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What is normal period pain?
Period pain is normal if: it goes away when you use pain-relief medicine, hot or cold packs or TENS (a small device that blocks pain signals). Symptoms of period pain may include: People who have painful periods may have higher levels of natural chemicals (called ‘prostaglandins’) that cause the uterus to contract. or adenomyosis.
If you have painful periods, you can try: complementary therapies like acupuncture or naturopathy, or supplements like fish oil and magnesium. Talk to your doctor if simple treatments for period pain don’t help or if your symptoms are so painful they impact your quality of life. It can be helpful to record information about your periods so you can discuss this with your doctor.
Things to record include when you get your period, how long it lasts, how heavy it is and how it impacts your daily life. It’s normal to have some pain during your period you have pain on the first 2 days of your period it doesn’t impact your daily life Symptoms of period pain cramping or heaviness in your pelvic area pain in your stomach, lower back and legs a constant ache nausea or diarrhoea Causes of period pain Some period pain is caused by other conditions, such as endometriosis , fibroids Treatment for period pain pain-relief medicine (e.g. ibuprofen) when the pain starts regular exercise, which releases natural chemicals (endorphins) that relieve pain putting a heat pack or hot water bottle on your abdomen and lower back to help relax the muscles relaxation techniques (e.g.
You can talk to your doctor about hormonal treatments such as the pill or the Mirena™ intrauterine device (IUD) When to see your doctor More information For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit Jean Hailes for Women’s Health Where to get help GP (doctor) Gynaecologist Sexual Health Michigan Jean Hailes for Women’s Health .