Dealing with Debilitating Period Pain: Why Do My Menstrual Cramps Hurt So Bad?

Anyone who’s had a period knows the blood is just the beginning of the joys. Let’s list some of our besties: Bloating, fatigue, and irritability—hey girls!—are all common experiences. However, the number one complaint from people who menstruate is, you guessed it, period pain. If you’re experiencing painful periods, you’re not alone! According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, over 84% of women report experiencing menstrual pain. Hot tip: Learning about period pain and tactics for reducing it might not make your period fun, but it will definitely make it less stressful. So, let’s get started!

What is period pain?

Period pain, called dysmenorrhea in science speak, is typically caused by a cramping sensation in your lower abdomen. Period cramps can spread to your lower back, giving you a broader sense of body aches. Menstrual cramps can also come with other symptoms, most commonly headaches and nausea. Period pain is categorized into two types: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea, the most common, is regularly experienced before and during menstruation. Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs when periods become more painful over time due to other conditions. While primary dysmenorrhea is normal and expected during each period, secondary dysmenorrhea is something to look out for as you observe changes in your period over the years.

Why are periods painful?

There are a few different reasons you may experience pain during your period. Here are the top 5 causes of period pain: 

1. Period cramps

   fall under primary dysmenorrhea and are the most common complaint about periods. During menstruation, your uterus produces an elevated amount of a hormone called prostaglandins. This causes the uterus to contract, temporarily halting blood and oxygen flow to the muscle and resulting in cramps. If you’ve already experienced your first period, you’re likely very familiar with menstrual cramps and know that cramping is a normal and expected part of your cycle. But you might wonder, why does my period hurt so bad? The intensity of period pain can vary due to the level of prostaglandins.
   
   
2. Reproductive health conditions
   Underlying medical conditions can affect your period pain, especially those that directly affect your reproductive health. Conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease are associated with dysmenorrhea and can impact your reproductive health. Cervical stenosis, a rarer condition, can also lead to cervix pain and dysmenorrhea as it narrows the cervix and builds up the pressure in your uterus.
   
   
3. Ongoing medical conditions
   The menstrual cycle can also change in other ongoing medical conditions you may have. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis can experience increased pain, fatigue, and arthritic flares as progesterone levels decrease during their cycle. This can lead to increased discomfort when inserting your tampon or performing daily activities. If you have an ongoing medical condition that you deal with daily, it’s worth learning how your condition interacts with your menstrual cycle!
   
   
4. Contraceptive devices 
   An intrauterine device (IUD) is a form of contraception. The T-shaped device made of copper or plastic is inserted through the opening of the cervix and into the uterus by a doctor or medical professional. You may experience cervix pain which can feel like period cramps when the IUD is first inserted. In the first few months after insertion, IUDs can sometimes lead to period pain, irregular periods, bleeding between periods, vaginal discharge, or pain during sex. Soon, though, the IUD should feel comfortable enough that you forget it’s there (and if it doesn’t, talk to the doc).
   
   
5. Inserting tampons incorrectly
   Sometimes, other factors outside of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea make your period uncomfortable. If your tampon causes pain or discomfort, it’s possible you are having trouble inserting the tampon at the correct angle or depth (enter: TINA!). For example, inserting your tampon too deep can result in cervix pain if the tampon hits your cervix and shifts inside your body. But when a tampon is correctly inserted—a process greatly improved with a TINA device—you shouldn’t feel discomfort while wearing it.

Let’s get to the meat n’ potatoes. How do you reduce period pain?

Looking for solutions? Don’t worry, angel. We’ve got you! Here are a few important tools to have in your toolkit to manage your period pain at home.

• Heating pads
• Pain killers
• Tampon insertion aid
• Physical exercise
• Rest

On those extra-crampy days, soothe away the cramps with some serious WARMT!. Try resting a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen. A warm bath can also do the trick! If you need more help, anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, relieve pain and lessen your uterus’ production of prostaglandins to reduce cramps.

Try an assistive device if you are experiencing pain when inserting your tampon due to arthritis or another condition that limits your mobility. TINA, the one-of-a-kind tampon insertion aid, gives you extra reach and mobility to help relieve the strain of inserting/removing tampons. TINA can also help reduce any problems you have inserting the tampon at the correct depth and angle to make regular tampon use much more comfortable.

During your period, it’s important to find a balance between rest and exercise. Some days, you may rather take a nap than exercise when you have period fatigue. Give your mind and body a rest when needed with relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and plain old rest. But when you’re feeling up to it, even light exercise, like taking a walk, can help reduce pain.

There you have it! We hope these solutions can help make menstruation more manageable. Period pain doesn’t have to stop you from living your best life, even when it’s that time of the month! If you still have questions and concerns about period pain and your reproductive health, always consult your physician or a gynecologist.