Painful Periods

Mild contractions constantly pass through the muscular wall of the uterus, and they are rarely noticed by most women. During menstruation they are stronger than normal and during labor they’re stronger still.

The point of these contractions is to help your uterus shed its lining so a new one can grow in preparation for a fertilized egg to implant itself.

Mild period pain, unfortunately is completely normal. Severe period pain, (or dysmenorrhea) which will have started around the time your periods first begun, should always be checked by a physician. Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and inflammatory disease can all cause severe period pain. A general rule of thumb is that if the pain is stopping you from getting on with your life, it should always be checked by a physician to discover a cause or cure.

There are generally two types of period pain, spasmodic and congestive: Spasmodic period pain describes cramps in the lower abdomen that can sometimes be as painful as labor pains. The pains usually come in waves and are more painful at the beginning of your period. They may also be accompanied by sickness, headaches or diarrhea. The pains are caused by a lack of estrogen in your body as your uterus contracts in order to shed its lining. The good news is during pregnancy your body is filled with estrogen and your uterus is stretched by the growing fetus – this means you may find the pain is less severe once your periods return after having your baby.

Congestive period pain describes a pain in the lower abdomen and sometimes the back for about a week before your period arrives and for a few days during your period. Unfortunately this type of period pain does not seem to subside after having a baby and can even get worse.

Exercise can help ease the pain of periods, as can a hot water bottle applied to your lower abdomen. Homeopathic remedies have also proved successful.

If you have any unanswered questions, use our answers page to gain wisdom from other moms or our resident experts on this or any other topic.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.