Secondary dysmenorrhea

This code represents painful menstruation that is caused by an underlying, identifiable pelvic pathology or medical condition, rather than being a primary disorder of the uterus itself. It signifies menstrual pain that develops later in life, often after years of pain-free periods, and is typically associated with conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates dysmenorrhea secondary to another diagnosed gynecological condition. This code is appropriate when the patient's menstrual pain is directly attributed to a specific, identified cause. Supporting documentation should include a definitive diagnosis of the underlying condition responsible for the dysmenorrhea.

• Always code the underlying cause of the secondary dysmenorrhea first, followed by this code.
• Do not use this code for primary dysmenorrhea, which has no identifiable pelvic pathology.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly links the dysmenorrhea to a secondary condition; avoid assuming causality.