Most women experience some form of period pain during their lifetime. The medical term for period pain is dysmenorrhoea. The pain caused by menstruation is usually felt in your lower abdominal area, but can also spread to your back and thighs.
How common is it?
Although it is not known exactly how many women experience period pain, research has shown that it is a very common condition. Some studies suggest that approximately three quarters of young women and a quarter to a half of adult women experience pain and discomfort during their period. For up to one in five women, this pain is so severe that it stops them from doing their daily activities.
Most cases of period pain are a normal part of your menstrual cycle and can be treated at home. However, in some cases, period pain can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
If your period pain is severe, visit your GP to check that no medical condition is causing your pain.
Continue to next section: Symptoms of painful periods