Painful periods

dysmenorrhea

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Cramping or pain before or during a period is very common. Pain that stops you doing everyday things, or that's getting worse over time, may be worth exploring.

You might notice

cramps in your lower tummy or back
pain that makes you cancel plans or miss school or work
painkillers that barely take the edge off
period pain that's got worse over time

Who can help

A naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner or women's health doctor is a good first stop. Acupuncture is often a gentle support alongside.

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Where it can overlap

Adenomyosis
Painful periods can overlap with adenomyosis. Established
Endometriosis
Painful periods can overlap with endometriosis. Established
Pelvic pain
Painful periods can overlap with pelvic pain. Established
Fibroids
Painful periods can overlap with fibroids. Established

3 more threads +

PMS
Painful periods can overlap with PMS. Established
After birth control
Painful periods can overlap with after birth control. Associated
Heavy periods
Painful periods can show up alongside heavy periods. Associated

Established: well documented · Associated: linked, not a cause · Emerging: early research · Woo exploration: worth exploring, not yet sourced. A link isn't a cause.

Keep exploring

Heavy periodsBleeding that soaks a pad or tampon every hour or two, comes with large clots or lasts longer than a week. It's…Also in Hormones + cycle After birth controlThe shifts some people notice in the months after coming off hormonal contraception, like cycles finding their…Also in Hormones + cycle PMSThe physical and emotional shifts many people notice after ovulation and before a period, from bloating and tender…Also in Hormones + cycle

14 sources · how we checked

Everything on this page was researched from clinical guidance, government health sources and published reviews first, then single studies. Where a connection is only worth exploring, it says so.

A note from Woo: Body Map is here to help you explore and ask better questions. It isn't a diagnostic tool or a substitute for medical care. Relationships shown here represent areas that may be associated or worth exploring, not a diagnosis or statement of cause.

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