Flurbiprofen for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

Following the demonstration that increased prostaglandin F2 alpha production causes pain similar to dysmenorrhea, and the finding that prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors are capable of relieving menstrual pain, the early theory of uterine ischemia has once again gained support as the most likely explanation for this condition. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 30 of 43 women with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea who completed the trial preferred flurbiprofen (Ansaid, Upjohn), a potent new analgesic/anti-inflammatory agent (50 mg four times daily), to aspirin (650 mg four times daily) and placebo. Flurbiprofen was also rated superior to aspirin and placebo in the degree of pain relief. An algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of 90 percent of women with primary dysmenorrhea is presented.