during menstruation. These abnormal uterine contractions cause poor reperfusion and oxygenation, leading to the pain, and also cause prostaglandins and leukotrienes to be released into the systemic circulation, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. The intensity of menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms are linked to the amount of prostaglandins and leukotrienes released. Hence, there is a significant role of prostaglandins and leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of dysmenorrhea leading to pain. Therefore, the present work contains a review about the use of leukotriene antagonists in controlling the pain stimulus in women suffering with dysmennorhea.