Period pain
Health topics Periods Period pain Learn more about period pain, including what’s normal, the causes, what you can do and when to see your doctor. Print / PDF What is period pain? What is normal period pain? What causes period pain? What you can do to manage period pain When to see your doctor about period pain Reviewed For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit jeanhailes.org.au Key takeaways It’s normal to experience pain, such as cramping, on the first 2 days of your period. Period pain is usually caused by uterus muscle contractions. See your doctor if period pain impacts your daily life, school or work. Sections on this page What is period pain? What is normal period pain? What causes period pain? What you can do to manage period pain When to see your doctor about period pain Print / PDF Key takeaways It’s normal to experience pain, such as cramping, on the first 2 days of your period. Period pain is usually caused by uterus muscle contractions. See your doctor if period pain impacts your daily life, school or work. What is period pain? Period pain is cramping and heaviness in the pelvic area that happens when your uterus muscles tighten. Many people get pain in their tummy or lower back when they have their periods. You might also have nausea, vomiting, bloating, tiredness and diarrhoea. Some people have mild discomfort, while others experience severe pain that stops them from doing everyday activities. Period pain is more common in younger women. And it’s the most common cause of pelvic pain. What is normal period pain? Period pain is normal if: it happens on the first 2 days of your period it doesn’t impact your daily life. If the pain is very strong or stops you from doing everyday activities, see your doctor. They will check to make sure the pain isn’t related to other health problems, such as endometriosis or adenomyosis. What causes period pain? Period pain happens when your uterus muscles tighten or cramp to push out the lining. Some health conditions can cause stronger period pain. For example, endometriosis and adenomyosis. What you can do to manage period pain There are many practical ways to manage your period pain. For example: take pain-relief medicine, such as anti-inflammatories, before your period starts and during the first 2 or 3 days if needed use a heat pack or have a warm bath to help relax your muscles do regular physical activity to release ‘feel-good’ hormones (endorphins). Some people find relaxation techniques, such as meditation, breathing or yoga help to relieve stress. But there isn’t enough quality evidence to show this helps relieve period pain. Some people find complementary therapies can help relieve period pain. For example: acupuncture TENS machine supplements, such as fish oil and vitamin D. But there is limited evidence about the effectiveness of these therapies. You can also ask your doctor about hormone medicines to treat period pain, for example, an IUD or the Pill. When to see your doctor about period pain It’s important to see your doctor about period pain that impacts your quality of life. For example, if you need to take time off school or work, or you plan your life around your periods. It’s helpful to record information about your periods and take it with you to discuss at your appointment. You can record: when you get your periods the length and heaviness of your periods how period pain affects you. Review process Our review process This information has been reviewed by clinical experts and is based on the latest evidence. Our content review process ensures our health information is accurate, trustworthy, current and useful. We regularly check our information to make sure it reflects the latest clinical guidelines and key findings from large, reliable studies. Where possible, we focus on Australian research to make our information more relevant locally. Experts play a key role in reviewing our content. Clinicians at Jean Hailes check information for accuracy and real‑world relevance. These include GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and allied health professionals. We also work with partner organisations, independent specialists and people with lived experience to make sure our content reflects both expert knowledge and the experiences of the community. Health information in your language view all You might want to know more about Topic Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Topic Irregular periods Topic Absent periods Topic Heavy periods (menorrhagia)

Period pain

Learn more about period pain, including what’s normal, the causes, what you can do and when to see your doctor.

Print / PDF

Reviewed

Key takeaways

It’s normal to experience pain, such as cramping, on the first 2 days of your period.
Period pain is usually caused by uterus muscle contractions.
See your doctor if period pain impacts your daily life, school or work.

Key takeaways

It’s normal to experience pain, such as cramping, on the first 2 days of your period.
Period pain is usually caused by uterus muscle contractions.
See your doctor if period pain impacts your daily life, school or work.

What is period pain?

Period pain is cramping and heaviness in the pelvic area that happens when your uterus muscles tighten.

Many people get pain in their tummy or lower back when they have their periods. You might also have nausea, vomiting, bloating, tiredness and diarrhoea.

Some people have mild discomfort, while others experience severe pain that stops them from doing everyday activities.

Period pain is more common in younger women. And it’s the most common cause of pelvic pain.

What is normal period pain?

Period pain is normal if:

it happens on the first 2 days of your period
it doesn’t impact your daily life.

If the pain is very strong or stops you from doing everyday activities, see your doctor. They will check to make sure the pain isn’t related to other health problems, such as endometriosis or adenomyosis.

What causes period pain?

Period pain happens when your uterus muscles tighten or cramp to push out the lining.

Some health conditions can cause stronger period pain. For example, endometriosis and adenomyosis.

What you can do to manage period pain

There are many practical ways to manage your period pain. For example:

take pain-relief medicine, such as anti-inflammatories, before your period starts and during the first 2 or 3 days if needed
use a heat pack or have a warm bath to help relax your muscles
do regular physical activity to release ‘feel-good’ hormones (endorphins).

Some people find relaxation techniques, such as meditation, breathing or yoga help to relieve stress. But there isn’t enough quality evidence to show this helps relieve period pain.

Some people find complementary therapies can help relieve period pain. For example:

acupuncture
TENS machine
supplements, such as fish oil and vitamin D.

But there is limited evidence about the effectiveness of these therapies.

You can also ask your doctor about hormone medicines to treat period pain, for example, an IUD or the Pill.

When to see your doctor about period pain

It’s important to see your doctor about period pain that impacts your quality of life. For example, if you need to take time off school or work, or you plan your life around your periods.

It’s helpful to record information about your periods and take it with you to discuss at your appointment. You can record: