A lot of people are told that bad period pain is normal. But if your cramps are so intense that you’re missing school, canceling plans, or stuck in bed; your body might be trying to tell you something.
It could potentially be endometriosis.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis tissue acts like the tissue that lines the uterus: it thickens and breaks down with each period, but because it grows outside of the uterus, it does not shed during a period like normal endometrial menstrual tissue does. This can cause pain and other health problems.
Some symptoms of endometriosis?
- Painful cramps
- Bloating or nausea
- Pain during or after sex
- Feeling tired and low energy
- Problems with fertility or getting pregnant
- Heavy or irregular periods, or spotting and bleeding between periods
- Diarrhea or constipation, or pain with urination or bowel movements during a period
** Note: Endometriosis can be hard to diagnose because it can mirror symptoms of a lot of other conditions. The only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is to talk to a healthcare provider.
What level of period pain is normal?
There’s no true “normal” because period pain can feel different for everyone. Often period pain is dismissed as a normal thing that people with uteruses must go through, but pain should not interfere with your daily life. If pain is causing you to miss school or work or making it hard for you to carry out your regular routine, then you might want to consider getting it checked out by a medical provider. You deserve to live your life free from chronic pain.
When to Talk to a Doctor
Consider seeing a healthcare provider if:
- Pain lasts more than two days
- Your period pain feels unbearable
- Your cramps are getting worse over time
- Pain medication like ibuprofen don’t help
- You have pelvic pain even when you’re not on your period
- You have heavy bleeding, vomiting, or fever with cramps
What if my doctor isn’t taking my pain seriously?
You deserve to have healthcare providers that listen to your concerns and take them seriously. Sometimes there are doctors or health professionals that may assume or dismiss your pain as something normal instead of trying to find a solution that can help you.
If you are finding it difficult to talk to a healthcare provider and have them listen, you can always switch doctors and ask for a second opinion. You can also visit a women’s health clinic, many of which are inclusive of all genders with uteruses. Or see a specialist like a gynecologist. Always remember you can talk to a trusted adult ally to help support you in your process. Find a clinic near you to get support.
How can I treat it?
There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but some treatments are available to help relieve symptoms. They can help you reduce your pain and improve your quality of life. A healthcare provider can help your decide what options are best for your body and what treatments would work best for you.
Treatment Options
Over the counter medicines like ibuprofen or naproxen may help reduce cramps and heavy bleeding. Hormonal birth control can less the pain and reduce the bleeding or stop periods altogether. Get more informed about your birth control options on TeenSource.
Severe pain is not something you have to keep to yourself. If something feels wrong, it probably is. If pain is disrupting your life, you deserve support. If someone dismisses you, keep advocating.