Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Period Pain ChangesReasons for CrampsConditions Causing CrampsRelieving CrampsSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Period Pain Changes
Reasons for Cramps
Conditions Causing Cramps
Relieving Cramps
Seeking Medical Care
More than half of people who menstruate experience some level of pain during theirmenstrual cycle.Period cramps are a common symptom that occurs when theuteruscontracts to shed its inner lining. You may notice that your period cramps vary from month to month.
There are several possible reasons why your period cramps feel worse all of a sudden. Lifestyle factors like a change to your diet, exercise routine, or sleep habits could be to blame. There are chronic health conditions like endometriosis that can causepainful cramping.
This article explains the possible reasons for sudden, painful period cramps and when to contact a healthcare provider.
AleksandarGeorgiev / Getty Images
Why Are Period Cramps Worse Some Months Than Others?
The severity ofperiod crampscan vary depending on your health and any changes that you have recently experienced. Your cramps may feel like a dull, throbbing pain or sharp, stabbing pain. You may also experience lower back pain,nausea,diarrhea, and headaches before or during your period.
Signs of Period Coming: Patterns Before Bleeding Starts
Possible Reasons Cramps Are Bad Suddenly
If you notice that your period cramps are suddenly bad or very painful, talk with your healthcare provider. It can be challenging to determine the cause on your own. Here are some of the possible causes.
Your Diet Is Off
What you eat affects your period symptoms. Cravings for more calorie-dense foods leading up to your period are common. A study found that people who ate more snack foods were at higher risk of painful periods. Foods that are rich in salt or sugar may lead to moresevere period cramps.
You’re Stressed
Stresscan affect just about every area of our lives, including periods. Research shows that people who experience stress early in their menstrual cycle have more symptoms like cramping and pain. People who are under stress before their periods are two to four times more likely to have moderate to severe period symptoms.
You’re New to Menstruating
For most people who menstruate, period cramps are worse at thebeginning of menstruation. Fortunately, period cramps tend to get better as you age. People who begin menstruating before age 11 are more likely to experience painful periods than those who start their periods later in adolescence.
Your Birth Control Recently Changed
Hormonal birth controlmethods affect your menstrual cycle and period symptoms. You may be using birth control pills to treat severe period cramps.Birth controlcan be used to reduce period pain effectively.However, if you recently stopped your birth control or switched to a new kind, you may experience an increase in symptoms.
You’re Lacking Sleep
A good night’s sleep can help in many ways, including with period pain. People who experience poor sleep before and during their periods are more likely to report painful menstrual cramps. A lack of sleep affects your hormone levels, which affects the symptoms you feel during your period.
Possible Conditions That Cause Suddenly Bad Period Cramps
Endometriosis
People with endometriosis are at risk of very painful periods. Over time, endometriosis may lead to scar tissue called adhesions that cause the organs to stick together, causing severe pain.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cystsare fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries. Many people with ovarian cysts do not experience symptoms. However, these cysts can cause pain during your period and feel like cramps.
Pelvic Tumors
Fibroids
Uterine fibroidsare benign (noncancerous) growths in or on the uterus. You may not experience any symptoms from fibroids, but they could lead to increased bleeding and pelvic pain during your period.
IBD
Irritable bowel disease(IBD) is a chronic condition that causes gut inflammation. It includes bothCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitis. People with IBD are more likely to experience period symptoms like headaches, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
6 Tips to Reduce Period Bloating
Ovarian Torsion
Ovarian torsionoccurs when theovaryandfallopian tubetwist around the surrounding blood vessels or organs. When this happens, the organs do not receive enough oxygen through the blood supply. Ovarian torsion causes severe pelvic pain. This is an emergency condition and requires immediate medical treatment.
How to Support Your Cycle and Relieve Cramps
Fortunately, there are methods you can take to soothe your period cramps, but if they don’t help, see your healthcare provider.
OTC Medications
Pamprin vs. Midol for Menstrual Symptoms
Ginger
Gingerhas been used for ages to treat several health conditions. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which may improve menstrual cramp pain and bloating. Consuming ginger during the first few days of your period may lessen the pain.
9 Herbs to Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Zinc
Zincis a mineral that can be taken as a supplement. Research found taking zinc (along with mefenamic acid) for three months may improve period pain and cramping.
B Vitamins
Another supplement that people take for period cramps is a combination of B vitamins.Vitamin B1may be helpful for period pain, but more research is needed before it can be recommended.
Apply Heat
Applying heat to your lower abdomen may improve period cramps. Try a heating pad or hot water bottle while resting. You may also find relief from a hot shower.
Gentle Exercise and Stretching
You may find some pain relief if you engage in gentle activity. Physical activity, like walking or swimming, is known to improve pain. Gentle yoga with stretching may also feel good.
