Pain isn't norma

Learn when menstrual pain signals underlying issues that could affect your fertility and well-being

- Dr. Kshitiz Murdia

Painful or irregular periods are not just uncomfortable — they can sometimes interfere with your daily life. Period pain, also called dysmenorrhea can be mild for some, but for others, it can be quite severe. It may also come with other symptoms like tiredness, nausea, or headaches. Most people know what period cramps feel like but not everyone knows why they happen. The uterus is a strong muscle. Each month, it builds up a soft lining inside in case a pregnancy happens. If there’s no pregnancy, the body doesn't need that lining anymore, so it sheds it.

To push out the lining and menstrual blood, the uterus squeezes or tightens. These squeezes are called contractions, and they're what cause cramps. They're triggered by natural chemicals in the body called prostaglandins. The higher the level of these chemicals, the stronger the cramps.