You are not alone in your period pain
Your period pain should not stop you from enjoying your daily activities or from attending school or work.
Period Pain is Real Pain
Period Pain is Real Pain
Some discomfort during your period is normal, and some people experience more period pain than others.
So when is your period pain not normal?
Your period pain is not normal if it is interfering with your ability to enjoy daily activities, participate in school, work and sports. If this is the case, your period pain is considered severe.
If your period pain is causing you to suffer, you are not alone.
The medical term for period pain is dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea may be associated with some or all of these symptoms:
- Cramping or pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic area)
- Lower back pain
- Pain spreading down your legs
- Nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue (being more tired than usual)
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Headaches
- Impacts on mood and decreased quality of life
You don’t have to have all of these symptoms to seek medical care.
This website was created by and shares information from trusted medical experts about period pain. We’re here to validate that period pain is real and to help you find resources.
Period Pain Quiz
Take this quiz to find out if you should talk to a trusted healthcare provider (like a doctor or nurse practitioner) about your period pain, what you can do right now to help relieve period pain, and the next steps if your period pain is not normal.
Period Pain Relief Suggestions
The information offered on the website is intended to educate users on healthcare and medical issues related to period pain. Any information presented should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always talk to your healthcare provider for specific questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Start taking anti-inflammatory medication a day or two before your period is expected to arrive for maximum effectiveness. This medication should always be taken with food.
- Period control medications like birth control. Talk to your healthcare provider about hormonal birth control options and what the best option would be for you. In some provinces, such as British Columbia, pharmacists can also prescribe birth control. Birth control is free in many provinces, like British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island.
- Exercise
- 3 times a week or more, with 45-60 minutes of activity per session, can show an improvement in pelvic pain over time.
- Yoga, walking, and stretching are also helpful.
- Pelvic exercise and physiotherapy with the guidance of a physiotherapist.
- Mindfulness, meditation, relaxation, and breathing exercises (with long, slow 'out' breaths).
- Massage with an appropriately trained provider, such as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).
- Distract yourself by listening to music, reading, watching movies, or engaging in hobbies or activities you enjoy.
- Reduce stress.
- Sleep and rest are very important.
- Eat healthy and nourishing foods and avoid any food that your body doesn’t tolerate so well during your period. Some dietary triggers may be dairy, gluten, or high FODMAP foods, etc.
- Heat the area that is in pain. Soak in a warm bath or use a hot water bottle, a heating pad, or patches.
- Use high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to treat period pain.
- Acupoint Stimulation (acupressure and acupuncture)
- Ginger supplements taken during your period may help improve pain, but high-quality scientific research to support other dietary supplements is limited.
Resources
All About Periods
Read about what causes your period from The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
Learn morePainful Periods
Learn more about painful periods and ways to help with the pain from The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
Learn moreEndometriosis
Endometriosis is a medical condition that affects more than 1 million and can cause painful periods.
Learn moreAbout Us
The Period Pain is Real Pain website was developed collaboratively by youth with lived experience of period pain, medical professionals (gynecologists with expertise in endometriosis, pelvic pain, and pediatric gynecology), staff at the Women's Health Research Institute, and researchers at the University of British Columbia.
This initiative was funded by the BC Women’s Health Foundation and the UBC Public Scholars Initiative. The website is maintained by the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory.
Zeba Khan
PhD Student, Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, University of British Columbia
Dr. Catherine Allaire
Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia
Dr. Kristina Arion, MD, FRCSC
Pediatric Adolescent Gynecologist, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Dr. Paul Yong
Canada Research Chair in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain at the University of British Columbia
Kirstie Merkt-Caprile
Patient Research Advisory Board, Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, University of British Columbia
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