Reviewed By:
Ravi P. Chokshi, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care)
Current Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with Dual board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Critical Care Medicine. | 5+ years experience managing a general Ob/Gyn practice and working in the Intensive Care Unit. | Previously Physician Lead of a large single specialty practice with 8 Physicians and 10+ Advanced practitioners. | Member of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Patient education committee. | Frequent Medscape Consult contributor.
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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Feeling the pain associated with menstruation
Painful menstrual periods
Painful menstruation
My period is painful
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About the Symptom
Period cramps also known as menstrual cramps are a normal part of the regular menstrual cycle. Most women will have some pain and discomfort related to period bleeding that will resolve on its own in a few days. Heavier bleeding or severe pain that causes disturbance in day to day activities and missing school or work would be considered abnormal.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Intermenstrual bleeding
Abnormal menstruation
Menstrual abnormality (duration or volume)
Low back pain
Pelvic pain
Lower abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Period cramps can be related to:
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain with menstruation. For most women this is mild and tolerable, but for some it can be severe and cause interference in living their life and doing normal activities. Primary or functional dysmenorrhea means the common menstrual cramps/pain that recur with each cycle and is not due to other diseases. This pain is from the natural cramping of the uterus as it sheds it lining, and typically gets better after the first few days. Secondary dysmenorrhea is due to some problem within the reproductive system. Functional dysmenorrhea is usually diagnosed only after other investigations (e.g. ultrasound) do not find any abnormalities responsible for the pain.
A condition where endometrial cells (cells that line the womb) grow outside the uterus, typically near the ovaries or fallopian tubes. It is a common cause of pelvic pain, that can worsen with menstruation. The exact cause is unclear but there are several possible explanations, including the backward flow of menstrual blood into the abdominal cavity, immune system disorders, or transformation of normal abdominal cells. It is typically seen in reproductive aged women, and most often diagnosed in their 30's and 40's. It can cause infertility in some patients due to scarring of the fallopian tubes.
This complication occurs in women who have had a cesarean section and the muscle layer of the uterus fails to heal properly in that area. Another name for this condition is cesarean scar defect or uterine niche. It can in some cases cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain, and infertility.
Uterine Malformation
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Do you experience severe period cramps?
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Find Similar Symptoms
References
ACOG Patient FAQ
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods
Dysmenorrhea and Endometriosis in the Adolescent
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/12/dysmenorrhea-and-endometriosis-in-the-adolescent
Nagy H, Khan MAB. Dysmenorrhea. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560834/
French L. Dysmenorrhea. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Jan 15;71(2):285-91. PMID: 15686299.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15686299/
Reviewed By:
Ravi P. Chokshi, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care)
Current Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with Dual board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Critical Care Medicine. | 5+ years experience managing a general Ob/Gyn practice and working in the Intensive Care Unit. | Previously Physician Lead of a large single specialty practice with 8 Physicians and 10+ Advanced practitioners. | Member of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Patient education committee. | Frequent Medscape Consult contributor.
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
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