In short
Heat, regular exercise and pain relief from a pharmacy taken at the first sign of pain help most period pain. Period pain that stops you going to work or school, isn’t helped by pharmacy pain relief, or comes with pain at other times isn’t normal, and is worth checking for endometriosis or adenomyosis.
On this page
Is period pain normal?
Some period pain is very common. Cramping pain in the lower tummy, sometimes spreading to the back and thighs, usually starts just before or at the start of a period and lasts one to three days. This is called primary dysmenorrhoea, and it’s caused by chemicals called prostaglandins that make the uterus contract.
But pain that stops you living your life isn’t something you have to accept. Period pain can also be caused by conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis. This is called secondary dysmenorrhoea.
How to stop period pain at home
- Heat. A heat pack, wheat bag or warm bath on the lower tummy. A review of trials found heat reduced period pain, and in some studies it worked as well as common pain relief.
- Exercise. A Cochrane review found that regular exercise, such as three sessions a week, may reduce the intensity of period pain. Gentle movement during your period helps some people too.
- Pain relief from a pharmacy. Some over-the-counter pain relievers work best when taken at the very start of pain or bleeding, rather than once pain is severe. Your pharmacist can advise which suits you and how to take it safely.
- TENS. A small device that sends gentle electrical pulses through pads on the skin can ease cramps for some people.
- Rest, stretching and relaxation can help on bad days.
Pain that stops you living your life isn’t normal.
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
When period pain might be something more
- Pain that makes you miss work, school or social plans
- Pain not helped by pain relief from a pharmacy
- Pain that has got worse over the years
- Pain at other times of the month
- Pain with sex, bowel movements or passing urine
- Very heavy bleeding
- Difficulty getting pregnant
These can be signs of endometriosis or adenomyosis.
Treatment from a GP
If home measures aren’t enough, a GP can talk through prescription options, including hormonal treatments that make periods lighter and less painful. A GP can also arrange a pelvic ultrasound and referral if a cause like endometriosis is suspected.
When to get urgent help
Get urgent care for sudden severe pelvic pain, pain with fever, fainting or heavy bleeding, or pain when you might be pregnant, which can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- Iacovides S, Avidon I, Baker FC. What we know about primary dysmenorrhea today: a critical review. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(6):762-78.
- Jo J, Lee SH. Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16252.
- Armour M, Ee CC, Naidoo D, et al. Exercise for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;9(9):CD004142.
- Zondervan KT, Becker CM, Missmer SA. Endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(13):1244-1256.
- healthdirect. Endometriosis.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.