Dysmenorrhoea

​​​​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are suspected, seek emergency medical advice or refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary)

  • Acute or severe pelvic pain

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Dysmenorrhoea for < 3 months
  • Single episode of dysmenorrhoea​

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Nil
​​Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.
  • Dysmenorrhoea and pelvic ultrasound suggestive of endometriomas
  • Severe dysmenorrhoea as indicated by two or more of the following features:
    • Pelvic pain that significantly disrupts daily activities
    • Pelvic pain that is refractory to hormonal control or first-line treatments (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
    • Pelvic pain resulting in school or work absences, or recurrent emergency department presentations
    • Pelvic pain impacting quality of life and mental health​

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

  • Dysmenorrhoea associated with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction (viscero-visceral hyperalgesia) not attributable to another primary cause
  • Dysmenorrhoea with a personal history of endometriosis and/or infertility
  • Recurrent presentations to general practitioner for dysmenorrhoea not attributable to other acute causes of dysmenorrhoea (e.g. ovarian cyst)​

Information to include within a referral

Required​

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration
  • Provisional diagnosis
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • Pelvic ultrasound
    • Any other relevant imaging reports
    • Cervical screening test within the last 5 years or recent test if abnormal symptoms (if aged > 25 years only)

If available

  • Full blood count (FBC)
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Other relevant history (i.e. clinical examination findings and treatment to date)
  • Social factors and impact
  • Mental health history
  • Patient's goals of care​

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.​

Current as at: Monday 23 March 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing