Menstrual pain PDF Print E-mail
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Menstrual pain is commonly described as a cramping, sharp or burning pain in the lower abdomen that occurs a few days before or during menstruation. It typically occurs in waves although it may also be constant, and the pain may also be felt in the lower back and legs.

Most women will experience mild menstrual pain at some point in their lives, some women more often than others. Some women experience period pain every cycle, while others only occasionally. The exact reasons for some women experiencing period pain more than others are unknown, but there is a strong genetic link. Women whose mothers experienced period pain will typically experience similar symptoms of similar severity as their mothers.

Period pain may be mild or severe. Severe and intense period pain may be completely debilitating and render a woman unable to move due to the pain. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur in severe cases. Dysmenorrhoea refers to abnormally painful menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea may be caused by endometriosis, infection of the uterus and its lining, ovarian cysts and fibroids. Women going through menopause may also experience dysmenorrhoea.

It is estimated that at least ten percent of women experience dysmenorrhoea which is severe enough to prevent them from performing their normal daily activities. Factors that may affect or contribute to the severity of one's menstrual pain are weight problems, stress, anxiety, abuse, smoking and illegal drug use. Women who suffer from menstrual pain may experience a decrease in their pain after giving birth. Most women find that the application of heat (from a hot water bottle for example) may reduce or alleviate or reduce mild pain. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if your menstrual pain has not subsided after four days or if you experience menstrual pain during more than two consecutive menstrual cycles.