A short, sharp ‘stabbing’ pain. A long, dull ache that feels like it’ll never go away. Throbbing cramps that make you double over. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
A short, sharp ‘stabbing’ pain. A long, dull ache that feels like it’ll never go away. Throbbing cramps that make you double over. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Period pain is very common, and for many women it’s a normal part of the monthly
. But thankfully, there are things you can try to help make those cramps easier to live with.So keep reading for everything you need to know about period pain, including what causes it and the steps you can take to find period pain relief.
More than 1 out of 2 women get period pain for at least 1 or 2 days every month as part of the menstrual cycle. It’s medically known as ‘dysmenorrhoea’, from the ancient Greek for ‘difficult monthly flow’ – which we think is pretty spot on.
For most people, period pain happens just before and during the first few days of their period, but – like most things in life – it affects people in different ways.
Some people get pain for just a few hours or a day, before it goes away (either on its own or with help from self-care and painkillers). However, for between 5 and 10 out of every 100 women, severe period pain can be a real problem. This can affect your daily life and stop you from doing the things you love.
This varies, too. Some people describe period pain as ‘cramps’ or ‘cramping’, while others describe it as a ‘throbbing’ pain or a ‘dull ache’.
The pain mainly affects your lower tummy (abdomen) area, but it can also spread, leading to period back pain and pain in the thighs.
The cause of your pain – and even the sort of pain you get – depends on the type of period pain you have.
There are 2 types:
Primary dysmenorrhea is the period pain you get as part of your ‘normal’ menstrual cycle. Here’s what you need to know:
Secondary dysmenorrhea is period pain that’s caused by something other than your ‘normal’ menstrual cycle.
It can last longer than other period pain. It can start a few days before your period and continue after your period has finished. Secondary dysmenorrhea can also get worse over time.
It’s usually caused by a condition that affects your reproductive organs, such as:
Some other health conditions can also be more difficult to manage during your period, such as
or urinary problems, which can lead to extra pain.Occasionally, contraceptive
(IUDs) can cause period pain, or change the type of period pain you usually get.Find more useful information on periods with our
It may help to remember that millions of women get period pain every month. But this doesn’t mean you have to put up with it.
If you have secondary dysmenorrhea, your treatment will depend on what’s causing it. Often, there are things you can do to ease the pain, and you can also work with your doctor to treat the underlying cause.
For primary dysmenorrhea, there are self-care tips and pharmacy treatments to help ease the pain and discomfort. It may take a while to find a solution – or combination of solutions. And if you’re struggling, your doctor can help you find treatments that work for you.
There are lots of things you can try from month to month to ease your period cramps. Testing these science-backed ideas to see if they work for you can be both easy and cheap.
Different things work for different people, but you can try:
Painkillers are the first port of call for many women with period pain. Here’s what you need to know:
Some people try acupressure or
, which aim to reduce pain by applying pressure with either massage or needles. There is some evidence to suggest that these might help ease period pain, but more research is needed to say for sure, and to understand how and why.Several studies have looked at whether dietary supplements help ease period pain. Here’s what you need to know:
It’s best to speak to your pharmacist about whether vitamin supplements or herbal remedies might be safe or effective for you.
Many people are able to manage period pain at home using some of the techniques already mentioned. However, if you find it’s affecting your day-to-day life or stopping you from doing the things you love, it’s time to speak to your doctor.
In particular, you should see your doctor if you have period pain and:
You should go to the emergency department or call an ambulance if your pain is very severe or you have a positive pregnancy test, as you could have an
.If necessary, your doctor may:
It can be helpful to take some time to prepare for your doctor’s appointment, so you can give your doctor a complete picture of your period pain and how it’s affecting you.
You could write down:
You can also try our
if you’re worried about your period pain or other period symptoms.Your doctor may recommend:
If you have secondary dysmenorrhea and your pain is coming from a condition such as fibroids, endometriosis or PID, surgery can sometimes help to treat the cause of the pain.
Surgery to remove your womb (
) is also possible. However, this is usually a last resort, if your pain is severe and you haven’t been able to find a different way of managing it. You wouldn’t be able to have a pregnancy after this operation.Answered by:
“Period pain on its own won’t affect your chances of getting pregnant. As annoying and inconvenient as it may be, period pain is normal if it’s caused by your regular menstrual cycle. However, it may be difficult to get pregnant if you have an underlying condition that causes period pain, such as
. Surgery to remove your womb, which can be used to treat conditions such as fibroids and severe pelvic pain, will also result in . Hormonal contraceptives are commonly used as a treatment for period pain. They'll stop you from getting pregnant while you’re taking them, but they won’t affect your long-term fertility.”Answered by:
“Period pain doesn’t cause
, but they are linked. At the start of your period, the level of prostaglandins in your body increases. These help your muscles to contract and relax, so your womb can shed its lining. But prostaglandins can also help your bowels relax – so you might poo more often than when you’re not on your period. For most people, it isn’t a big problem, and you can try . But diarrhoea can be more difficult to manage if you’re living with , such as or . Speak to your doctor if diarrhoea – or another digestive problem, such as or – is causing you pain or discomfort, or isn’t going away once your period stops.”Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.