Dysmenorrhea

This code represents painful menstruation, characterized by cramping in the lower abdomen that may radiate to the back or thighs. It can be primary (without an underlying pelvic pathology) or secondary (due to an identifiable cause such as endometriosis or fibroids). The pain typically begins shortly before or during menses and can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states dysmenorrhea as the patient's primary complaint or diagnosis. This applies to both primary dysmenorrhea and when dysmenorrhea is a symptom of another condition, provided the underlying cause is not yet definitively diagnosed or is being coded separately. Documentation should describe the presence of painful menses.

• Do not use this code if the underlying cause of secondary dysmenorrhea (e.g., endometriosis, uterine fibroids) has been definitively diagnosed and is being coded.
• Consider sequencing this code as a secondary diagnosis if the primary reason for the encounter is the evaluation or treatment of an underlying condition causing the dysmenorrhea.
• Distinguish from abnormal uterine bleeding (e.g., menorrhagia, metrorrhagia) which focuses on bleeding patterns rather than pain.