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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.

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

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

Your period pain may be worse if you:³

• Have longer periods
• Have periods that started at a younger age
• Smoke. More than 40 percent of women who smoke get bad period pain, compared with 26 percent of women who don't smoke.

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 2008. All rights reserved.