Chat with AHA!

Chat with AHA!

Hi! Ask Healthshots Anything

Get AI-powered answers
to all your health
related
queries!

Chat with AHA!
Feminine Hygiene Menstruation Sexual Health Chat Now

We got a gynaecologist to share the 4 times your period pain is NOT normal

Period pain is normal but if it is stopping you from living life, you need to consult a gynaecologist. Here’s why
period pain
Period pain is common but not always normal. Image courtesy: Olena Panasovska from the Noun Project (via Creative Commons)
Shreya Gupta Published: 22 Oct 2020, 17:35 pm IST
  • 80

Most women experience pain during their periods and have to brave it. We end up using home remedies such as hot water bottles and ginger tea which soothe the pain and make us feel better. However, there are definitely cases where the pain accompanying periods is too severe and not normal.

Yes, there’s no doubt that cramps and pain are a part of periods but the sort of pain that makes it difficult to get out of bed needs to be looked into. It might be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

To understand this further, we reached out to Dr Uma Vaidyanathan, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, New Delhi. According to her, if menstrual pain is causing these 4 things, you need to reach out for medical help:

1. It is interfering with your life

Dr Vaidyanathan says, “Does the menstrual pain cause you to skip office or affect your daily routine? If the answer to this question is yes then you need to see a doctor.” So, if you are experiencing pain that interferes with your life, it is definitely something you need to seek help for.

abnormal period pain
If your period cramps are killing you, then it is not normal. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
2. You get no relief from pain medications

Taking over-the-counter medicines is common for period cramps. They can easily help you get through the day. But, if these medicines have no effect on your cramps, causing you to take a heavy dose, then that is a cause of concern. “If the medication is not working, you must visit the doctor,” says Dr Vaidyanathan.

Also read: Do your periods hurt like hell? These 5 underlying health conditions could be the reason why

3. You experience pelvic discomfort

Pain around the pelvic region during your period is common. But, experiencing discomfort at other times during your cycle is not normal. Dr Vaidyanathan says, “Continuous abdominal pain or pain while having sexual intercourse is not normal. So, seek medical help as soon as you notice such a thing.”

4. Your cramps feel different

Any change in the pattern of pain which has caused an increase in the discomfort during periods is definitely something you need to look out for.

AHA - Ask Healthshots Anything
AHA - Ask Healthshots Anything An AI-powered chatbot to answer all your health-related queries Chat Now

Also, watch:

“The extreme pain can also be because of endometriosis which a condition in which the cells in the uterine lining are found elsewhere in the body. Such a situation need to be diagnosed at the earliest,” says Dr Vaidyanathan.

There’s not a doubt that menstrual pain isn’t what we look forward to but if it is interfering with your life, it is time to look at medical consultation.

  • 80
About the Author

Finding nirvana in good food, Shreya also loves reading books and is a die-hard Potterhead. Confident and motivated she's fun to be with. Plus food. Always. ...Read More

Next Story