Causes of primary dysmenorrhea are: Excess weight and it has been observed that women or girls who are overweight generally have painful menstruation. Smoking and alcohol consumption are also reasons for menstrual pain. Lack of proper physical exercise and stress also leads to painful menstruation. Causes of secondary dysmenorrhea are: Endometriosis where the tissue lining the uterus, called endometrium, can sometimes reside outside the uterine cavity (ovaries, Fallopian tubes, etc.). The endometrium is responsible for menstruation. Even when present in other nearby areas, endometrial tissue still acts as it does inside the uterus. This means it responds to hormonal changes, breaks apart and bleeds and causes pain. Fibromas is another cause. These benign tumors form and grow in the uterus or the ovaries. They cause pain during the menstrual flow. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a also a cause where bacterial infection of the uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries.
