Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea): when it is normal and when it is not
Pain before and during your period is normal and, according to the NHS, usually lasts up to 3 days – it comes from the womb contracting. It is not normal if the pain gets in the way of your daily life, becomes stronger or different from usual, or comes with pain during sex, when peeing or when pooing. In that case the cause may be endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease or an IUD, and it is worth getting checked.
- According to the NHS, period pain usually lasts up to 3 days and feels like cramps in the lower tummy, which can spread to the back and thighs.
- The cause of ordinary period pain is the womb contracting during your cycle – this is a normal part of menstruation.
- Sometimes the pain is a sign of a condition: endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease or an intrauterine device (especially in the first 3 to 6 months).
- Heat, gentle exercise, massage and painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are the self-help measures the NHS recommends.
- If the pain is severe or worse than usual and painkillers do not help, the NHS advises seeking urgent medical advice.
What does normal period pain feel like?
According to the NHS, it is completely usual to feel pain or discomfort just before or at the start of your period. Most often these are painful cramps in the lower tummy, which can spread to the back and thighs. The pain can be sharp and stabbing or dull and constant.
It usually lasts up to 3 days, and although it can get in the way of everyday things, for most women it is simply part of the cycle. The NHS notes that although the pain mainly affects women and girls, it can occur in anyone who has periods.
Why does it hurt during your period?
The cause of ordinary period pain, according to the NHS, is that the womb contracts during menstruation. This is a normal process and does not mean something is wrong.
Sometimes, however, the pain has a specific cause that is a separate condition. The NHS lists the following:
- Endometriosis and adenomyosis – tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places.
- Fibroids – growths in and around the womb.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease – an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
- Intrauterine device (IUD) – especially in the first 3 to 6 months after it is fitted.
What can I do myself to ease the pain?
The NHS lists several simple measures you can try at home:
- A warm bath or shower.
- A heat pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel on your tummy.
- Massaging your tummy and back.
- Gentle exercise – yoga, swimming, walking or cycling.
- Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
According to the NHS, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can also help.
When is period pain not normal?
The key question is not how strong the pain is in itself, but whether it is changing and whether it stops you living normally. The NHS recommends seeing a doctor if your periods become more painful, heavier or irregular, or if the pain stops you doing your usual activities.
Particularly important are the signs that are not just "tummy pain" – pain during sex, when peeing or when pooing, bleeding between periods, a bloated tummy, loss of appetite or losing weight without trying. According to the NHS, these should be checked.
When should you see a doctor?
According to the NHS, you should urgently see a doctor or call an urgent medical helpline if the pain in your pelvis or during your period is severe or worse than usual and painkillers have not helped.
Book a (non-urgent) appointment with a doctor if:
- your periods are becoming more painful, heavier or irregular;
- the pain stops you doing your usual daily activities;
- you have pain during sex, when peeing or when pooing;
- you bleed between periods;
- you notice a change in how often you pee or poo;
- your tummy is bloated;
- you have no appetite;
- you are losing weight without trying.
What can the doctor offer?
For severe pain, the NHS states that a doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medicines such as naproxen, flurbiprofen or mefenamic acid, a TENS machine (mild electrical impulses that reduce pain) or contraception – the pill, an implant or an injection, which thins the lining of the womb and so makes periods lighter and less painful.
If the pain does not improve or a condition such as fibroids is suspected, the doctor may refer you to a gynaecologist and tests may be done, for example an ultrasound scan. According to the NHS, treating the condition that is found usually helps – fibroids are treated with medicines or surgery, and pelvic inflammatory disease – with antibiotics.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is it normal for a period to hurt?
According to the NHS, period pain usually lasts up to 3 days. If it lasts longer or gets worse with every cycle, it is a good idea to discuss it with a doctor.
Can an IUD cause painful periods?
Yes. The NHS lists the intrauterine device as a possible cause of painful periods, especially in the first 3 to 6 months after it is fitted.
Which painkillers are suitable for period pain?
For self-help, the NHS mentions paracetamol and ibuprofen. For severe pain, a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories such as naproxen, flurbiprofen or mefenamic acid.
Sources
- NHS – Period pain – last reviewed by the NHS: 18 March 2026
Informational article retold in our own words from the sources listed. It does not replace a consultation with a doctor; in an emergency call 112. If you spot an inaccuracy, write to [email protected].