Herbal Tea
A study found that people who drankgreen teaexperienced less menstrual pain than those who drank other types of tea. While there isn’t enough evidence to recommend herbal tea as a treatment for period cramps, it may help you feel more relaxed.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Period cramps are common, and it can be challenging to know when to seek help. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
A Word From VerywellPainful periods shouldn’t be the norm. Cramping that is not relieved with over-the-counter medications can indicate underlying issues. Be aware of changes in your menstrual cycles because that’s usually the first sign that something else is happening.—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Painful periods shouldn’t be the norm. Cramping that is not relieved with over-the-counter medications can indicate underlying issues. Be aware of changes in your menstrual cycles because that’s usually the first sign that something else is happening.—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Painful periods shouldn’t be the norm. Cramping that is not relieved with over-the-counter medications can indicate underlying issues. Be aware of changes in your menstrual cycles because that’s usually the first sign that something else is happening.
—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
19 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.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096MedlinePlus.Period pain.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/s12905-018-0558-4National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.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: randomized clinical trial.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.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_17Guimarães I, Póvoa AM.Primary dysmenorrhea: assessment and treatment. Dismenorreia primária: Avaliação e tratamento.Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2020;42(8):501-507. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1712131Mao QQ, Xu XY, Cao SY, et al.Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe).Foods. 2019;8(6):185. doi:10.3390/foods8060185Teimoori B, Ghasemi M, Hoseini ZS, Razavi M.The efficacy of zinc administration in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Oman Med J. 2016;31(2):107-111. doi:10.5001/omj.2016.21Jo 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-zZhang X, Zhang R, Chen D, et al.Association of tea drinking and dysmenorrhoea among reproductive-age women in Shanghai, China (2013-2015): a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2019;9(4):e026643. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026643
19 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.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096MedlinePlus.Period pain.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/s12905-018-0558-4National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.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: randomized clinical trial.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.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_17Guimarães I, Póvoa AM.Primary dysmenorrhea: assessment and treatment. Dismenorreia primária: Avaliação e tratamento.Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2020;42(8):501-507. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1712131Mao QQ, Xu XY, Cao SY, et al.Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe).Foods. 2019;8(6):185. doi:10.3390/foods8060185Teimoori B, Ghasemi M, Hoseini ZS, Razavi M.The efficacy of zinc administration in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Oman Med J. 2016;31(2):107-111. doi:10.5001/omj.2016.21Jo 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-zZhang X, Zhang R, Chen D, et al.Association of tea drinking and dysmenorrhoea among reproductive-age women in Shanghai, China (2013-2015): a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2019;9(4):e026643. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026643
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.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096MedlinePlus.Period pain.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/s12905-018-0558-4National Institutes of Health.Prior stress could worsen premenstrual symptoms, NIH study finds.Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.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: randomized clinical trial.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003Baker FC, Lee KA.Menstrual cycle effects on sleep.Sleep Med Clin. 2018;13(3):283-294. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.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_17Guimarães I, Póvoa AM.Primary dysmenorrhea: assessment and treatment. Dismenorreia primária: Avaliação e tratamento.Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2020;42(8):501-507. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1712131Mao QQ, Xu XY, Cao SY, et al.Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe).Foods. 2019;8(6):185. doi:10.3390/foods8060185Teimoori B, Ghasemi M, Hoseini ZS, Razavi M.The efficacy of zinc administration in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Oman Med J. 2016;31(2):107-111. doi:10.5001/omj.2016.21Jo 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-zZhang X, Zhang R, Chen D, et al.Association of tea drinking and dysmenorrhoea among reproductive-age women in Shanghai, China (2013-2015): a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2019;9(4):e026643. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026643
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Dysmenorrhea: painful periods.
Nemours Kids Health.Period cramps (for kids).
Ferries-Rowe E, Corey E, Archer JS.Primary dysmenorrhea: diagnosis and therapy.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):1047-1058. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004096
MedlinePlus.Period pain.
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.
Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.
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: randomized clinical trial.Fertility and Sterility. 2018;110(6):1129-1136. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.003
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
MedlinePlus.Endometriosis.
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
Guimarães I, Póvoa AM.Primary dysmenorrhea: assessment and treatment. Dismenorreia primária: Avaliação e tratamento.Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2020;42(8):501-507. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1712131
Mao QQ, Xu XY, Cao SY, et al.Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe).Foods. 2019;8(6):185. doi:10.3390/foods8060185
Teimoori B, Ghasemi M, Hoseini ZS, Razavi M.The efficacy of zinc administration in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Oman Med J. 2016;31(2):107-111. doi:10.5001/omj.2016.21
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
Zhang X, Zhang R, Chen D, et al.Association of tea drinking and dysmenorrhoea among reproductive-age women in Shanghai, China (2013-2015): a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2019;9(4):e026643. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026643
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