Painful periods
Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) are very common, especially in teenage girls and young women. The pain is usually cramping in the lower belly, starts just before or at the start of the period, and lasts 1 to 3 days. Most often it is normal and can be eased with simple measures, but very severe pain, or pain that starts later in life, can be a sign of another problem such as endometriosis or fibroids.
Symptoms
- Cramping pain in the lower belly
- Pain that spreads to the lower back or thighs
- Nausea or loose stools during the period
- Headache or dizziness
- Tiredness
Causes
- Natural substances (prostaglandins) that make the womb squeeze during a period — the usual cause
- Endometriosis (tissue like the womb lining growing outside the womb)
- Fibroids (non-cancer lumps in the womb)
- Pelvic infection
- A copper IUD can make periods more painful for some women
Prevention
- Regular exercise such as walking
- A healthy weight and a balanced diet
- Avoid smoking and naswar
- Keep a record of your periods and pain to show your doctor
Treatment
- A hot water bottle or warm cloth on the lower belly
- Rest and gentle exercise
- Pain medicines such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid taken with food at the start of the pain, or paracetamol — follow the pack or pharmacist advice
- Hormonal contraceptive pills may help — prescribed by a doctor
- Treatment of the cause if there is endometriosis, fibroids or infection
Common questions
Is it safe to take pain medicine for period pain?
Yes, for most women. Ibuprofen or mefenamic acid with food, or paracetamol, at the usual doses is safe for a few days each month. Avoid ibuprofen-type medicines if you have a stomach ulcer, kidney disease or asthma that gets worse with them, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
Will period pain affect my ability to have children?
Ordinary period pain does not affect fertility. If the pain is very severe, see a doctor, because conditions such as endometriosis can sometimes make it harder to get pregnant and can be treated.