More than half of people who have periods get pain on the first 1–2 days, and it's usually mild. If it hurts right now, I know how draining it is. This kind of pain can be eased, and you don't have to put up with it in silence.
Why do periods hurt at all?
During a period, the womb tightens to push out its inner lining. Prostaglandins, substances made by the lining itself, make these contractions stronger. They peak on day one, so that day is often the worst, and the pain usually lasts up to 3 days.
Why do my back and gut join in?
Cramps can spread to your lower back and thighs, so an aching back on these days is part of your period too. Prostaglandins also act on the gut, which is why the first days can bring loose stools and nausea. With severe pain, some people also get headaches and dizziness.
What helps right now?
Put a towel-wrapped heat pad or hot water bottle on your lower tummy, or have a warm shower or bath. A gentle belly and back massage helps, and so does easy movement like walking, yoga, swimming or cycling. Don't fall asleep with a hot pad on, and take it off if your skin turns red or stings.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen help with cramps because they cut down the prostaglandins your body makes. They work best if you take them at the first sign of your period or pain. Take them as the leaflet says, usually for just 1–2 days.
When is pain a reason to see a doctor?
Doctors look for a cause when pain stops you studying, working or sleeping, doesn't ease with ordinary painkillers, or worsens every year. Pain that starts a few days before your period and doesn't stop when it ends is also worth a check.
There may be a treatable cause behind that kind of pain, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids or an infection. And there's no need to measure your pain against a friend who "just puts up with it". Everyone's pain is their own.
Common questions
What can a doctor offer if home remedies don't help?
Prescription anti-inflammatories, a TENS machine, or hormonal contraception. A TENS machine uses mild electrical pulses to reduce pain. The pill, implant or injection make the womb lining thinner, so periods get lighter and less painful.
Will the pill hurt my chances of getting pregnant later?
No. Fertility usually returns to its previous level about a month after you stop the pill.
Will it get easier as I get older?
For many people, periods hurt less with age, and for some it gets easier after giving birth. You don't need to wait it out in pain, though. You can ease it now.
In short
- Wrap a heat pad in a towel and put it on your lower tummy
- Take pain relief at the first sign, as the leaflet says
- Note painful days in the calendar and what they made you cancel
Source: NHS: Period pain
Educational content; it does not replace professional medical advice.