Period pain (medical term = dysmenorrhea) is crampy tummy pain that starts at the beginning of your period or a few days before your period starts. It typically lasts 2-3 days.
Other Symptoms
- Sharp or dull tummy pain
- Back pain
- Thigh pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Nausea and or vomiting
Why can periods be painful?
Over 50% of woman experience some pain for 1 to 2 days each month. This pain is usually mild, settles with simple pain killers and does not interfere with normal daily activities.
Natural chemicals are produced by the lining of the womb (uterus). They are called prostaglandins. These chemicals cause the muscles and the blood vessels of the womb to contract. Levels of these chemicals are higher at the beginning of your period. Pain occurs because your womb contracts to shed (get rid) its lining. As bleeding continues, the lining of the uterus becomes less, and the chemical levels go down. This is why pain usually gets better after a few days.
In the majority of women, there is no serious cause for the pain, this is called ‘primary dysmenorrhea’. In some the pain may be caused by another medical problem for example; endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or fibroids. This is called secondary dysmenorrhea
What should I do if my periods are painful, or I am concerned?
In some women the pain is so severe that it stops them from doing their normal activities each month. If you are concerned that your periods are affecting your daily life, please complete the symptom checker listed below.