Menstruation is regular vaginal bleeding that occurs every month as part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Period cramps are extremely common, but they occasionally affect a woman’s day-to-day life. They can be painful and, for some, even debilitating. The medical term used to describe a painful period is “dysmenorrhea”.
A significant percentage of women experience cramps in the lower abdomen during their periods. The pain can be throbbing, sharp or spasmodic and sometimes mild but persistent.
Pain levels vary, and some women may have better tolerance towards it compared to others. Additionally, the intensity of the cramps could vary with each period as oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels fluctuate.
Cramping pain usually occurs in your lower abdomen and may spread to your back and legs. Other symptoms may include lower back discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache.
