Differential response by adolescents to naproxen sodium therapy for spasmodic and congestive dysmenorrhea

The purpose of this study was to determine whether adolescents with "spasmodic" dysmenorrhea (SD) versus "congestive" dysmenorrhea (CD) respond differently to naproxen sodium therapy. Forty-five females ages 12-18 years were pretested and randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to one of five treatment regimens of various dosages of naproxen sodium and placebo. Subjects were posttested at one, two, and three months. Subjects with initial Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) scores of >- 76 were classified as SD (n=28) and those with scores of <-75 were classified as CD (n=17). Subjects with SD had a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in MSQ scores after the first month of naproxen sodium therapy. By the second month, the degree of reduction was associated with a loading dose of 550 mg of naproxen sodium. Subjects with CD had a dose-related (p≤0.05) response to naproxen sodium therapy that appeared to be influenced by other factors. At the first month follow-up, greater post menarchal age and parents' education were associated with increased symptom relief following naproxen sodium therapy (p≤0.05). At the second month, CD subjects with increased life crisis events and lower self-concepts had more severe symptoms following naproxen sodium therapy (p<0.05). Our subjects with SD symptoms had a greater response to naproxen sodium therapy than those with CD symptoms.