Don’t Ignore Your Body: Your Period isn’t Supposed to Hurt THAT Much
Sources are linked in-text, and more resources are listed below.
For generations, people who menstruate have been told to “tough it out” and that period pain is just part of the process.. From family to friends, to doctors themselves, we’ve internalized the idea that our menstrual cycle is supposed to be uncomfortable, even unbearable and that it’s normal to bleed heavily, miss school or work, or suffer through pain with nothing more than a hot water bottle and a painkiller.
But here’s the truth: your period is not supposed to hurt that much. There are many symptoms we’ve been conditioned to accept as “normal” that may actually be warning signs from our bodies.
Grounded in research from institutions like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), while mild cramping, mood changes, and some fatigue are typical around your period, there’s a difference that ought to be acknowledged between discomfort and debilitation. According to this article from the US Office on Women’s Health, if your period routinely leaves you unable to get out of bed, vomiting from pain, or rushing to the bathroom every hour to change a soaked pad or tampon, that is not normal.
Below are period symptoms that are often dismissed, but shouldn't be:
Extreme fatigue: Feeling drained or weak during your period could point to anemia from blood loss or hormonal imbalances.
Severe bloating: Some bloating is common, but if you look or feel pregnant every cycle, it might indicate fibroids or gut inflammation. The National Institutes of Health lists fibroids as a leading cause of heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure.
Nausea and vomiting: Not normal. Severe nausea could signal endometriosis or hormonal imbalances. The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) explains how this condition is frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed.
Digestive issues (diarrhea/constipation): Hormonal changes affect the gut, but extreme or persistent GI symptoms may point to endometriosis or irritable bowel syndrome triggered by your cycle.
Migraines: Hormonal fluctuations can trigger migraines. If they’re frequent or incapacitating, it’s time to speak to a healthcare provider.
Severe mood swings, anxiety, or depression: If your mental health nosedives before your period every month, you could be experiencing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that requires medical attention.
Painful periods can be a symptom of conditions like:
Endometriosis — where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain, heavy bleeding, and sometimes infertility.
Adenomyosis — when the uterine lining grows into the muscle wall of the uterus, leading to intense cramping and heavy periods.
Fibroids — non-cancerous growths in the uterus that cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and prolonged periods.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — a hormonal disorder that disrupts ovulation, causes irregular periods, acne, and excessive hair growth.
Education is our first line of defense and The Right Way Toolkit reminds us that our menstrual health is worth advocating for.
Here are some steps you can take toward caring for your body during your cycle:
Prioritize rest and sleep
Create a Period Care Kit
Stay Hydrated
Avoid excess sugar, processed foods and caffeine
Eat magnesium and iron rich foods; lentils, fish, fortified cereals, spinach
Consider Ginger or Chamomile teas <3
Light movement like walking, yoga, or stretching helps relieve cramps by improving circulation
Use a period tracker or a simple journal. Document the severity of your pain, bleeding, mood changes, and any other symptoms. Patterns will help your healthcare provider understand what’s going on.
If your symptoms interfere with your life, seek medical advice. Don’t hesitate to see a gynecologist preferably one experienced in reproductive health conditions like endometriosis or PCOS. If seeing a private gynecologist is costly or difficult to access, start by visiting your local Family Planning Association or health center, they often provide affordable reproductive health services, including help with menstrual issues. You can also reach out to community organizations like FEMINITT or the Endometriosis and PCOS Associations in your country for guidance and referrals.
If you’re a student or a worker, check whether your institution or employer has on-site nurses, clinics, or wellness programmes that can assist or make referrals.
Knowledge is power and it helps break generational cycles of silence. Read and share resources like The Right Way Toolkit and FEMINITT’s Safe Cycle Report on menstrual equity.
If your period regularly sidelines you or feels unbearable, it’s time to listen to your body and demand better care. Period pain is not a rite of passage, it is a reason to investigate, advocate, and change the way we view menstrual health. Stop normalizing pain; let’s normalize care.
Blog Sources:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) "Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods" https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods
Office on Women’s Health (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) "Heavy Menstrual Bleeding" https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/heavy-menstrual-bleeding
Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) "Endometriosis Overview and Symptoms"
https://www.endofound.org/endometriosis
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: my.clevelandclinic.org
International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) – PMDD Resources and Symptom Guides https://iapmd.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.htmlNational Institutes of Health (NIH) – Fibroids and Menstrual Health
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/uterine/conditioninfoNational Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Magnesium and Menstrual Health: “Magnesium can reduce PMS symptoms, bloating, and cramping” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8776285/
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends healthy fats (omega-3s), whole grains, and limiting processed foods to reduce inflammation: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/anti-inflammatory-diet/
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exercise and Mood Regulation During the Menstrual Cycle
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20616328/
Resources:
The Right Way Toolkit (FEMINITT Caribbean) – Focused on community SRHR education and menstrual health awareness: https://feminitt.com/ (Direct link to toolkit resources can be requested from FEMINITT)
Safe Cycle Report – Ensuring a Safe Menstrual Cycle and Menstrual Equity
Published by FEMINITT Caribbean, this report provides insights on menstrual equity and recommendations for regional action: https://feminitt.com/safe-cycle/
Flo Health – Period and symptom tracker with medical content: https://flo.health/