Period Pain: Should I Be Worried?

Menstrual cramps

When it comes to that time of the month, it's common to experience some ache or discomfort, especially if you are young and you have had it since you started having your menses.

However, severe period cramps are not normal. They can signal an underlying condition – one that may impact your fertility.

Get it checked by a doctor – one of these could be causing your abnormal period pains.

Gynaecological conditions that may cause period pain

Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts: Fluid-filled sacs within the ovary. They often show no symptoms. Some may affect fertility and a large ovarian cyst can cause abnormal discomfort.

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids: Growths in the uterus which may sometimes affect fertility. They often come without symptoms.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis: It's when the lining of the womb gets displaced outside the uterus, where it shouldn't be. This makes the organs scar and stick together, causing pain and problems getting pregnant.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infection that starts from the vagina and spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. May damage the reproductive organs if left untreated.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis: It's when the lining of the womb grows into the uterus wall. This can make the womb swell, and cause painful periods and heavy bleeding.

Worrying signs of abnormal period pain

Prolonged period pain

In some women with a condition called secondary dysmenorrhea, their period pain worsen over time and often lasts longer than normal period pain.

The pain may begin a few days before a period starts, worsen as the period continues and may not go away after it ends.

Severe period pain that disrupts your normal life

Between 5 – 20% of women experience severe period pain that interferes with their daily life.

If your pain is so intense that you regularly miss work or school, that may be an indication that something much more serious is going on.

Pain in the pelvis or abdomen

Experiencing ache or pressure in your pelvis or lower abdomen/back, even at times outside your period may signal a problem.

Severe abdominal or pelvic pain may indicate something more serious, such as an ectopic pregnancy, toxic shock syndrome or even appendicitis.

Period cramps that last too long

Bleeding during menstruation varies from woman to woman but typically lasts between 2 – 7 days. However, it is not normal to have bad period pain throughout this time.

Period cramps that last more than 2 – 3 days (with pain sometimes happening outside the menstrual period) should be further checked for other possible issues.

Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding

Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding is a condition that is known as menorrhagia. Women who have this condition can't maintain their daily activities because they experience so much blood loss and cramping.

Symptoms of this condition include soaking through multiple sanitary pads throughout the day and needing to wake up at night to change their pads. There is also a feeling of tiredness, fatigue or having shortness of breath.

Other symptoms

You may experience other related symptoms such as:

• Unusual spotting between cycles
• Nausea or diarrhoea accompanying your cramps
• Bloating
• Fever
• Irregular periods
• Pain during sex