From cramps to clarity … let’s help you make sense of it all
This article is sponsored by Circle Health Group
This article/page uses the terms ‘male/man/men’ and/or ‘female/woman/women’. Please note, this is in reference to the sex assigned at birth. We know and understand that trans and non-binary people will equally need support and their sex assigned at birth may not match their gender identity. Please assume positive intent wherever gendered language has been used in this article.
Understanding period and pelvic pain can be confusing and even a bit scary at times, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone and there are ways to manage the discomfort.
Whether you’re dealing with cramps that seem to come out of nowhere or pain that feels a bit different than usual, we’re here to help you make sense of it all and know when to seek help.
We’ve teamed up with experts from Circle Health Group, Dr Chris Harwick, consultant gynaecologist at Ross Hall Hospital – part of Circle Health Group, and Miss Gaity Ahmad, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at The Highfield Hospital – part of Circle Health Group, to answer your common questions and help you feel more at ease.
What causes painful periods?
Period pain is common, but it can sometimes be really painful and tough to deal with. If the pain is getting in the way of your daily activities, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can help figure out if it’s just regular cramps or something more serious.
Some things that can cause painful periods include:
- Endometriosis – when tissue similar to the lining inside the womb starts growing outside the womb, on the ovaries, or in other areas of the pelvis, and causes pain
- Uterine fibroids – these are lumps that can grow in the womb and cause cramp-like pain
- Adenomyosis – this happens when the tissue that normally lines the womb grows into the muscle of the womb, which can cause painful and heavy periods
- Pelvic infections – sometimes, infections in the reproductive organs can also cause painful periods
Where is period pain usually located & what are the symptoms?
Period pain usually happens in the lower part of your tummy and is very common during your period. You might feel cramps or even sharp pain in the middle, right, or left side of your pelvis. The pain can also spread to your lower back and sometimes, down your legs. The symptoms can feel different from person to person.
Are there different types of painful periods? If so, what are they?
You might sometimes hear the medical term for periods being used – dysmenorrhea. There are two main types of painful periods – primary and secondary.
Primary period pain isn’t caused by any specific health problem. This type of pain usually starts when your period begins, but it might start just before.
Secondary period pain is a type of period pain caused by a health condition and usually starts after you have had no pain during periods. Sometimes, women who’ve had normal periods for years start to have more painful periods due to this condition.
How is period pain diagnosed?
You might not need any special tests if regular pain relief helps your period pain. But it’s important to see your doctor if:
- Your period pain is very bad and stops you from doing everyday things
- You suddenly notice that your period pain is worse or different from usual
- The pain comes with other worrying symptoms, like heavy bleeding between periods or pain during sex
- Over-the-counter pain relief isn’t working
To help figure out what’s causing your period pain, your doctor might ask about your health history, do a physical exam and possibly suggest some tests. These could include an ultrasound scan or a laparoscopy, which is a small surgery to look inside your tummy and check your womb and ovaries.
How can I reduce period pain at home?
Here are a few things that might help you manage your period pain at home:
- Over-the-counter medicine – pain relief like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help with the pain. Just be sure to follow the instructions, and if you’re unsure, you can speak to a pharmacist for more advice
- Heat – using a hot water bottle, heat pad, or even a warm towel on your lower tummy or back can relax the muscles and provide comfort. A warm bath can also help your whole body relax
- Gentle exercises – doing some light yoga or stretching can improve blood flow and help you feel better
We know that period pain can be tough to deal with so we’ve put together a guide to help take the discomfort out of your period.
Why do I get period pain in my back and legs?
Period pain can sometimes cause backaches or even make your legs hurt. This is because of the way the nerves that feel pain from your womb are connected. In some cases, pain in the back or legs might be a sign of endometriosis.
What are the treatments for period pain?
Treatments for period pain depend on what’s causing it. Your doctor might suggest starting with pain relief, like paracetamol or ibuprofen. If these don’t help, they might look into other options like hormonal contraceptives.
In some cases, if needed, they might refer you to a specialist for more tests. You can book an appointment to see a specialist at Circle Health Group*, with over 300 consultant gynaecologists across their 50+ hospitals, including Dr Chris Hardwick and Miss Gaity Ahmed.
If your period pain is cramping your style, you can also consider accessing the Boots Online Doctor Period Pain Relief service** for advice and, if appropriate, treatment.
Can painful periods be prevented?
