Period pain has often been brushed off as “normal.” It is framed as an unfortunate fact that women have to deal with hot water bottles and painkillers. The most common advice? Just rest it out. But here
is the truth: severe period pain is not normal at all, and there must be a legitimate reason behind those bad cramps.
Pain Is Common, But Debilitating Pain Isn’t
Mild cramps and some discomfort during your menstrual cycle are nothing out of the ordinary, especially during the first few days. But if that pain interferes with your daily routine and stops you from going to work or college, then that's a glaring red flag. If you spend your days curled up in your bed and throwing up, that is not something your body should endure. It is your body trying to give you a signal that something is wrong. Period pain has been very normalised in our society to the point that it is believed to be something every woman suffers from. Because of social norms, women are often discouraged from discussing their menstrual cycles and reproductive health openly. Because of this, most women are confused about whether to consult a medical professional or not when dealing with severe period cramps.
What Severe Pain Could Be Pointing To
Intense menstrual pain could be a symptom of underlying conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or hormonal imbalances. Endometriosis’s symptoms include severe cramps, heavy bleeding, and pain during or after sex, as well as pelvic pain. Adenomyosis and fibroids have similar symptoms, with additional bloating problems. They usually do not get diagnosed early, as women believe that cramps are normal. The severe pain could also be pointing to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID); it is when reproductive organs get infected and cause painful periods. Early detection and treatment are necessary to stop the condition from worsening. Hence, it is important to consult a professional to deal with this before the matter gets worse.
Painkillers Aren’t a Long-Term Solution
While medication does offer temporary relief, it is not a permanent solution. Prolonged use may cause stomach ulcers, nausea, heartburn, and even kidney damage over a longer period. It is very crucial for us to not get fully dependent on painkillers. Some natural alternatives could be heat therapy, ginger tea, yoga, and light exercise. Simply relying on pills every month without understanding the root cause will just cause more issues. Your body needs proper care and treatment.Being in severe pain every month is exhausting and chips away at your productivity. Trust your intuition; if something feels wrong, it probably is, and it is better to get it checked out. Seeking medical advice is necessary.