Period Pain, What's Normal and When to Worry

Short answer: Cramping in the lower belly or back that starts just before or at the start of your period and eases within two or three days is common and usually normal. See a clinician if the pain stops you from going about your day, your bleeding is very heavy, you have pain between periods or with fever, or you might be pregnant.

For many women, the first day of a period means a slow morning and a hot water bottle. That's common, but severe pain is not something you have to put up with.

What normal period pain feels like

• Cramping or aching low in the belly, sometimes spreading to the back or thighs
• Starts shortly before or when bleeding begins
• Usually strongest on the first one or two days
• Eases with rest, warmth or simple pain relief

Safe ways to ease it

• Warmth: a hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth, or a warm bath.
• Gentle movement: a short walk or stretching often helps.
• Rest and fluids, and regular meals.
• Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, used as directed on the packet or by a pharmacist. Ask first if you have stomach ulcers, asthma or kidney problems.
• Track your periods, noting pain and heavy days, to show a clinician the pattern.

When to see a clinician

• Pain that stops you from going to school, work or the shamba, or isn't helped by pain relief
• Very heavy bleeding: soaking a pad every hour or two, passing large clots, or periods lasting more than seven days
• Pain between periods or during sex
• Pain with fever, chills or unusual or smelly discharge
• Period pain that is getting worse over time, or started after years of easy periods
• Feeling dizzy, very tired or breathless, which can be a sign of anaemia

Go immediately if

• You have sudden, severe pain in the lower belly, especially on one side
• You might be pregnant and have pain or bleeding
• You faint or feel faint

In an emergency, call 999 or 112. Primegala is open 24 hours at Maili Sita; book a general outpatient visit to talk about period pain in private.