Managing period pain
7-minute read
Key facts
- Period pain is common and can feel different from person to person.
- Heat packs, exercise and relaxation may help you manage period pain.
- Pain-relief medicines, hormonal treatments and other pain-relief measures can help.
- See your doctor if period pain is stopping you doing your usual activities.
- In some people, period pain is caused by an underlying health condition.
What is period pain?
, also called dysmenorrhoea, is common.
People experience period pain differently. It can range from mild to severe and may stop you from doing your normal activities.
Period pain is considered normal if it:
- happens on the first 2 days of your period
- doesn’t affect your daily life
- goes away with pain-relief medicines or a heat pack
There are 2 types of period pain:
- primary dysmenorrhoea
- secondary dysmenorrhoea
Primary dysmenorrhoea
Primary dysmenorrhoea often happens in the first year after you get your period. It’s more common in teenagers and people under 30 years.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea
Secondary dysmenorrhoea often happens years after the start of your periods.
What symptoms are related to period pain?
Period pain is felt in your lower abdomen (tummy). It happens just before and during (your period). You might have cramping, aching or heaviness.
You might also get pain in your lower back and legs.
Other possible symptoms are:
- greater sensitivity to pain
Is period pain different after having a baby?
Your periods can return as soon as 4 to 6 weeks after having a baby. If you are breastfeeding, it can take longer for your periods to return. There is no way to know if your periods will return the same way they were before you were pregnant.
Both paracetamol and anti-inflammatory pain medicines, like ibuprofen can be safely taken while breastfeeding.
It’s always best to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medicine. You can also call the national consumer medicines information line on 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) for advice.
What causes period pain?
Primary dysmenorrhoea
This type of period pain is caused by chemicals called prostaglandins. These cause the muscles of your uterus (womb) to tighten.
Primary dysmenorrhoea is the most common type of period pain. It usually happens within a few years of your first period.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea
This type of period pain is caused by an underlying health condition, such as:
- and in your uterus
It can also be caused by an .
When should I see a doctor?
See your doctor if your period pain stops you from doing your normal daily activities. For example, if you need to have time off school or work.
It can help to keep a record of your periods to share with your doctor. You may want to record:
- when you get your period
- how long it lasts
- how heavy it is
- what symptoms you have
How is period pain diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms. They may want to examine you. In some cases, they may organise for you to have further tests, such as:
- an scan
- an or
- a — a procedure that uses a small camera to look inside your uterus
How is period pain treated?
There are a few treatments you can try to help with period pain.
If you have secondary dysmenorrhoea, it’s best to treat the underlying cause.
Self-care at home
Some people find their period pain is relieved by:
- using a heat pack
- gentle exercise
- (a pain-relief method that uses a small, portable machine)
- or to reduce stress
- such as
There is evidence to show that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your period pain. These foods include:
- chia seeds
- walnuts
- flaxseeds
- salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel
- oysters
- edamame beans
There is also some evidence that foods rich in can help with period pain. Foods rich in vitamin E are:
- sunflower seeds
- nuts
- spinach
- broccoli
- kiwifruit
- mango
- tomato
Ginger can help with period pain and reduces nausea.
Pain-relief medicines for period pain
(NSAIDs) such as , and stop your body from making prostaglandins.
They work best if you start taking them 1 to 2 days before you expect to get your period. You should keep taking these medicines regularly for the first 2 to 3 days of bleeding. You can buy them in a pharmacy.
Remember to take NSAIDs with food. These medicines may not be suitable for everyone. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to check that they are safe for you.
can also help for mild cramps.
Hormone treatments for period pain
Your doctor might prescribe hormonal contraception for your period pain. Examples are the:
- (IUD)
You can use pain-relief medicines as well as hormonal treatment.
Resources and support
Visit for more information about period pain. Jean Hailes also has in languages other than English.
has information on .
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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This information was originally published on healthdirect -
Last reviewed: July 2024