Painful periods | Pfizer Australia

Painful periods

Painful periods can have a real impact on your quality of life, but you’re not alone. Read on for more information about the options that might be available to support you.

Painful periods

Painful periods can have a real impact on your quality of life, but you’re not alone. Read on for more information about the options that might be available to support you.

What is period pain?

Period pain is usually a stomach ache or cramping feeling in your lower belly. It's sometimes called menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea.

Period pain tends to start a few days before menstruation (bleeding). It's usually at its worst at the start of bleeding and on the heaviest days of bleeding.

You might also get other symptoms like:

nausea (feeling sick)
vomiting
diarrhoea
tiredness
aches and pains in other parts of your body

How common is period pain?

Period pain is very common. If you have painful periods, you’re not alone:

It's thought they affect somewhere between 4–9 out of 10 women who have periods.¹
They tend to affect younger women the most.
Almost half of Australians who have painful periods have missed work or studies because of period symptoms.^*2

*A survey of 1,238 Australian women (median age of 33 years) found that almost half (44%) reported missed days of work or study due to period symptoms.

Pain is personal

Just because period pain is common, it doesn’t mean you should suffer in silence. Some women experience mild discomfort, while others get severe pain. Everyone’s experience is different, and you know your body best – ask for support if you need it.

Why can periods be painful?

Period pain is caused by the uterus (womb) contracting. This is due to chemicals that the body produces called prostaglandins. The contractions help the uterus shed its lining.

Other causes

Period pain can also be caused by health conditions such as endometriosis. It’s important to see your doctor if the pain is severe or stops you doing your usual activities.

More about endometriosis

How can I manage painful periods?

There are self-care treatments and over-the-counter medicines you can try at home to help relieve period pain.

See your GP if you experience any of the below:

The below strategies and treatments aren’t helping
Your pain stops you doing your usual activities
Your pain is severe

Self-care treatment

Below are some ideas to help you take care of yourself. You might need to try a few things to find what’s best for you. You know your body best, so do what feels good for you.

Heat can help – try a heat pack or hot water bottle on your lower belly or lower back, or warm drinks like herbal tea or milk
Move your body – regular exercise releases natural chemicals that can help relieve pain. It doesn’t have to be intense. You can also try some stretching and lightly massaging your lower belly
Get some rest – try to make sure you are getting enough sleep. If you can, allow yourself some extra rest and relaxation during your period
Manage any stress – often easier said than done, but try to manage stress in other areas of your life. Techniques like meditation and breathing exercises can help

Over-the-counter medicines

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are medicines that work on your body to stop it making prostaglandins, which cause the uterus to contract.

Examples include:

ibuprofen
naproxen
mefenamic acid

Ask your pharmacist which treatment is right for you.

Talk to your doctor if you have painful periods

References:

Proctor M and Farquhar C. Diagnosis and management of dysmenorrhoea. BMJ. 2006;332:1134-8.
Mardon AK, et al. Problematic Periods Costing Young Women—The Impact of Menstrual Symptoms on Work and Study. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2024.

This site is intended only for Australian residents. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare professional.