Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Period Pain

What are painful periods?

Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that happens as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Many women have painful periods, also called dysmenorrhea. The pain is most often menstrual cramps, which are a throbbing, cramping pain in your lower abdomen. You may also have other symptoms, such as lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. Period pain is not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS causes many different symptoms, including weight gain, bloating, irritability, and fatigue. PMS often starts one to two weeks before your period starts.

What causes painful periods?

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Each type has different causes.

(Read more)

Results 1 - 10 of 58 for Dysmenorrhea
  1. Period Pain (National Library of Medicine)  
    ... cycle. Many women have painful periods, also called dysmenorrhea. The pain is most often menstrual cramps, which ... as lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. Period pain is not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/periodpain.html - Health Topics
  2. Painful menstrual periods 
    ... The medical term for painful menstrual periods is dysmenorrhea. ... into two groups, depending on the cause: Primary dysmenorrhea Secondary dysmenorrhea Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003150.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
  3. Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) (image) 
    Primary dysmenorrhea is a normal cramping of the lower abdomen caused by hormone-induced uterine contractions before the period. Secondary dysmenorrhea may be caused by abnormal conditions such as ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/17054.htm - Medical Encyclopedia
  4. Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)  
    Period Pain/Learn More ... Period Pain ... It's common to have some pain with your menstrual periods. In some cases, the pain is severe and comes with other symptoms.
    https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods - External Health Links
  5. Dysmenorrhea (American Academy of Family Physicians)  
    Period Pain/Learn More ... Period Pain ... American Academy of Family Physicians
    https://familydoctor.org/condition/dysmenorrhea/?adfree=true - External Health Links
  6. ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysmenorrhea From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)  
    Period Pain/Clinical Trials ... Period Pain
    https://clinicaltrials.gov/...ysmenorrhea"&aggFilters=status:not rec - External Health Links
  7. Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)  
    Period Pain/Learn More ... Period Pain
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/.../symptoms-causes/syc-20374938?p=1 - External Health Links
  8. Menstrual Period: Menstrual Cramps (Boston Children's Hospital)  
    Period Pain/Learn More ... Period Pain
    https://youngwomenshealth.org/guides/menstrual-cramps - External Health Links
  9. Nafarelin Nasal Spray 
    ... and causes infertility, pain before and during menstrual periods, pain during and after sexual activity, and heavy or ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601082.html - Drugs and Supplements
  10. Elagolix 
    ... and causes infertility, pain before and during menstrual periods, pain during and after sexual activity, and heavy or ...
    https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618044.html - Drugs and Supplements
previous · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · next