Ibuprofen is a useful treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea.

A double-blind crossover placebo-controlled trial over 6 cycles in 38 Australian women has confirmed that ibuprofen is a valuable drug for the treatment of primary spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. This drug was highly effective when given in a dosage of one 400mg tablet at the first sign of pain or bleeding followed by further 400mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours for the duration of expected symptoms. Side-effects were mild and noted with equal low frequency during placebo treatment.