Why Severe Period Pain Should Never Be Ignored
For years, I believed painful periods were simply something I had to live with.
My symptoms started when I was 16. The first day of my cycle was always the worst. The pain would begin low in my abdomen and radiate down my back and legs. Sometimes it came with nausea or vomiting. Other times the pain was so intense it would keep me from getting out of bed.
Over time, I developed little rituals to get through it.
I learned to hold my ankles on an acupressure point to try to ease the pain. I kept Aleve (naproxen) nearby because I knew that within about 20 or 30 minutes the medication would usually take the edge off. I drank oregano tea. And strangely enough, what many women call “period poop” often brought relief too.
That routine became normal for me.
But just because something becomes normal in your life does not mean it’s normal.
When Painful Periods Are Dismissed
For years, the only advice I received was to take Aleve. Later, birth control pills were suggested as a way to manage the pain. I chose not to go that route, but at the time I didn’t know there were other possibilities to explore or questions I should be asking.
Looking back, I wish someone had told me earlier that severe menstrual pain deserves investigation.
Painful periods can sometimes be a sign of underlying conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or hormonal imbalances that affect the menstrual cycle. Endometriosis, for example, occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, often causing inflammation and significant pain during the menstrual cycle.
In my case, my symptoms eventually led to that discovery.
When My Symptoms Changed
Around 2019, I started experiencing a new kind of pain. It felt like contractions that came in waves, sometimes even days after my period had ended.
That type of pain was different from what I had experienced before. It was stronger, more unpredictable, and honestly it made me angry. I remember being in tears. If it happened while I was at the office, I’d have to run home as soon as I felt a contraction before it got worse.
That frustration is something many women with chronic menstrual pain understand.
Our symptoms are often minimized or treated as routine, when in reality they may be pointing to something deeper that deserves attention.
Finding Support Beyond Traditional Answers
Eventually, I began exploring additional ways to support my health. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs became an important part of my journey. Over time, those treatments helped reduce the flare-ups and manage symptoms that had once felt overwhelming.
Along the way, I also learned other small things that helped support my body during painful cycles. Using heat pads during flare-ups often helped relax the muscles and ease some of the cramping. Castor oil packs also became part of my routine at times, something many women use to support circulation and help calm inflammation in the pelvic area.
I also learned more about the role of diet and inflammation. Eating more anti-inflammatory foods like fish and leafy greens seemed to help my body overall, while cutting back on things like refined carbs and some of my favorite comfort foods—yes, including pizza—made a difference too. I haven’t been super consistent with giving up pizza. Not sure I’ll ever be.
What I learned through this process is something I now share with other women whenever this topic comes up: if your doctor doesn’t have answers, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
Sometimes it simply means you need to keep looking.
That might mean finding a gynecologist who specializes in endometriosis or working with a holistic practitioner who approaches the body from a different perspective. Not all doctors are trained in the same areas, and finding the right support can make a huge difference.
Painful periods should never automatically be dismissed as “just part of being a woman.”
Your body is communicating something. And that message deserves to be heard.