Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It Period Cramps?Why They HurtHow to Find ReliefSecondary ComplicationsAbnormal CrampingSeeing a SpecialistSelf-Care Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is It Period Cramps?
Why They Hurt
How to Find Relief
Secondary Complications
Abnormal Cramping
Seeing a Specialist
Self-Care Tips
Period cramps occur when the uterus contracts to shed its inner lining.More than half of people who menstruate experience painful periods (dysmenorrhea).
Period pain may feel like throbbing, cramping pain.While some discomfort is expected, some people experience unbearable pain during their periods.An underlying health condition like endometriosis or uterine fibroids may cause severe pain during your period.
Su Arslanoglu/ Getty Images
Is It Period Cramps or Something Else?
Period cramps often feel like throbbing or tightening in the lower abdomen. Other common period symptoms include back pain, headaches, nausea, and diarrhea.Period crampsare different frompremenstrual syndrome(PMS), which occurs before bleeding starts. Common PMS symptoms include bloating, fatigue, irritability, and weight gain.
Primary and Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common type of painful period. A chronic health condition does not cause it. The most likely cause is having too manyprostaglandins, chemicals that cause the uterus to contract. When the body has an abundance of prostaglandins, cramping feels worse.
Period Cramps vs. Pregnancy CrampsEarly pregnancymay cause cramping that feels similar to period cramps and symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes.Early pregnancy may also causeimplantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. It is estimated that up to 15% to 25% of pregnant people experience bleeding in their first trimester.
Period Cramps vs. Pregnancy Cramps
Early pregnancymay cause cramping that feels similar to period cramps and symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes.Early pregnancy may also causeimplantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. It is estimated that up to 15% to 25% of pregnant people experience bleeding in their first trimester.
Early pregnancymay cause cramping that feels similar to period cramps and symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes.
Early pregnancy may also causeimplantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. It is estimated that up to 15% to 25% of pregnant people experience bleeding in their first trimester.
Why Period Cramps Hurt
Period cramps hurt because the uterus contracts and relaxes during your period. A high number of prostaglandins can lead to more cramping pain. Several factors affect painful period cramps, including:
Unbearable period cramps are not normal, and it’s essential to work with your healthcare provider to determine the cause. Chronic health conditions that may cause severe period cramps include:
How to Relieve Unbearable Period Cramps
There are several treatment options available for period cramps, which include:
Secondary Complications and Risk Factors
Period pain affects your quality of life and ability to function. It may also lead to chronic pelvic pain. About 30% to 50% of people with painful periods experience severe pain. Several factors affect period pain, including medical conditions, age, lifestyle, and socioeconomic determinants of health.
Mental health conditions may affect your pain level during your periods. These include:
Severe period pain may affect the following areas of your life:
When Are Period Cramps Abnormal?
Period cramps are abnormal when they affect your ability to function in your daily life. Call your healthcare provider if:
When you see your healthcare provider about painful period cramps, they will perform a physical exam and conduct a thorough medical history. They will likely perform a pelvic exam and may use ultrasound or other imaging tests to determine the cause of your pain.
Painful periods are common, and you may find it challenging to advocate for yourself. If your healthcare provider has dismissed your concerns, seek a second opinion.
Seeing Pain Management Specialist for Chronic Menstrual Pain
Painful periods may lead to chronic pelvic pain over time. If treatments have not been successful or there is no known cause for your severe period pain, your healthcare provider may recommend seeing apain management specialist.
These physicians have specialized training in chronic pain management. Most people with painful periods do not require a pain specialist. However, if treatment options have not been successful, consider asking for a referral to a pain specialist.
How Self-Care Eases Period Cramps
Self-care practices may seem like small decisions but can relieve period cramps. To ease your period pain, focus on the following areas:
Summary
Period cramps occur when the uterus contracts to shed its inner lining. Some discomfort during your period is common, but unbearable pain is not. It is important to see a healthcare provider if your pain is so severe that it affects your daily life.
