5 Reasons for Painful Periods and Menstrual Cramps 

Do you experience pain during your period? You’re not alone: this problem affects around 80% of people who menstruate. Mild to moderate pain during this part of your cycle is normal. But for some people, severe period cramps are a monthly occurrence. 

If you’ve noticed your period cramps are getting out of hand, there may be a reason behind it. Here are five possible causes for severe menstrual cramps and what you can do about them. 

5 Potential Causes for Your Painful Cramps 

Painful periods can be worrisome, especially if you don’t know what’s causing them. Fortunately, knowing the cause of your severe menstrual pain may help provide some comfort. Learning why you have painful cramps may also help you learn how to cope with them and reduce your pain in the future. 

Bear in mind that this list is not complete and only provides a few common reasons for painful periods. And even if you think the source of your period cramps is benign, it is in your best interest to see a professional. 

Let’s take a closer look at five common reasons for abnormally painful menstrual cramps. 

1. Genetics 

One common reason for painful period cramps is your genetic makeup. If several people in your family struggle with painful periods, you have a higher risk of experiencing severe cramping as well. 

Unfortunately, you cannot change your genetics. But there are a few ways you can reduce the pain that comes with your menstrual cycle, which we’ll cover in a later section. 

2. Starting Puberty Early 

People who begin menstruating at a young age have a higher risk of painful period cramps. So if you got your first period when you were 11 years old or younger, that could be the cause behind your painful menstrual cramps. 

3. Your Age 

The first few years of menstruation are usually the most difficult. If you’re a teenager or child who started your period in the last few years, painful cramps are a rather common experience. This is especially true if your cycle is irregular. 

Thankfully, this issue is usually temporary. As you grow older and your body adjusts to its menstrual cycle, your cramps will likely become milder. 

4. Smoking 

Smoking can come with a lot of negative effects on your health, and your uterus is no exception. Heavy smokers face a higher risk of painful cramps during their menstrual cycles. 

People who smoke often face a 50% increase of cramps during their menstrual cycle as well as more severe PMS symptoms. So if you’d like to reduce your painful period cramps, consider quitting smoking. 

5. Medical Conditions 

Abnormally painful periods can often be a sign of an underlying condition. A few potential causes for severe cramping include: 

• Endometriosis 
• Fibroids in your uterus 
• Cervical stenosis 
• Pelvic inflammatory disease 
• Adenomyosis 
• Polycystic ovary syndrome 

Many of these conditions are chronic, and can sometimes come with other symptoms. And if you don’t seek treatment, they can get more severe over time. 

When to See a Doctor 

The severity of your period can be different by the month. Even in healthy individuals, menstrual cramps can get pretty overwhelming every now and then. Knowing what’s normal and what isn’t can be challenging, leaving a lot of people wondering–when do your period cramps warrant a visit to the doctor? 

The important point to consider is to take note of when the symptoms occur and for how long. Relay that information to your gynecologist for further evaluation. If the patient has visited a gynecologist without success, the symptoms continue to lower the quality of life, then it is best to visit a vascular specialist for an evaluation. 

Unbearable Period Pain 

While mild to moderate pain during your period is normal, unbearable pain is not. If you find that your period cramps interfere with your quality of life, or you often need to stay home from work or school because of your period, there is likely an underlying problem that needs treatment. 

Prolonged Period Pain 

The first few days are when period cramps tend to be more intense. So if you are experiencing severe cramps after the third day of your period, this could be a sign of an undiagnosed medical condition. 

Severe Menstrual Pain After 25 

In people under 25, painful period cramps are fairly normal. Fortunately, most people can expect milder periods once they hit their mid-20s. 

But if you are still experiencing severe period cramps after 25, or if your cramps become more severe during adulthood, that could be a sign of a medical issue. 

Vascular Conditions 

If you experience severe period cramps or irregular periods, you may have a heightened risk of vascular conditions later in your life. While the research is not yet conclusive, many studies have suggested a connection between abnormal periods and vascular disease. 

Examples of vascular conditions include: 

• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
• Stroke 
• Aneurysms 
• High blood pressure 
• Congestive heart failure 

If you’re at risk for vascular disease and experience severe period cramps, make sure you know the warning signs of these conditions. In addition, seek advice from your doctor regarding how you can lower your risk of vascular disease. 

