Spontaneous Membranous Dysmenorrhea in an Adolescent Girl: A Case Report and Literature Review

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2015 Oct;28(5):e139-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2014.11.001. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Abstract

Background: Membranous dysmenorrhea is a rare entity. It involves the sloughing of the endometrium in 1 cylindrical or membranous piece, retaining the shape of the uterine cavity. Herein, we report the first case of spontaneous membranous dysmenorrhea in an adolescent girl.

Case: A 17-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency clinic with severe painful menstrual bleeding and passage of tissue via the vagina. Bloody endometrial tissue resembling the endometrial cavity expulsed from the vagina was seen on inspection. The pathologic diagnosis of the mass was membranous dysmenorrhea.

Summary and conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case of the spontaneous occurrence of membranous dysmenorrhea. The relationship between membranous dysmenorrhea and endogenous or exogenous progesterone should be investigated further. A review of the literature on membranous dysmenorrhea is presented.

Keywords: Adolescent; Decidual cast; Membranous dysmenorrhea; Uterine cast.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Dysmenorrhea / diagnosis
  • Dysmenorrhea / etiology*
  • Endometrium / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menstruation