There are several possible causes of painful period cramps, including too many prostaglandins, stress, lack of sleep, and diet habits. Chronic health conditions that cause painful periods include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and ovarian torsion. Your healthcare provider may recommend diet changes, exercise, heat, more sleep, NSAIDs, or hormonal birth control.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Period pain.Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.McKenna KA, Fogleman CD.Dysmenorrhea.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(2):164-170.Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.Foxcroft KF, Callaway LK, Byrne NM, Webster J.Development and validation of a pregnancy symptoms inventory.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013;13:3. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-13-3Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002Carvalho N, Margatho D, Cursino K, Benetti-Pinto CL, Bahamondes L.Control of endometriosis-associated pain with etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant and 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.Garcia JG, Martinez A, Filho RJG, et al.Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pelvic tumors submitted to surgical treatment.Rev Bras Ortop. 2017;53(1):33-37. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2017.11.004MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Huang C, Hong MK, Ding DC.A review of ovary torsion.Tzu Chi Med. 2017;29(3):143-147. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_55_17MacGregor B, Allaire C, Bedaiwy MA, Yong PJ, Bougie O.Disease burden of dysmenorrhea: Impact on life course potential.Int J Womens Health. 2023;15:499-509. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S380006Jo J, Lee SH.Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16252. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-34303-zLee MS, Lee HW, Khalil M, Lim HS, Lim HJ.Aromatherapy for managing pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):434. doi:10.3390/jcm7110434Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023;6. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5Seifalian A, Kenyon J, Khullar V.Dysmenorrhoea: Can medicinal cannabis bring new hope for a collective group of women suffering in pain, globally?.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(24):16201. doi:10.3390/ijms232416201Itani R, Soubra L, Karout S, et al.Primary dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment updates.Korean J Fam Med. 2022;43(2):101-108. doi:10.4082/kjfm.21.0103American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Period pain.Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.McKenna KA, Fogleman CD.Dysmenorrhea.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(2):164-170.Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.Foxcroft KF, Callaway LK, Byrne NM, Webster J.Development and validation of a pregnancy symptoms inventory.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013;13:3. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-13-3Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002Carvalho N, Margatho D, Cursino K, Benetti-Pinto CL, Bahamondes L.Control of endometriosis-associated pain with etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant and 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.Garcia JG, Martinez A, Filho RJG, et al.Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pelvic tumors submitted to surgical treatment.Rev Bras Ortop. 2017;53(1):33-37. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2017.11.004MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Huang C, Hong MK, Ding DC.A review of ovary torsion.Tzu Chi Med. 2017;29(3):143-147. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_55_17MacGregor B, Allaire C, Bedaiwy MA, Yong PJ, Bougie O.Disease burden of dysmenorrhea: Impact on life course potential.Int J Womens Health. 2023;15:499-509. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S380006Jo J, Lee SH.Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16252. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-34303-zLee MS, Lee HW, Khalil M, Lim HS, Lim HJ.Aromatherapy for managing pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):434. doi:10.3390/jcm7110434Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023;6. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5Seifalian A, Kenyon J, Khullar V.Dysmenorrhoea: Can medicinal cannabis bring new hope for a collective group of women suffering in pain, globally?.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(24):16201. doi:10.3390/ijms232416201Itani R, Soubra L, Karout S, et al.Primary dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment updates.Korean J Fam Med. 2022;43(2):101-108. doi:10.4082/kjfm.21.0103American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Period pain.Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.McKenna KA, Fogleman CD.Dysmenorrhea.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(2):164-170.Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.Foxcroft KF, Callaway LK, Byrne NM, Webster J.Development and validation of a pregnancy symptoms inventory.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013;13:3. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-13-3Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002Carvalho N, Margatho D, Cursino K, Benetti-Pinto CL, Bahamondes L.Control of endometriosis-associated pain with etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant and 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.Garcia JG, Martinez A, Filho RJG, et al.Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pelvic tumors submitted to surgical treatment.Rev Bras Ortop. 2017;53(1):33-37. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2017.11.004MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Huang C, Hong MK, Ding DC.A review of ovary torsion.Tzu Chi Med. 2017;29(3):143-147. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_55_17MacGregor B, Allaire C, Bedaiwy MA, Yong PJ, Bougie O.Disease burden of dysmenorrhea: Impact on life course potential.Int J Womens Health. 2023;15:499-509. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S380006Jo J, Lee SH.Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16252. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-34303-zLee MS, Lee HW, Khalil M, Lim HS, Lim HJ.Aromatherapy for managing pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):434. doi:10.3390/jcm7110434Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023;6. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5Seifalian A, Kenyon J, Khullar V.Dysmenorrhoea: Can medicinal cannabis bring new hope for a collective group of women suffering in pain, globally?.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(24):16201. doi:10.3390/ijms232416201Itani R, Soubra L, Karout S, et al.Primary dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment updates.Korean J Fam Med. 2022;43(2):101-108. doi:10.4082/kjfm.21.0103American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods.
MedlinePlus.Period pain.
Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096
Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.
McKenna KA, Fogleman CD.Dysmenorrhea.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(2):164-170.
Hendriks E, MacNaughton H, MacKenzie MC.First trimester bleeding: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(3):166-174.
Foxcroft KF, Callaway LK, Byrne NM, Webster J.Development and validation of a pregnancy symptoms inventory.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013;13:3. doi:10.1186/1471-2393-13-3
Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al.Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4
National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.
Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002
Carvalho N, Margatho D, Cursino K, Benetti-Pinto CL, Bahamondes L.Control of endometriosis-associated pain with etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant and 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003
MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.
Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.
Garcia JG, Martinez A, Filho RJG, et al.Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pelvic tumors submitted to surgical treatment.Rev Bras Ortop. 2017;53(1):33-37. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2017.11.004
MedlinePlus.Uterine fibroids.
Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.
Huang C, Hong MK, Ding DC.A review of ovary torsion.Tzu Chi Med. 2017;29(3):143-147. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_55_17
MacGregor B, Allaire C, Bedaiwy MA, Yong PJ, Bougie O.Disease burden of dysmenorrhea: Impact on life course potential.Int J Womens Health. 2023;15:499-509. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S380006
Jo J, Lee SH.Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16252. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-34303-z
Lee MS, Lee HW, Khalil M, Lim HS, Lim HJ.Aromatherapy for managing pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):434. doi:10.3390/jcm7110434
Ma S, Song SJ.Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023;6. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006586.pub5
Seifalian A, Kenyon J, Khullar V.Dysmenorrhoea: Can medicinal cannabis bring new hope for a collective group of women suffering in pain, globally?.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(24):16201. doi:10.3390/ijms232416201
Itani R, Soubra L, Karout S, et al.Primary dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment updates.Korean J Fam Med. 2022;43(2):101-108. doi:10.4082/kjfm.21.0103
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods.
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