How to Reduce Menstrual Pain 

If you’re dealing with severe menstrual cramps, there may not be much you can do about its underlying cause. However, there are a few ways you can alleviate your menstrual pain. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re going through some painful menstrual cramps. For some people, just one of these methods will be enough to provide some pain relief. For others, you may need to try out several options before you see any results. 

Apply Heat 

A microwave heating pad, hot water bottle, or electric heating pad can be a lifesaver when you’re on your period. Applying heat to your lower stomach or lower back can relax the muscles in your uterus, providing instant relief. 

Take a Warm Bath or Shower 

Staying clean is important any time of the month, but this is especially true when you’re on your period. In addition, the warm water of your bath or shower can help relax your body and muscles, which can in turn reduce the pain from your menstrual cramps. 

Get Some Rest 

People with painful periods often experience fatigue. If this is the case for you, the best thing you can do is lie down and get some sleep. Your health matters, so don’t be ashamed if your cramps sometimes get severe enough that you need to take a day off work or school. 

Take Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers 

When you’re facing severe period cramps, it’s best to take some pain relievers right away to give them plenty of time to kick in. While there are several different kinds of pain relievers on the market, ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are the most common choices for relieving menstrual pain. 

Stay Hydrated 

Staying hydrated is one of the most important ways to stay healthy, so it should come as no surprise that it can help with menstrual cramps as well. If you’re not fond of tap water, consider adding some mint or lemon for a dash of flavor. 

Drinking plenty of fluids is even more important if you experience nausea when you’re on your period. To prevent dehydration after vomiting, opt for drinks containing electrolytes. 

Drink Some Herbal Tea 

Drinking herbal teas, such as chamomile or mint, can help soothe period cramps. The warmth from the tea can provide some immediate relief, and the herbs in the tea can potentially reduce cramping as well. It’s also another great way to keep yourself hydrated. 

Get Some Light Exercise 

While exercising is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re on your period, it can potentially help reduce severe cramps. Light exercise such as yoga, swimming, or brief walks can release endorphins that help reduce the pain in your uterus. 

That said, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard. Avoid heavy exercise during your period, and if you find that even light exercise is worsening your pain, it may be better to get some rest instead. 

Eat Healthy Foods 

While it can be tempting to fill up on junk food during your period, this can actually make your cramps worse. Avoid foods high in sodium or sugar, and try not to drink anything with caffeine. Instead, opt for foods high in fiber, iron, and magnesium. 

The Bottom Line - Painful Menstrual Cramps & Their Causes 

When it comes to severe menstrual cramps, there can be several different causes. Some are unavoidable, such as your age or genetics, while others you can potentially change, such as smoking. 

In some cases, painful periods and menstrual cramps can be a sign of a serious underlying condition. Severe menstrual cramps can also signify a higher risk of vascular conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease. 

That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if your menstrual cramps are severe. When you address these underlying conditions and health risks early on, you can treat them before they get too serious. 

And while menstrual cramps can be unbearable at times, there are several easy ways to alleviate your pain. Heating pads, slight diet changes, and even light exercise are just a few different ways you can find relief.

What to expect from CVM?

At the Center for Vascular Medicine, our mission is to help patients with their vascular diseases in a cost-effective and compassionate manner. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of venous and arterial diseases in the legs, feet, and pelvis. Our world-class providers are the most experienced in the specialty and work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is custom-tailored to their unique situation. Please schedule a consultation here.

Typically, this process involves an initial consultation with a possible ultrasound scan at one of our facilities. After reviewing the results of your scan and obtaining a thorough medical history, our providers will discuss the results with you and help you decide on the next steps.

Our health care providers use several diagnostic tests to help determine what vascular diseases may be causing your symptoms. Our initial evaluations utilize ultrasound because this non-invasive imaging modality helps us verify our suspicions on whether your symptoms are caused by underlying vascular disease.

However, ultrasound alone cannot confirm a diagnosis. The gold standard of diagnosis in our field includes venogram procedure, angiogram, and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). These imaging modalities are minimally-invasive so we always opt to begin with ultrasound before recommending further evaluation. If a procedure is recommended, our provider team will go through all of your options in detail and provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. Please schedule a consultation here.