Why Is My Period So Painful?

About 80% of people with uteruses have painful, crampy periods at some point in their lives. You’re more likely to experience dysmenorrhea (i.e., ancient Greek for “difficult monthly flow”) if your mother had it too. When you menstruate, your uterus actively sheds the lining that it’s built up over the last few weeks, while preparing to nourish a potential baby.

To expel the lining, your uterus contracts, which may make you feel crampy and bloated. You may also feel a little foggy, tired, and have tender breasts. Usually, the pain can be controlled with mild painkillers and passes within a few days.

However, in 5-10% of cases, your period pain is more than mildly uncomfortable. The pain and discomfort is so extreme that you may not be able to participate in activities that you usually enjoy. You may miss work or school, or have trouble getting through your day.

If you have painful periods, our expert team at Gorman Medical, PC, wants to help. Through our women’s services, Charles Ripp, MD, and Fran Gorman, DNP, diagnose and treat dysmenorrhea at our Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek, Colorado, offices.

Why is your period so painful and what can you do about it? Some answers are below.

Primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea refers to pain that’s strictly related to the process of menstruation. Your uterus contracts over and over during your period so that you can expel its blood-rich lining through your vagina (i.e., your menstrual flow).

The uterine muscles, like other muscles, can become crampy with overuse, causing sharp or dull, achy pain. In addition, your uterus may not be getting as much blood flow as usual, which may make the tissues feel irritated and inflamed.

The cramps can also cause fatigue. You may feel nauseated, or have bowel troubles such as diarrhea too. Your back, pelvis, or legs may ache.

Primary dysmenorrhea usually occurs in the earliest stages of your menstruation when you’re a preteen or teenager. As your uterus and body acclimate to the monthly contractions, the pain may lessen.

We may treat primary dysmenorrhea with a contraceptive pill. The hormones in the pill reduce your menstrual flow or stop it altogether. You use them for several months or up to a year at a time.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

When your period pain doesn’t simply arise from the uterine contractions and other bodily processes that accompany menstruation, it’s known as secondary dysmenorrhea. You have secondary dysmenorrhea when your pain periods are caused by abnormalities in your reproductive organs such as:

• Endometriosis (uterine lining grows outside the uterus)
• Adenomyosis (uterine lining grows into uterine muscle)
• Uterine fibroids (benign muscle tumors in or on the uterus)
• Ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs on your ovaries)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID, i.e., uterine infection)
• Cervical stenosis (cervix becomes narrowed)

You could have a congenital condition, such as a misshapen uterus or abnormal ovaries or fallopian tubes. During our investigation, we may order X-rays or ultrasound to determine the state and health of all of your reproductive organs.

Depending on what we find, we may recommend procedures to correct any physical abnormalities. For instance, we may shrink fibroids with hormones and then remove them surgically. If you have PID, a course of antibiotics should resolve the bacterial infection and subsequent pain.

Don’t suffer alone

If hot compresses and mild painkillers don’t manage your period pain, you don’t have to suffer silently. Let us know about your painful periods when you come in for your healthy woman exam, or call us any time you experience undue pain or discomfort while menstruating.

Although some cramping and discomfort is normal and should be expected, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it. We conduct a thorough examination and take a personal history to determine the causes of your painful period, and then customize a treatment plan. 

Do you need relief from your painful periods? Get the help you need for women’s health services and treatment by reaching out to our team by phone or convenient online form today.