PROSTAGLANDINS

Menstrual discharge has long been known to contain one or more muscle-stimulating substances. This effect leading to contraction of the uterus, has been shown to be due to prostaglandins. Primary dysmenorrhea is partly due to these contractions induced by prostaglandins. With the onset of menstruation, prostaglandins levels rise even higher. Thus mid-cycle dysmenorrhea (at the time of ovulation) is also probably due to higher prostaglandin production.