Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Dysmenorrhoea is the term used to describe painful periods.
- Period pain may consist of cramping in your pelvic area, pain in your stomach, lower back and legs or a constant ache.
- Women who have painful periods may have higher levels of natural chemicals than normal which cause contractions of the uterus, bowel and blood vessels.
- Treatment options include pain-relieving medication, anti-inflammatory medication, the oral combined contraceptive pill, heat (such as a hot water bottle) and regular exercise.
- Some period pain is caused by other conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids or adenomyosis.
On this page
About period pain
Period pain happens when the muscles in the uterus (womb) contract or tighten strongly.
It’s normal to have some pain during your period.
What is normal period pain?
Period pain is ‘normal’ if:
- you have pain one or 2 days before your period, or when your period starts, and the pain lasts up to 3 days
- the pain improves when you use pain-relief medication.
It’s important to talk to your doctor if your period pain interferes with your daily life.
Symptoms of period pain
Period pain might be:
- cramping in your pelvic area
- pain in your stomach, lower back and legs
- gripping pain
- a constant ache.
You may have stronger pain on the first day of your period and there might be some blood clots in your period.
Other symptoms include:
- headaches
- feeling sick
- digestive problems – such as diarrhoea or constipation
- premenstrual symptoms – such as sore breasts and a swollen abdomen
- pain for the first 2 or 3 days of your period.
Causes of period pain
Women who have painful periods may have higher levels of natural chemicals than normal. These chemicals (prostaglandins) cause contractions of the uterus, bowel and blood vessels.
Treatment options for period pain
If you have painful periods, you can try:
- pain-relief medication – such as paracetamol
- anti-inflammatory medication – such as ibuprofen
- regular exercise, which releases natural chemicals (endorphins) that relieve pain
- putting a heat pack or hot water bottle on your abdomen and lower back to help relax the muscles
- the pill – a contraceptive that reduces prostaglandins and pain
- the Mirena™ intrauterine device (IUD) – a contraceptive that releases progestogen into the uterus to make periods lighter and less painful.
Period pain caused by other conditions
Some period pain is caused by other conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids or adenomyosis.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those that line the uterus grow in other areas of your body, especially around your ovaries and behind your uterus.
Some women have mild pain when they have their periods and others have severe pain during their whole menstrual cycle.
Fibroids
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths found in the muscle layer of the uterus.
Some women with fibroids experience painful periods.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition where the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. This can cause heavy and painful periods.
If you are diagnosed with endometriosis, fibroids or adenomyosis, your doctor will talk to you about different treatment options, depending on your individual situation.
When to see your doctor
Talk to your doctor if simple treatments for period pain don’t help, or your symptoms are so painful they affect your daily life (for example, the pain stops you from going to school or work).
More information
For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit Jean Hailes for Women's Health.
Where to get help
- Armour M, Parry K, Manohar N, et al. 2019, ‘The prevalence and academic impact of dysmenorrhea in 21,573 young women: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, J Womens Health (Larchmt), vol. 28, no. 8, pp. 1161-1171.
- McKenna K, Fogelman C 2021, ‘Dysmenorrhoea’, American Academy of Family Physicians, vol. 104, no. 2, pp.164-170.
- Dysmenorrhoea, Queensland Health.