Definition

Painful menstrual periods are periods in which a woman has crampy lower abdominal pain, which can be sharp or aching and come and go. Back pain and/or leg pain may also be present.

Some pain during your period is normal, but a large amount of pain is not. The medical term for painful menstrual periods is dysmenorrhea.

Alternative Names

Menstruation - painful; Dysmenorrhea; Periods - painful; Cramps - menstrual; Menstrual cramps

Considerations

Many women have painful periods. Sometimes, the pain makes it hard to do normal household, job, or school-related activities for a few days during each menstrual cycle. Painful menstruation is the leading cause of lost time from school and work among women in their teens and 20s.

Causes

Painful menstrual periods fall into two groups, depending on the cause:

• Primary dysmenorrhea
• Secondary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that occurs around the time that menstrual periods first begin in otherwise healthy young women. In most cases, this pain is not related to a specific problem with the uterus or other pelvic organs. Increased activity of the hormone prostaglandin, which is produced in the uterus, is thought to play a role in this condition.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that develops later in women who have had normal periods. It is often related to problems in the uterus or other pelvic organs, such as:

• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Intrauterine device (IUD) made of copper
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Sexually transmitted infection
• Stress and anxiety

Home Care

The following steps may help you to avoid prescription medicines:

• Apply a heating pad to your lower belly area, below your belly button. Never fall asleep with the heating pad on.
• Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower belly area.
• Drink warm beverages.
• Eat light, but frequent meals.
• Keep your legs raised while lying down or lie on your side with your knees bent.
• Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
• Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Start taking it the day before your period is expected to begin and continue taking it regularly for the first few days of your period.
• Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is associated with PMS.
• Take warm showers or baths.
• Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. Get regular, aerobic exercise.

If these self-care measures do not work, your health care provider may offer you treatment such as:

• Birth control pills
• Hormone-containing IUD
• Prescription anti-inflammatory medicines
• Prescription pain relievers (including narcotics, for brief periods)
• Antidepressants
• Antibiotics
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Surgery (laparoscopy) to rule out endometriosis or other pelvic disease

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider right away if you have:

• Increased or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Fever and pelvic pain
• Sudden or severe pain, especially if your period is more than 1 week late and you have been sexually active.

Also contact your provider if:

• Treatments do not relieve your pain after 3 months.
• You have pain and had an IUD placed more than 3 months ago.
• You pass blood clots or have other symptoms with the pain.
• Your pain occurs at times other than menstruation, begins more than 5 days before your period, or continues after your period is over.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms.

Tests and procedures that may be done include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Cultures to check for sexually-transmitted infections
• Laparoscopy
• Pelvic ultrasound

Treatment depends on what is causing your pain.

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dysmenorrhea: painful periods. FAQ046. www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Dysmenorrhea-Painful-Periods. Updated January 2022. Accessed April 23, 2024.

Mendiratta V, Lentz GM. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: etiology, diagnosis, management. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 35.

Pattanittum P, Kunyanone N, Brown J, et al. Dietary supplements for dysmenorrhea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;3(3):CD002124. PMID: 27000311 www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000311/.