Overview
Period pain is cramping in the lower abdomen around menstruation — very common and usually harmless in young women, caused by natural womb contractions. Pain that is worsening over the years, severe enough to stop daily life, or new in adulthood may signal conditions like endometriosis or fibroids, and deserves proper assessment rather than silent endurance.
Symptoms
- Cramping lower abdominal pain before or during periods
- Pain radiating to the lower back or thighs
- Nausea or vomiting with the pain
- Headache or dizziness
- Diarrhoea around periods
- Pain disrupting school, work or sleep
Causes & risk factors
- Natural prostaglandin-driven womb contractions (primary type)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids or adenomyosis
- Pelvic infection
- An IUD occasionally worsening cramps initially
Treatment & self-care
Anti-inflammatory pain relief recommended by a pharmacist or doctor — started at the first sign of pain — plus warmth on the abdomen, gentle exercise and rest manage most period pain. Hormonal options prescribed by a doctor reliably reduce severe cramps. Pain that worsens over time or fails these measures needs investigation for an underlying cause.
See a doctor urgently if
- Pain severe enough to miss school or work each month
- Period pain that keeps getting worse over the years
- Pain with heavy bleeding or large clots
- New severe period pain after age 25
- Pain with fever or unusual discharge