Do your Periods SUCK? Let’s find out why!
For many women, their period is accompanied by significant discomfort or pain, known as dysmenorrhea. While mild cramping is common, some experience severe pain that can disrupt daily activities. Understanding the possible causes of painful periods can help you find the right treatment and hopefully some relief.
Common Causes of Painful Periods
- Prostaglandins: During your period, the body releases prostaglandins—hormone-like substances that trigger the uterus to contract and shed the uterine lining. High levels of prostaglandins can lead to hot flushes, nausea, diarrhea and more intense cramping.
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus This can happen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or anywhere in the pelvis pelvic. This can cause severe, unrelenting pain during your period, along with other symptoms like heavy bleeding.
- Uterine Fibroids: Noncancerous growths in or on the uterus can make your periods way more painful and can lead to very heavy bleeding, and pelvic pressure.
- Adenomyosis: This condition occurs when the uterine lining grows into the muscle wall of the uterus, causing painful and heavy periods. It’s more common in women who are in their 30s and 40s.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive tract, often caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This can cause chronic pelvic pain, especially during menstruation due to scarring in the uterus or fallopian tubes.
Managing Period Pain
Treatment options for painful periods depend on the cause. For mild cases, over-the-counter pain relievers, heat therapy, and lifestyle changes may help. For more serious conditions like endometriosis or fibroids, medical treatments or surgery might be necessary.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If your period pain is severe, worsens over time, or suddenly changes in intensity, it’s important to see your doctor. While some discomfort is normal, extreme or persistent pain can indicate an underlying issue that may require treatment.
Author
Matthew Wollenschlaeger, MD, FACOG
Matthew Wollenschlaeger, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN who joined the Premier Obstetrics and Gynecology team in 2020. He is proud to provide high-quality care to the women throughout Maitland and Oviedo, Florida.
Originally from Ocala, Florida, Dr. Wollenschlaeger attended undergraduate school at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry. He returned to Florida to earn a Master of Science degree from the University of South Florida.
Dr. Wollenschlaeger completed his medical degree at The University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. He went on to complete his OB/GYN training at Orlando Health, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, where he was the Chief Quality Resident.
At Premier Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Wollenschlaeger enjoys being able to offer the full spectrum of women’s healthcare and is dedicated to treating women at all stages of life.
