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It's common to have pain or discomfort before or during your period. There are things you can do to help ease the pain.
Period pain usually happens to women around the start of their period. It can affect anyone who has periods.
You may have period pain if:
Period pain usually lasts for up to 3 days and can affect your daily activities.
There are some things you can do to help ease period pain.
have a warm bath or shower
use a heat pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel on your tummy
try massaging your tummy and back
try some gentle exercise like yoga, swimming, walking or cycling
use painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
Cutting down on alcohol and not smoking may also help ease period pain.
Period pain happens when your womb tightens during your period. It's often a normal part of the menstrual cycle.
Sometimes painful periods can be caused by a condition such as:
An intrauterine device (IUD) can also cause period pain, particularly during the first 3 to 6 months after it's put in.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
If you have severe period pain, a GP may recommend:
The GP may refer you to a specialist (gynaecologist) if your period pain does not get better.
You might need tests, such as an ultrasound scan, to find out what's causing your period pain. If a condition is found, treating it will help.
For example, if you have fibroids, you may be given medicine to shrink them or have surgery to remove them. If you have pelvic inflammatory disease, you'll usually need antibiotics.
