What condition is characterized by painful menstruation?

Dysmenorrhea is the condition characterized by painful menstruation. It refers to the cramps and discomfort that many women experience during their menstrual cycle, which can result from the physiological processes involved in menstruation, such as the shedding of the uterine lining and the contraction of the uterus. This condition can vary in intensity and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, headaches, or fatigue.

In contrast, amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation, whether due to natural causes like pregnancy or hormonal issues. Oligomenorrhea refers to infrequent menstrual periods, typically defined as more than 35 days between cycles, which does not inherently involve pain. Menorrhagia describes heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstruation, but it does not specifically denote painful menstruation. Thus, dysmenorrhea is distinctly identified as the condition that directly pertains to menstrual pain.