Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 3

Discuss the role of prostaglandins in mediating dysmenorrhea.

Step 1 of 2

Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation. Though dysmenorrhea is common during the first three years of menarche, the incidence is especially high in athletes. The main reason behind this is release of prostaglandins. During normal menstrual cycle, endometrium lines up the uterus when the ovum is released, to prepare for implantation after fertilization. However, when fertilization does not occur, the built-up uterine tissue is shed-off.