Experiencing discomfort during periods is not unusual. It is important to understand and recognise the difference between discomfort and extreme pain.
If one has to use a heat pack occasionally and take a couple of paracetamols and manage the day-to-day activities with negligible impact, that is discomfort. This is expected and not a worrisome aspect requiring further investigations or interventions.
If one requires paracetamol, ibuprofen, Naprogesic, mefenamic acid or codeine for pain management twice or thrice a day on most days then it’s strongly recommended to book to see your GP. Similarly, if the intensity of pain is associated with nausea and/or vomiting, migraines, bowel problems and/or fainting episodes needing regular absence from school, university or work, that requires a comprehensive review and assessment by a doctor who has training and experience in women’s health related conditions.
(Some doctors have more experience with women’s health conditions than others so if you feel your presenting symptoms need a second or third opinion, then do consider looking for a doctor who can best assist you with these issues.)
Many lifestyle changes, behavioural and dietary modifications can facilitate management of these presentations along with appropriate medications when warranted.
The terms that are usually worth understanding here are:
- dysmenorrhoea
- menstrual migraines
- endometriosis
- heavy menstrual bleeding
- endometrial polyps
- fibroids
- ovarian cysts
- polycystic ovarian syndrome
- adenomyosis
Many girls and women have been told to expect pain and heavy bleeding to be normal during their periods but there is no education about the various conditions that impact these symptoms in their cycles and what to do if that happens.
Jean Hailes Foundation has really good educational resources available for these conditions that can help you understand them better.
HealthDirect and Better Health Channel are also reliable sites for information and management options.
The Royal Women’s Hospital has fact sheets about periods and what to expect during your cycle along with management options including contraceptive choices that can manage painful and heavy periods both.
