For too long, period pain has been dismissed as “just part of being a woman.” But the truth is, severe period pain isn’t normal—and it shouldn’t be something we just “put up with.” Millions of people suffer through debilitating cramps every month, often with little support from healthcare providers.
The latest research shows that period pain is one of the leading causes of missed school and work in young women (Foucher & Faure, 2023). Yet, many are still told their pain is “normal” or that they just need to take ibuprofen and get on with their day.
It’s time to change that. In this post, we’re diving into what causes period pain, how to know when it’s a sign of something more serious, and what you can do about it.
What Actually Causes Period Pain?
Period pain—also known as dysmenorrhea—is caused by uterine contractions. When your period starts, your body releases chemicals called prostaglandins, which make the uterus contract to shed its lining. The stronger the contractions, the less oxygen reaches the uterine muscles, which causes a buildup of waste products, which irritates local nerves and leads to symptoms of cramping, nausea and lower back pain. which can trigger cramps, nausea, and lower back pain (Foucher & Faure, 2023).
There are two types of period pain:
- Primary dysmenorrhea: This is the common type of period pain that starts in the teenage years and happens without an underlying medical condition.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea: This is caused by an underlying health issue like endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibroids and tends to get worse over time.
So, how do you tell the difference between normal cramps and something that needs medical attention?
How Much Pain is Too Much?
Let’s be clear: mild discomfort during your period is normal, but severe pain that interferes with your life is not.
Signs that your period pain isn’t normal and might be a sign of something more serious include:
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- Pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days
- Pain so severe you miss school or work
- Pain that doesn’t improve with NSAIDs (like ibuprofen)
- Pain accompanied by heavy bleeding, clotting, or irregular cycles
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- Pain that radiates to your lower back, thighs, or rectum
- Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
If any of these apply to you, it’s worth talking to a doctor. Period pain shouldn’t be debilitating, and if it is, there may be an underlying medical condition causing it.
Conditions That Can Cause Severe Period Pain
If your cramps are getting worse over time, don’t ignore them. They could be a symptom of a reproductive health condition that needs medical attention.
1. Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause excruciating cramps, chronic pelvic pain, pain during sex, and fertility issues.
According to research on #endometriosis videos on TikTok, almost 50% of patients with endometriosis report experiencing chronic pain, and many struggle with delayed diagnoses (Wu et al., 2023).
2. Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis happens when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall, making periods longer, heavier, and more painful. This condition is often misdiagnosed as fibroids or heavy periods.
3. Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that can cause severe cramps, heavy bleeding, and pressure in the lower abdomen.
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS can cause irregular periods, heavy bleeding, and intense cramps, along with other symptoms like acne, weight gain, and excess hair growth.
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID is an infection in the reproductive organs, often caused by untreated STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea. It can cause chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and fertility problems.
If your period pain is getting worse or affecting your daily life, it’s important to advocate for yourself and push for proper medical testing.
How to Treat Period Pain (That Actually Works)
If you’re dealing with period pain, there are effective ways to manage it—both at home and with medical treatment.
At-Home Remedies
- Heat therapy – Applying a warm water bottle or heat pad to your lower abdomen can relax muscles and reduce cramps.
- Exercise – Gentle movement like walking, swimming, or yoga can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation.
- Dietary changes – Reducing caffeine, sugar, and processed foods may help lower inflammation. Some people find relief with omega-3 supplements or magnesium.
- Massage therapy – Massaging the lower abdomen may help relieve tension and improve circulation.
- Stress reduction – Chronic stress can make pain worse, so mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can help.
Medical Treatments
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medical treatment can be very effective. Options include:
- NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) – These reduce prostaglandins, stopping the uterus from contracting so intensely (Foucher & Faure, 2023). Fenamates (like mefenamic acid) might work a little better for pain relief compared to medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Both types of medications reduce the production of pain-causing chemicals called prostaglandins, but fenamates also block the action of these chemicals, which could make them more effective for some people. Some studies have found that both fenamates and medications like ibuprofen or naproxen provide better pain relief than aspirin.
- Hormonal birth control – The pill, patch, or IUD can help regulate periods and reduce pain. Some options even stop periods altogether. Birth control pills that contain both oestrogen and progesterone work by preventing ovulation and thinning the lining of the uterus (endometrium) over time. A thinner lining has less of a substance called arachidonic acid, which is needed to produce prostaglandins—chemicals that cause cramping and heavy bleeding during periods. By reducing the amount of prostaglandins, these contraceptives help decrease both the amount of bleeding and the strength of uterine contractions, which in turn helps relieve period pain (dysmenorrhea).
- Continuous birth control – Some people take the pill without a break to avoid periods completely.
- Surgical options – For severe cases, laparoscopy, endometrial ablation, or hysterectomy may be necessary.
If your doctor dismisses your pain, find a new doctor. You deserve to be taken seriously.
Why We Need to Change the Conversation About Period Pain
One of the biggest issues with period pain is the medical gaslighting that comes with it.
- Many doctors still tell patients that “bad cramps are normal” when they’re not.
- Endometriosis takes an average of 7-12 years to diagnose (Wu et al., 2023).
- Millions of people suffer in silence because they’ve been told to “just take Panadol.”
Social media is changing the conversation, with platforms like TikTok bringing awareness to menstrual health. However, many videos contain misinformation, with low medical accuracy scores (2.2/5 on DISCERN) (Wu et al., 2023). That’s why it’s so important to get information from trusted sources.
The Bottom Line: You Deserve Better
If your period pain is severe, getting worse, or affecting your life, don’t accept it as normal. Advocate for yourself, seek professional help, and don’t stop pushing for answers.
At June Health, we believe that every person deserves access to real, evidence-based reproductive healthcare. We’re here to provide the tools and support you need to take control of your menstrual health.
📍 Need help managing your period pain? Explore our services and get expert guidance today.
Sources
- Foucher, G., & Faure, S. (2023). What’s period pain? Actualités pharmaceutiques, 624, 59-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpha.2023.01.043
- Wu, J., Greene, M., Bickett, A., Song, A. H., & Swartz, J. J. (2023). Period pain is not normal: A content analysis of endometriosis-related videos on TikTok. BJOG, 130(12), 1555-1556. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17563
