Period cramps are something most of us have just learned to live with. Whether it’s your best friend, your mum, or even someone like Deepika Padukone (yep, she’s spoken about it to us here), cramps show up, we sigh, maybe pop a pill, and power through.
We’re often told it’s “normal” to have a bit of pain, to wince, to curl up with a hot water bottle. To keep a strip of painkillers always in our bag (you know, just in case). And honestly, for many of us, this has become the default.
But, and this is important, not all period pain is normal. Some cramps are just your uterus doing its monthly thing, but others? Others might be your body trying to tell you something’s not quite right.
So, let’s figure out when it’s okay to let the cramps pass and when it’s time to listen a little closer.
First things first: What is normal?
Mild to moderate pain in your lower belly or back, especially in the first couple of days? Totally normal. This is usually your uterus contracting to shed its lining, basically, your body doing exactly what it’s meant to. Some people also experience:
- Dull aches in the thighs or lower back
- Headaches or fatigue
- Breast tenderness,or mood swings
- Mild digestive issues (hello, period poops)
We know, it sounds like a lot. But for many, these symptoms are part of their regular cycle and tend to settle with rest, heat, or an over-the-counter painkiller.
So if your cramps are manageable and follow a predictable pattern every month, chances are your body’s just following its usual rhythm. But then when should you worry?
When Period Cramps Should Be Considered a Red Flag
When the Pain Hits Pause on Your Life
You can’t go to work, you cancel plans, you’re lying in bed for hours, clutching your stomach. That’s not just period pain, that’s something worth looking into. Pain that completely disrupts your life every month could be because of:
- Endometriosis (when uterine lining grows outside the uterus)
- Adenomyosis (when the lining grows into the uterus wall)
- Fibroids (non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus)
That said, it’s also worth thinking about other triggers. For example, could your cramps feel worse because you’re stressed? Or you worked out a lil extra in the gym?
If it’s nothing else but your period pain stealing days from your life every cycle, please, don’t just push through it. Reach out to a doctor and get the support you need.
When Nothing Seems to Help
You took a painkiller as soon as the cramps started, you reached for your trusted hot water bottle, you even used a Nua’s Cramp Comfort Heat Patch (because you know it usually works like magic). But nothing seems to help.
That’s your cue to pause and think, because most period cramps usually ease up with at least one of these things. Sometimes, though, things like bloating from a heavy meal, dehydration, or even lack of sleep can make your body more sensitive to pain than usual.
However if your pain isn’t budging despite your best efforts, it might be time to dig a little deeper. This means see your doctor as soon as you can.
When Cramps Last Way Longer Than They Should
Research shows that period pain affects around 95% of women worldwide. And while it’s common, the typical cramp duration is around 8 to 72 hours. So if yours stretches for the entire week, or even spills into days before or after your period, it’s worth looking into them.
Mostly, in such cases, the pain is usually due to ovulation or muscle strain (especially if you’ve been sitting too long or had an intense workout), and that’s nothing to panic about.
But if it lingers every month, then it could be your body hinting at something deeper, like endometriosis. So, better to check that out.
When The Pain Spreads Beyond Your Pelvis
Ache in your lower back or inner thighs while you’re cramping? Research says it’s totally normal, annoying, but normal.
But if that pain starts travelling down your legs, or up your hips, and feels deep or keeps showing up cycle after cycle, it’s not to be ignored.
While it can be part of your body’s usual response if you’ve been working out, you’re dehydrated, or just feeling the after-effects of a late night out (hangover cramps), in other cases it may be linked to conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
So, don’t write it off. A quick check-in with your doctor can help you figure out what’s really going on and how to feel better.
When You Also Have Nausea And Vomiting
Sometimes period cramps come with more than just pain, like nausea, diarrhoea, or even vomiting. But please don’t panic. Some digestive discomfort can be normal during your cycle.
Also, it could just be something you ate, a sensitive gut, or your IBS acting up. The problem arises if it keeps happening time and time again. Then, it’s worth checking in with your doctor to rule out anything more serious such as pelvic inflammatory disease or complications related to an IUD.
When You Have Pain Between Your Periods
Cramps showing up when you’re on your period? That makes sense. But if you’re feeling pelvic pain out of nowhere, say mid-cycle, after your period, or even randomly during the month, that’s not normal.
Sometimes, it could be something simple like muscle tension from stress or posture. But if the pain keeps showing up or gets worse over time, it could also be linked to things like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, pelvic infections, or adenomyosis. And if it’s paired with discomfort during sex, that’s another reason to check in with your doctor.
When You Experience Very Heavy Bleeding
If you’re bleeding so much every month that you’re soaking through a pad or tampon in an hour, that’s not “just a heavy period.” It is known as menorrhagia and, as per research, it affects 10 out of 100 women.
This kind of bleeding can sometimes be linked to fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalances like PCOS or thyroid issues, or even a bleeding disorder.
But before you worry, know that sometimes, it’s just your body adjusting to temporary changes like coming off birth control, entering perimenopause, or even dealing with high stress.
Still, heavy bleeding can lead to anaemia over time, leaving you feeling unusually tired, breathless, or just generally low. So if this sounds familiar, it’s worth checking in with your doctor.
You’re not being dramatic!
At the end of the day, you know your body best. If something feels off, whether it’s the timing, the intensity, or just how your period makes you feel, it’s okay to pause, ask questions, and seek help. Period cramps might be common, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence or push through what feels unbearable. Your comfort matters, and your health is worth listening to.
Got a cramp story or something that helped you feel better? Share it in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.
