


Secondary dysmenorrhea is period pain with another root cause, such as a health condition like endometriosis. Primary dysmenorrhea (the clinical word for painful periods) is pain caused by the period itself. Note: Menstrual cramps can be “primary” or “secondary”. So what exactly causes, and relieves, cramps? What causes period cramps? Getting familiar with the basics of menstrual cycle-related pain can help you understand if your pain might be something to talk to your healthcare provider about. Keeping track of your pain with an app, like Clue, can be helpful. When it comes to menstrual cramps, it’s important to advocate for yourself and communicate your pain levels to a healthcare provider. It’s common for a young person suffering from severe menstrual pain not to talk about it with their doctor (4). Female pain is often overlooked and/or under-treated in comparison to male pain presentation (3). Menstrual cramps that are severe are usually associated with medical conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis. Moderate to intense pain is more common 2 to 3 years after your first period ( menarche) and usually gets better after age 20, or after pregnancy and birth (2). 1 in 10 people experience pain levels that can affect their daily activities for 1-3 days each cycle. Cramps can be barely noticeable, or quite painful or severe (2). They may start strong and feel better as the hours pass, or come and go more randomly. They usually last about one to three days. People typically feel their cramps just before or at the time when bleeding begins each cycle. At first, they may come and go, and then happen in all or most cycles (as ovulation happens more frequently). Most people first notice menstrual cramps about 6 months to a year after getting their first period (1). Menstrual cramps are very common: In Clue, about 3 in 4 people report experiencing cramps just before or during their period. You might also experience pain in the middle of your cycle during ovulation. You’re probably familiar with period cramps: uterine cramps around the time of your period, which are typically felt in the abdomen, back, or thighs. This mineral may be effective in lessening menstrual pain over time, and reducing the need for pain medication. Take the edge off with a heat compress and a common anti-inflammatory pain medication, like ibuprofenįor prevention, consider a magnesium supplement. They are a necessary part of the process, but in excess, they cause pain. Menstrual cramps are most likely caused by an excess of prostaglandins-compounds that are released from the uterine lining as it prepares to be shed.
