Symptom Guide · Period Pain
Is this much period pain normal?
Mild cramps on the first day or two of a period are common. Pain that makes you miss school, work, or sleep is not something you have to accept — it has causes, and the causes have treatments.
What causes period cramps?
During a period, the uterus contracts to shed its lining, driven by chemicals called prostaglandins. Higher prostaglandin levels mean stronger cramps. This 'primary' period pain typically starts within a couple of years of the first period, peaks on day one or two, and eases with simple measures. Pain that behaves differently deserves a closer look.
When is period pain a sign of something more?
Be alert if pain has become worse over the years, starts several days before the period, lasts beyond it, occurs during intercourse or toilet visits, or no longer responds to painkillers that used to work. These patterns can point to endometriosis or adenomyosis — conditions where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows where it shouldn't.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women. Tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it — on the ovaries, tubes, or pelvic wall — causing inflammation, severe period pain, pain during intercourse, and sometimes difficulty conceiving. Diagnosis in India is often delayed by years because the pain is dismissed as 'normal'. It is not.
How is period pain evaluated and treated?
A consultation and pelvic ultrasound are the starting point. For primary cramps, the right painkillers taken correctly, heat, and sometimes hormonal cycle regulation work very well. For endometriosis or adenomyosis, options range from hormonal treatment to laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, depending on severity and whether you are planning pregnancy.
My teenage daughter has severe cramps. Should she see a gynaecologist?
Yes — severe pain that keeps a girl home from school every month deserves an assessment, and the first visit is usually just a conversation. No internal examination is done unless medically necessary. Treating pain early also teaches young women that their pain is taken seriously.
See a doctor promptly if you have
- Pain that makes you miss work, school, or sleep every cycle
- Pain getting progressively worse year on year
- Pain during intercourse or while passing urine or stool
- Pelvic pain outside your period days
- Severe pain with fever or unusual discharge
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Only a consultation and examination can tell you what is causing your symptoms.
Worried about this symptom?
Consult Dr. Madhumita Das Mazumdar — MD (OBG), 30+ years of experience — at the clinic in Beltola, Guwahati, or on WhatsApp from anywhere in Assam.