Painful periods
What are painful periods?
Many women get pains in their lower abdomen (pelvis) and sometimes their back or legs, during or just before their period. The pain can be mild or very bad.
Period pain is also called menstrual pain or menstrual cramps.
Pain during your period is very common and has a number of causes.
Your doctor may call it dysmenorrhea.
There are two types of painful periods: pain that is not caused by a medical problem and pain that is caused by a medical
condition. We have looked at treatments for both types of pain.
Pain that is not caused by a medical problem usually begins shortly after you start having periods.
1 Researchers think it is caused by the body making a lot of chemicals called prostaglandins. These chemicals help the womb to squeeze (contract) and push out its lining during a period.
2
Source:
Coco AS.
Primary dysmenorrhea.
American Family Physician. 1999; 60: 489-497.
Coco AS.
Primary dysmenorrhea.
American Family Physician. 1999; 60: 489-497.
Source:
Fraser I.
Prostaglandins, prostaglandin inhibitors and their roles in gynaecological disorders.
Bailliere's Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1992; 6: 829-857.
Fraser I.
Prostaglandins, prostaglandin inhibitors and their roles in gynaecological disorders.
Bailliere's Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1992; 6: 829-857.
Pain can be caused by a medical condition such as
endometriosis, an
infection, or a
cyst on your
ovaries. This type of pain sometimes starts later in life, when a woman is in her 40s or 50s.
2
endometriosis
Endometriosis happens when tissue from the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries or the intestines. It can make you bleed more and have more pain when you get your period. It can also make it difficult for you to get pregnant.
Endometriosis happens when tissue from the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries or the intestines. It can make you bleed more and have more pain when you get your period. It can also make it difficult for you to get pregnant.
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
cysts
A cyst is a sac or cavity that develops under your skin and is filled with fluid. Cysts are benign, which means that they are not cancerous.
A cyst is a sac or cavity that develops under your skin and is filled with fluid. Cysts are benign, which means that they are not cancerous.
ovaries
Women have two ovaries, one on each side of their womb. They are small glands that store eggs. Inside the ovaries are millions of pre-eggs, called follicles. Some of these grow into eggs.
Women have two ovaries, one on each side of their womb. They are small glands that store eggs. Inside the ovaries are millions of pre-eggs, called follicles. Some of these grow into eggs.
Source:
Fraser I.
Prostaglandins, prostaglandin inhibitors and their roles in gynaecological disorders.
Bailliere's Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1992; 6: 829-857.
Fraser I.
Prostaglandins, prostaglandin inhibitors and their roles in gynaecological disorders.
Bailliere's Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1992; 6: 829-857.
Your period pain may be worse if you:
3
Source:
Sundell G, Milsom I, Andersch B.
Factors influencing the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhoea in young women.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1990; 97: 588-594.
Sundell G, Milsom I, Andersch B.
Factors influencing the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhoea in young women.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1990; 97: 588-594.
- Have longer periods
- Have periods that started at a younger age
- Smoke (more than 40 in 100 women who smoke get bad period pain, compared with 26 in 100 of women who don't smoke).
Sources for the information on this page:
- Coco AS.Primary dysmenorrhea.American Family Physician. 1999; 60: 489-497.
- Fraser I.Prostaglandins, prostaglandin inhibitors and their roles in gynaecological disorders.Bailliere's Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1992; 6: 829-857.
- Sundell G, Milsom I, Andersch B.Factors influencing the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhoea in young women.British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1990; 97: 588-594.
This information was last updated on May 08, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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