Why Is My Period SO Painful?!
Many menstruators experience pain during their periods. The type of pain and its location can vary, but in most cases its totally normal and should not last more than a few days.
Below are some main pointers about period pain, why it happens, what to expect, and what you can do to help you feel better.
Why does period pain happen?
During your period the muscles around the womb contract forcefully to help shed the lining (which causes the bleeding). So essentially, period pains are severe muscle cramps. It is not clear why some people have stronger cramps than others, although there are some known factors that can make period pain worse, including: medical conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease, and IUD contraceptive devices.
What are the symptoms of period pain?
In most cases period pain is concentrated around the abdomen and feels like a muscle cramps. You may experience a dull pain or short sharp pains. You may also experience dizziness, headaches, and pain or soreness in other places such as your thighs, pelvis, and back. Many people complain of feeling fatigue, and some experience nausea and bowel irregularities such as constipation or loose stools.
What can I do to feel better?
Firstly, be kind to yourself. If you feel like just curling up with a hot water bottle that is fine! Keeping the abdomen warm helps sooths cramps.
On the other hand, if you feel like being active that is also fine. Studies have shown that it is safe to exercise during your period, and some people find it relieves pain by releasing “happy chemicals” like endorphins.
In other good news, many studies have shown that chocolate is good for period pains, as are other foods high in magnesium such as nuts, seed, and spinach.
There are many natural products on the market that can gently soothe muscle cramps, including aromatherapy candles, relaxing bath salts, and herbal teas. However, if you feel you need something a bit stronger you can take an over-the-counter pain killer.
Most importantly, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
What if it gets really bad?
In most cases period pains should go away after a few days. However, if you experience prolonged period pain, or your pains are getting worse over time, you should talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to rule out any potential causes for concern (such as a bacterial infection), or prescribe stronger pain medications to help.