While you can’t always prevent painful periods, they can usually be managed with pain relief. Women who use hormonal contraceptives can often have less period pain. If you’re struggling with your period pain, you might want to discuss this with your GP or a consultant gynaecologist if you’re able to.
Should I be worried about period pain?
If your period pain is mild to moderate and goes away with pain relief, it’s usually not something to worry about. But if the pain is severe and stops you from doing what you need to do, it’s important to see your GP. Sometimes, severe pain can be a sign of something more serious.
Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain can be a bit confusing because it can come from many different places in your body. Whether it's a mild discomfort or something more intense, it’s important to understand what might be causing it and how you can manage it. Remember, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to ask for help and talk to your GP or a consultant gynaecologist if you’re able to.
What is pelvic pain & where is it located?
Pelvic pain is discomfort that you feel in the lower part of your tummy, below your tummy button. Because there are lots of different organs in this area, pelvic pain can come from many different places.
What causes lower pelvic pain in women?
Lower pelvic pain in women can have several causes, depending on what’s going on inside your body. Here are some possibilities:
- If the pain happens when your bladder is filling up or when you’re going to the bathroom, it might be related to your bladder, like a urinary tract infection (UTI)
- If the pain is connected to your period or happens during or after sex, it could be related to your reproductive organs, like your womb, cervix, or ovaries
- If the pain is linked to going to the bathroom, like with diarrhoea or constipation, it might be related to your bowel
Talking to your GP or a consultant gynaecologist if you’re able to, is the best way to find out what’s causing your pain and to get the right treatment.
Why do I have pelvic pain when I'm not on my period?
If you’re feeling pelvic pain when you’re not on your period, it could still be related to your womb or ovaries. Conditions like ovarian cysts or endometriosis are common reasons for this kind of pain.
If the pain is mild and goes away with pain relief, it is unlikely to be serious but, if the pain doesn’t go away, keeps coming back, or gets worse, or you have concerns about your symptoms it’s important to see your GP or a consultant gynaecologist if you’re able to. They can check things out, maybe with an ultrasound, and help you figure out what’s going on.
Does pelvic pain make you need to pee more often?
Sometimes pelvic pain can make you feel like you need to wee more often, especially if it’s related to your bladder. Conditions like a UTI (urinary tract infection) or endometriosis can cause this.
How is pelvic pain diagnosed?
If you’re dealing with ongoing or really bothersome pelvic pain, your GP might refer you to a specialist. Diagnosing the cause of pelvic pain can involve working with different types of doctors and doing some tests.
These tests could include an ultrasound, MRI, or laparoscopy. They might also do tests to look at your bladder or bowel to figure out what’s causing the pain.
How is pelvic pain treated?
Treatment for pelvic pain depends on what’s causing it. Whether the pain comes from your bowel, bladder or reproductive organs, the treatment plan will be tailored to you and how severe your symptoms are.
Treatment might include medications, surgery or changes to your lifestyle to help manage the pain and improve your quality of life. But if your pain is mild and goes away with simple pain relief, you might not need any further treatment.
Can pelvic pain be prevented?
Pelvic pain can’t always be prevented, but living a healthy lifestyle, practicing good hygiene and getting medical help when needed can lower the risk of developing pelvic pain and help keep your pelvic area healthy.
When should I worry about pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain can sometimes be more concerning, especially if it comes with other symptoms. For example, ovarian cysts are often common and harmless in younger women and might go away on their own, but in older women, they can be more worrying.
If you notice pelvic pain along with symptoms like bloating, feeling really tired, problems around conceiving or changes in your bowel habits, it’s important to see your GP or consultant gynaecologist. They might do tests like an ultrasound to check for problems.
Sometimes pelvic pain can come on suddenly and be very severe. This could be a sign of a serious issue, like a twisted or ruptured ovarian cyst. If you feel sudden and intense pain, it’s important to see a GP right away. They might need to do a scan or even have you checked out at the hospital.
In some women, severe pain might sometimes mean there’s an infection in the womb, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. This can also cause unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge. If you notice these symptoms, see your GP as soon as possible, as they might need to do tests or start treatment with antibiotics.
It’s okay to have questions about your health, and it’s always a good idea to listen to your body. If you’re ever worried about your period or pelvic pain, don’t hesitate to speak to your GP or a consultant gynaecologist. They can help you figure out what’s going on and what you can do to feel better.
Remember, taking care of yourself is the most important thing, and there are many ways to manage period and pelvic pain to keep it from interfering with your life.
