Effect of ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and paracetamol on intrauterine pressure and menstrual pain in dysmenorrhoea

The effects of ibuprofen (400 mg), naproxen sodium (250 mg) and paracetamol (500 mg) on intrauterine pressure and menstrual pain was assessed in 12 women with dysmenorrhoea in a double-blind parallel study. Intrauterine pressure was recorded with a microtransducer catheter for 4 h and resting pressure, active pressure, frequency of pressure cycles and the area under the curve were analysed in 30-min periods. Ibuprofen, in a single oral dose of 400 mg, significantly reduced resting pressure, active pressure, the frequency of pressure cycles and the area under the curve and this was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity. Neither paracetamol nor naproxen sodium effected significant changes in intrauterine pressure or pain score.