Is All Period Pain Normal? – Patients

Is All Period Pain Normal?

Not all period pains are ‘normal’ period pains caused by simple uterine spasms. It’s important to understand the difference between common menstrual cramps and pain caused by underlying conditions.

What Is Considered Normal Period Pain (Primary Dysmenorrhea)?

  • Caused by uterine muscle contractions (spasms) due to prostaglandins.
  • Starts just before or at the beginning of your period.
  • Typically lasts 1–3 days.
  • Crampy pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes radiating to the lower back or thighs.
  • Improves with painkillers (NSAIDs) or the oral contraceptive pill (OCP).
  • Common in teens and young women, especially in the first years after periods begin.

When Period Pain May Not Be Normal (Secondary Dysmenorrhea)

These pains are usually due to an underlying condition and need medical evaluation. Clues include:

  • Pain that starts years after your periods began (typically in your 20s or 30s).
  • Pain that starts well before your period and lasts longer.
  • Pain that doesn’t improve with common painkillers or hormonal pills.
  • Pain during sex, urination, or bowel movements.
  • Irregular periods or heavy bleeding.

Possible Causes of Abnormal Period Pain

  • Endometriosis – tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.
  • Adenomyosis – uterine lining tissue grows into the uterine muscle wall.
  • Fibroids – non-cancerous growths in the uterus.
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – infection of the reproductive organs.
  • Ovarian cysts or structural abnormalities of the uterus.

When to See a Doctor – Dr Sharad Ratna, ObGynae +60107778901 (klwomenspecialist.com.my)

Seek medical attention if your period pain:
• Disrupts your daily activities
• Gets worse over time
• Doesn’t improve with medication
• Is accompanied by pain during sex, infertility, or bowel symptoms

 

Dr Sharad ObGynae
+6010 7778901