Period pain can occur before or during a female’s menstrual period. The intensity of the pain can range from mild discomfort to severe cramps.
There are ways to treat or stop period pain.
However, to permanently stop period pain, it may be necessary to try several treatments or home care options before finding a solution that works. This is especially so if the period pain is a result of an underlying health condition.
This article will discuss what causes period pain and look at some treatment options and home remedies that could stop it permanently.
During a female’s monthly menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, thickens to allow a pregnancy to occur. Periods, also known as mensuration, occur when the body sheds this lining due to the absence of a pregnancy.
In order for the endometrium to shed, the uterine muscles tighten and relax in an irregular pattern. This movement helps the uterine lining detach, allowing it to pass through the cervix and out through the vagina.
However, these contractions of the uterine muscles can cause discomfort. This discomfort can range from mild to extremely painful cramping. The pain associated with periods is known as dysmenorrhea.
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), more than half of those who menstruate experience period pain for 1–2 days each month.
Underlying health conditions can also cause period pain. Females who receive treatment for these conditions may find that their period pain lessens or stops completely.
Depending on the cause of someone’s period pain, it may be possible to stop the cyclical pain permanently. Those who experience painful periods should speak with their doctor about which treatments are best for them.
Everyone reacts differently to medication, so methods that work for some females may not work for others. However, there are various clinical treatments a doctor may suggest to help stop period pain permanently.
The following sections will look at some of these treatments in more detail.
Hormonal contraception comes in many forms, including oral tablets, injections, and inserted devices.
Oral contraceptives work by using hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg. Oral contraceptive pills come in two different varieties:
Both forms of oral contraceptive
Oral contraceptives may also cause some females to have lighter and more regular periods. So, if a female finds that oral contraceptives do not stop their period pain, they can take them to
However, they should always speak to their doctor before changing how they take their birth control pills.
Progestin is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. There are
Anyone who wishes to become pregnant while also preventing period pain should discuss alternative methods with their doctor.
Sometimes, severe period pain is the result of an underlying health condition. In these cases, receiving treatment for the condition may help alleviate period pain.
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow in areas outside of the uterine cavity. This tissue bleeds and swells at the same time as the monthly period.
Some symptoms of endometriosis
Treatment
Healthcare professionals can treat endometriosis in a variety of ways, including by:
Learn more about endometriosis here.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that arise from the muscle and fibrous tissue of the uterus. They are very common. Fibroids are most often non-cancerous and can be
Although most fibroids do not cause symptoms, someone who has them may experience:
Treatment
To treat uterine fibroids, a doctor may consider several options, including:
Learn more about uterine fibroids here.
Adenomyosis is a condition wherein the endometrial tissue that usually lines the uterine cavity begins to grow within the walls of the uterus.
Someone with adenomyosis may experience:
Treatment
Certain birth control methods and hormone suppressants can help manage adenomyosis symptoms. However, the only way to cure adenomyosis is by undergoing a hysterectomy.
Learn more about adenomyosis here.
Pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help alleviate period pain.
Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen,
Depending on the severity of someone’s period pain, NSAIDs may be able to stop the pain completely. However, they would need to take an NSAID during each period for it to provide pain relief.
Learn more about home remedies for relieving period pain here.
These methods may not be able to stop period pain permanently, but they can work quickly.
Females who would prefer fast-acting pain relief for their period pain can try:
When possible, preventing period pain before it starts is a good method for managing the menstrual cycle. Females may be able to do this by making certain dietary changes or by quitting smoking.
One
According to one 2020 study, people who smoked cigarettes were
Females should
For those who would like to stop their period pain permanently, a doctor can recommend several different treatment pathways.
If a female thinks that underlying health problems could be the cause of their period pain, or the pain is frequently severe, they should speak with their doctor.
Last medically reviewed on January 28, 2021
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