Beyond Cramps: When to See a Doctor About Your Painful Periods

At Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom, we provide compassionate care for the full spectrum of women’s health issues. That includes painful periods, a condition that affects more women than you might think. 

While your period might not be something you look forward to each month, it also shouldn’t be something you dread. 

Let’s explore what causes cramping and when you should consider visiting our office to discuss options for relief. 

Cramping is a normal part of menstruation

Cramping can be felt as a dull, throbbing pain in your lower abdomen. It can increase in intensity and radiate into your lower back and thighs. 

Some women experience sharp, intense cramping. For others, the sensation might be more like an aching that continues for hours or even days. 

These sensations are usually caused by contractions in your uterus. It’s part of your body’s way of expelling your uterine lining each month. This process is triggered by hormones and can range in severity from mildly annoying to nearly debilitating. 

But just because cramping is normal, that doesn’t mean you have to accept significant discomfort as an inevitable part of your monthly cycle. 

Intense cramping could be a sign of a women’s health issue

In some cases, extreme cramping or pain during your period could indicate a gynecologic condition. Some of the issues that can lead to painful periods include:

• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Cervical stenosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease

One reason you should not ignore painful periods is the chance that your cramping might be a sign of something more serious. Fortunately, there are treatment options for all of these issues. 

A new birth control method might help ease cramping

For many women, hormonal imbalance is a factor for intense cramping, as well as heavy bleeding. In these cases, trying a new hormonal birth control method can help balance your hormones and lessen discomfort. It can also lighten your bleeding each month. 

Our providers help determine the best birth control options for your needs. That includes considering your family planning goals, your current set of symptoms, and your overall health. It can sometimes take trying a few options to find the right fit. 

Don’t let painful periods interrupt your life

Far too many women simply accept that they’re not going to be able to fully participate in life during their periods. 

They change plans and reschedule obligations to make time to rely on a heating pad, naps, or over-the-counter medication to ease their discomfort. 

While your period might not always come at a convenient time or be completely painless, it should not force you to alter your normal routines. If you find yourself making compromises to accommodate your period, it’s time to look into more reasonable solutions. 

Our team offers state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to determine the cause of painful period cramping. We can provide treatment for the full scope of women’s health issues, and our providers are happy to discuss the pros and cons of various options.

The first step is booking an appointment at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom, which you can complete today by reaching out to our office online or over the phone. We’ll work with you to help make your menstrual cycles less disruptive and easier to manage.