Painful Menstrual PeriodsSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Painful Menstrual Periods
Painful menstrual periods are periods in which a woman has crampy lower abdominal pain, which can be sharp or aching and come and go. Back pain and/or leg pain may also be present.
Some pain during your period is normal, but a large amount of pain is not. The medical term for painful menstrual periods is dysmenorrhea.
Menstruation - painful; Dysmenorrhea; Periods - painful; Cramps - menstrual; Menstrual cramps
Many women have painful periods. Sometimes, the pain makes it hard to do normal household, job, or school-related activities for a few days during each menstrual cycle. Painful menstruation is the leading cause of lost time from school and work among women in their teens and 20s.
Painful menstrual periods fall into two groups, depending on the cause:
- Primary dysmenorrhea
- Secondary dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that occurs around the time that menstrual periods first begin in otherwise healthy young women. In most cases, this pain is not related to a specific problem with the uterus or other pelvic organs. Increased activity of the hormone prostaglandin, which is produced in the uterus, is thought to play a role in this condition.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that develops later in women who have had normal periods. It is often related to problems in the uterus or other pelvic organs, such as:
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Intrauterine device (IUD) made of copper
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Sexually transmitted infection
- Stress and anxiety
The following steps may help you to avoid prescription medicines:
- Apply a heating pad to your lower belly area, below your belly button. Never fall asleep with the heating pad on.
- Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower belly area.
- Drink warm beverages.
- Eat light, but frequent meals.
- Keep your legs raised while lying down or lie on your side with your knees bent.
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
- Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Start taking it the day before your period is expected to begin and continue taking it regularly for the first few days of your period.
- Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is associated with PMS.
- Take warm showers or baths.
- Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.
- Lose weight if you are overweight. Get regular, aerobic exercise.
If these self-care measures do not work, your health care provider may offer you treatment such as:
- Birth control pills
- Hormone-containing IUD
- Prescription anti-inflammatory medicines
- Prescription pain relievers (including narcotics, for brief periods)
- Antidepressants
- Antibiotics
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Surgery (laparoscopy) to rule out endometriosis or other pelvic disease
Contact your provider right away if you have:
- Increased or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Fever and pelvic pain
- Sudden or severe pain, especially if your period is more than 1 week late and you have been sexually active.
Also contact your provider if:
- Treatments do not relieve your pain after 3 months.
- You have pain and had an IUD placed more than 3 months ago.
- You pass blood clots or have other symptoms with the pain.
- Your pain occurs at times other than menstruation, begins more than 5 days before your period, or continues after your period is over.
Your provider will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms.
Tests and procedures that may be done include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Cultures to check for sexually-transmitted infections
- Laparoscopy
- Pelvic ultrasound
Treatment depends on what is causing your pain.
Endeavor Health Medical Group
Frank Tu, MD, a pelvic surgeon, obstetrician and gynecologist at Endeavor Health, integrates surgical expertise with NIH-funded clinical research to advance outcomes in women’s health. His practice focuses on complex pelvic pain and minimally invasive surgical care, often supporting patients referred after multiple consultations. Dr. Tu collaborates across disciplines to address challenging cases and leads innovations in surgical standardization and AI-driven research into disease mechanisms. With a patient-centered approach grounded in humility and curiosity, he helps patients find clarity and comfort in their care journey. Dr. Tu is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Menstrual Periods. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Painful Menstrual Periods, Interstitial Cystitis, Endometriosis, Hysterectomy, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Tu is board certified in American Board Of Obstetrics And Gynecology.
Utah Valley Hospitalists
Dr. Julie Grover is an OB/GYN Hospitalist at Intermountain Health’s Utah Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology in Provo, Utah. She supports patients throughout Utah County, caring for patients who don't have their own doctor at Utah Valley Hospital, by responding to emergency situations, assisting other doctors when needed, and accepting high-risk patients transported from outlying hospitals. She treats normal and high-risk pregnancy, complications of pregnancy including preeclampsia, bleeding disorders, preterm labor, infections, and others.Dr. Grover has been a busy general OB/GYN, having practiced for 23 years. In April 2025, she shifted to a laborist position to have more family and personal time. With this change, she remains dedicated to delivering high-quality and considerate care to women in various circumstances.When not working, the Provo, Utah native enjoys hiking in Utah’s glorious mountains, practicing yoga, traveling to interesting places, and playing with her dogs. She has five biological children, two officially adopted, and a few unofficially adopted people she considers her children.Conditions Treated: Normal and high risk pregnancyComplications of pregnancyPreeclampsiaBleeding disordersPreterm laborInfectionsProcedures Performed: Normal vaginal deliveriesForceps deliveriesCesarean sectionsTubal ligationExternal cephalic versionAny other obstetric procedures needed. Dr. Grover is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Menstrual Periods. She is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Painful Menstrual Periods, Menorrhagia, Menopause, Intrauterine Device Insertion, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Dr. Grover is board certified in American Board Of Obstetrics And Gynecology. Dr. Grover is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Womens Care
Dr. Mina K. Sinacori was born and raised in suburban Long Island, N.Y. She graduated with her medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, and also earned a Master of Public Health degree while at NYU. She is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist.Dr. Sinacori married her college sweetheart and relocated to Houston, Texas, where she completed her OB/GYN residency at Baylor College of Medicine. Prior to joining Texas Health Women's Care, she served as the lead physician in a private practice in the Houston area. Her clinical interests include normal and high-risk pregnancy, contraception, menstrual disorders, breast health, cervical dysplasia, fibroids, robotic/minimally invasive surgery, hormonal therapy, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and preventative women's healthcare. Her goal is delivering individualized and compassionate care for women of all ages.Dr. Sinacori has served on multiple executive boards and committees involved in patient advocacy and quality care initiatives. She was 2021 President of the Houston Academy of Medicine, 2022-24 Chair of the Texas Medical Association's Council on Health Service Organizations, and 2023 President of Harris County Medical Society, the largest county medical society in the country. She has published research on innovative technologies in maternal-fetal medicine and spoken on many topics including wellness, contraception, public health, and HPV vaccination/virology. Dr. Sinacori believes in the benefits of preventive care and healthy living during pregnancy and throughout life. She is passionate about personalizing her patient care around each woman's unique needs for health and wellness.Dr. Sinacori is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She and her husband have two wonderful children and a close-knit family. She loves animals, cooking, and enjoys the outdoors. Dr. Sinacori is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Painful Menstrual Periods. She is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Carney Complex, Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Intestinal Leiomyoma, Female Genital Sores, and Intrauterine Device Insertion.
Summary: The LUNA study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, decentralized clinical trial in participants with heavy menstrual bleeding of no known structural cause. The study includes two age-based cohorts: adolescents aged 14-21 and adults aged 22-45. Participants in both cohorts will be randomized to receive transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN), which targets the auric...
Summary: The purpose of this study if to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDE100 in the Treatment of Menstrual Cramp Pain Associated With Primary Dysmenorrhea.
Published Date: April 16, 2024
Published By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dysmenorrhea: painful periods. FAQ046. www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Dysmenorrhea-Painful-Periods. Updated January 2022. Accessed April 23, 2024.
Mendiratta V, Lentz GM. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: etiology, diagnosis, management. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 35.
Pattanittum P, Kunyanone N, Brown J, et al. Dietary supplements for dysmenorrhea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;3(3):CD002124. PMID: 27000311 www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000311/.