What condition is characterized by painful, heavy periods and is often treated with NSAIDs or hormonal therapy?

The condition characterized by painful, heavy periods is best captured by the definition of dysmenorrhea, which specifically refers to the pain associated with menstruation. This pain can range from mild to severe and often interferes with daily activities. Dysmenorrhea is commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which help relieve pain and reduce inflammation, as well as hormonal therapy, which can help regulate the menstrual cycle and lessen the severity of pain.

In contrast, menorrhagia refers to excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding but does not necessarily include pain as a primary symptom. Oligomenorrhea denotes infrequent menstrual periods, while PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, encompasses a variety of emotional and physical symptoms that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle but does not specifically address heavy menstrual bleeding or pain during menstruation.

Thus, while other conditions may involve aspects of menstrual dysfunction, dysmenorrhea is particularly linked to the experience of pain during periods, making it the correct answer in this context.