Period Pain

Primary or secondary period pain?

Most period pain is primary dysmenorrhoea: cramps from natural chemicals called prostaglandins tightening the muscle of your uterus. It often starts in the first year after periods begin, comes just before or during bleeding, and lasts about 8 to 72 hours. Secondary dysmenorrhoea comes from an underlying condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease, and often begins years later. Endometriosis affects around 1 in 9 females in Australia and diagnosis can take years, so see your GP if pain is new, getting worse or lasting longer than before, stops you going to work or school, or comes with pain during sex, pain or bleeding between periods, or pain when you pass urine or poo. For pain that doesn't follow your cycle, see stomach pain.

Timing matters with anti-inflammatories

Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen reduce prostaglandin production. They work best started 1 to 2 days before your period is due and taken regularly for the first 2 to 3 days of bleeding. If you could be pregnant or are trying to conceive, ask a pharmacist or doctor first. If they upset your stomach, take them with food, and ask a pharmacist whether they suit you. Tracking when your period arrives, how long and heavy it is and how it affects you helps with timing and gives your GP a clearer picture.

Sources: healthdirect — Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea); healthdirect — Managing period pain; healthdirect — Endometriosis