Period pain has a reason

Dysmenorrhea Relief in Gangnam, Seoul, by finding the cause of your pain

Dysmenorrhea is the medical name for painful periods. It is primary when no disease is behind it, and secondary when a condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids causes the pain. At Sinsoe Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, a female OB-GYN checks which type you have with a pelvic exam and ultrasound in the same room. An English-speaking coordinator stays with you throughout.

Book on WhatsApp +82-10-9517-5719
  • Ultrasound same visit
  • All-female doctors
  • Fibroid & adenomyosis center
  • Self-pay for visitors
  • 4 min from Eonju Station, Exit 7
  • 2 types primary and secondary dysmenorrhea
  • 5 female doctors on one team
  • EN English coordinator from booking to results
  • 8 PM evening clinic on Mondays & Fridays
The basics

What is dysmenorrhea?

Primary dysmenorrhea usually starts in the teenage years, soon after periods begin. The uterus makes chemicals called prostaglandins that make its muscle squeeze. The pain is worst on the first 1 to 3 days and often gets milder with age.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is pain caused by a condition in the pelvis. It often starts later in life, gets worse over the years, or lasts longer than the bleeding. Common causes are endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids.

Knowing the type matters. Primary pain usually responds well to medicine. Secondary pain gets better when the cause is treated.

Possible causes What can cause secondary dysmenorrhea

  • Endometriosis, tissue like the womb lining outside the uterus
  • Adenomyosis, lining tissue growing into the uterine muscle
  • Fibroids or polyps
  • Ovarian cysts such as endometriomas
  • Pelvic infection (PID)
  • A copper IUD in some women

Looking for quick home relief?

Which type?

Primary or secondary: signs to compare

Your doctor confirms the type with an exam and ultrasound, but the pattern of your pain is a strong clue.

Primary

Often no disease behind it

  • Started within a few years of your first period
  • Cramps on the first 1 to 3 days of bleeding
  • Pain eases with ibuprofen or similar medicine
  • Pelvic exam and ultrasound are normal
Secondary

Worth looking for a cause

  • Pain started after age 25 or is getting worse each year
  • Pain before the period, or lasting after it
  • Pain during sex or with bowel movements
  • Heavy bleeding, or trouble getting pregnant
  • Painkillers no longer help
Get seen the same day if you have:
  • Sudden, severe pelvic pain, especially on one side
  • Pain with fever or unusual discharge
  • Pain with a positive pregnancy test

Message us on WhatsApp straight away. If it is an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Treatment

Treatment options for painful periods

Your plan depends on the type of dysmenorrhea, how much it affects your life, and whether you want to get pregnant.

Pain medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) block prostaglandins. They work well when started at the first sign of your period.

Primary pain

Hormonal treatment

The pill, a progestogen or a hormonal IUD such as Mirena can make periods lighter and less painful.

Both types

Treating the cause

HIFU or radiofrequency ablation for fibroids and adenomyosis, sclerotherapy for endometriomas, or laparoscopy for endometriosis.

Secondary pain
Step by step

Your painful-period check in Seoul

The goal of the first visit is to find out whether something is causing your pain.

  1. 1 Message us in English On WhatsApp. Tell us when the pain started and how it affects your days.
  2. 2 Check in on 2F Bring your passport or Alien Registration Card and a list of medicines you take.
  3. 3 Talk with your doctor A female OB-GYN asks about the timing, strength and pattern of your pain.
  4. 4 Exam and ultrasound A gentle pelvic exam and a pelvic ultrasound to look for fibroids, adenomyosis or cysts.
  5. 5 Your plan Your doctor explains the type of dysmenorrhea and the treatment options. MRI may be advised for some cases.
Reception desk on the 2nd floor of Sinsoe Women's Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul
Check in at reception on the 2nd floor.
Female OB-GYN at her desk beside an ultrasound machine, Sinsoe Women's Clinic Seoul
Ultrasound in the same exam room as your consultation.
Before your visit

Keep a pain diary

  • Which cycle days hurt, and how much (0 to 10)
  • Which painkillers you take and whether they help
  • Pain during sex, bowel movements or passing urine
  • How heavy your bleeding is
Timing

When to book

You can come at any point in your cycle. Some findings, like ovarian cysts, are easier to judge at certain times, so your doctor may ask you to come back for a second scan.

If you are in pain right now, tell us. We try to see you soon.

Common causes

Endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids compared

These three conditions are the most common reasons for secondary dysmenorrhea. They can also appear together.

Endometriosis Lining-like tissue outside the uterus

Pain before and during periods, pain with sex. Can affect fertility. Treated with hormones or laparoscopy. See endometriosis treatment.

Adenomyosis Lining tissue inside the uterine wall

A large, tender uterus with heavy, painful periods. Hormones, a hormonal IUD or HIFU can help.

Fibroids Benign muscle growths in the uterus

Heavy bleeding, pressure and cramps. Options include HIFU, RF ablation and fibroid removal.

Ovarian endometrioma A cyst filled with old blood

Can be drained with sclerotherapy, which keeps the ovary. See ovarian cyst treatment.

Every treatment has side effects. Hormones can cause spotting or mood change, and procedures carry small risks such as infection or bleeding. Your doctor explains them before you decide.

Doctor's hand pointing to a uterus model during a dysmenorrhea consultation in Gangnam, Seoul
Your doctor shows where the problem is on a model.
Expats & visitors

Getting help for painful periods in Korea as a foreigner

Whether you live here or are staying for a short time, you can get a clear answer in English.

If you live in Korea

Long-term follow-up

Endometriosis and adenomyosis need regular checks. We keep your scans so changes are easy to compare.

If you are visiting

A second opinion in one visit

Bring earlier scans or reports. Your doctor can review them together with a new ultrasound.

If you need paperwork

English reports

Ask for an English ultrasound report or medical certificate for your doctor or insurer at home.

Ask us on WhatsApp Guide for international patients
Quick answers

Dysmenorrhea: common questions

Where can I get dysmenorrhea treatment in Gangnam with an English-speaking doctor?

Sinsoe Women's Clinic is at 537 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a 4-minute walk from Eonju Station Exit 7 (Line 9). All doctors are female, and an English-speaking coordinator helps you from booking to results. Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-9517-5719.

What is the difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhea?

Primary dysmenorrhea is period pain without an underlying disease. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids.

Can an ultrasound show endometriosis?

Ultrasound can show endometriomas (ovarian cysts) and signs of adenomyosis and fibroids. Small endometriosis spots may not show, so diagnosis can also rely on your symptoms or, in some cases, laparoscopy.

How much does a painful period check-up cost?

From the clinic's published fee schedule (June 2026), a gynecologic ultrasound is ₩100,000; confirm before your visit. The total depends on your consultation and tests, and the coordinator can give you an estimate.

Is it normal to miss work because of period pain?

Period pain that stops you from working, studying or sleeping is not something you have to accept. It is a good reason to get checked.

Can adenomyosis be treated without removing the uterus?

Often, yes. Hormones, a hormonal IUD, or HIFU, which uses focused ultrasound with no incision, are uterus-preserving options. Your doctor tells you if you are a candidate.

Does dysmenorrhea affect fertility?

Primary dysmenorrhea does not. Some causes of secondary dysmenorrhea, such as endometriosis, can make it harder to get pregnant.

Will my period pain go away after having a baby?

Primary dysmenorrhea often eases after childbirth or with age. Secondary dysmenorrhea usually needs treatment of the cause.

Ready when you are

Book a period-pain check in Gangnam, Seoul

Send us a short description of your pain and the day you'd like to come. A coordinator replies in English.

WhatsApp +82-10-9517-5719

Sinsoe Women's Clinic

537 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06126, South Korea
Eonju Station Exit 7 (4 min) · Yeoksam Station Exit 6 (5 min)
Mon & Fri 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue, Wed, Thu 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday Closed
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