Period Pain

Period pain is very common. Most people who have periods will experience some pain or discomfort at some point. The good news is there are many things you can do to help ease the pain.

What does period pain feel like?

Period pain usually starts around the beginning of your period, or a few days before. You might notice:

• Pain in your tummy when your period starts
• Painful cramps in your tummy that can spread to your back and thighs
• Sharp pain or a dull ache in your tummy

The pain typically lasts up to 3 days. Sometimes it can be strong enough to affect your daily activities like work, school, or exercise.

Simple ways to ease period pain

There are several things you can try at home:

Heat therapy:

• Have a warm bath or shower
• Use a heat pad or hot water bottle on your tummy (wrap it in a tea towel first)

Gentle movement:

• Try light exercise like yoga, swimming, walking, or cycling
• Gentle massage of your tummy and back can help

Pain relief:

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen following the packet instructions
• These work best when taken regularly rather than waiting for the pain to get worse

Lifestyle changes:

• Cutting down on alcohol may help
• If you smoke, stopping can also reduce period pain

Why do periods hurt?

Period pain happens because your womb tightens during your period. This is usually completely normal and part of your monthly cycle.

However, sometimes period pain can be caused by other conditions like:

• Womb tissue growing in places it shouldn't (called endometriosis or adenomyosis)
• Growths in or around the womb (called fibroids)
• An infection in your womb or tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• An IUD (coil) - this is especially common in the first 3-6 months after it's fitted

When to see your GP

See your GP if:

• Your periods become more painful than usual
• Your periods become heavier or irregular
• You have pain during sex
• You have pain when going to the toilet
• You're bleeding between periods

When to get urgent help

Contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111 if:

• Your pelvic pain or period pain is severe or much worse than usual
• Painkillers haven't helped your severe pain

You can call 111 or use the online 111 service.

What treatments might your GP suggest?

If home treatments aren't helping, your GP might suggest:

• Stronger anti-inflammatory medicines
• A TENS machine (a small device that uses gentle electrical pulses to reduce pain)
• Hormonal contraception like the pill, implant, or injection - these can make periods lighter and less painful

If your pain doesn't improve, your GP may refer you to a women's health specialist. They might arrange tests like an ultrasound scan to check what's causing your pain.

Remember, period pain is very treatable. If it's affecting your daily life, speak to your GP - they can help you find the right solution.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.