Period pain
Why periods can hurt, what you can do at home, and when pain needs a health worker.
✓ Clinically reviewed · Catherine, RN & Juah, RN
When should I get help?
- Pain that is severe, worse than usual, or not helped by the things you usually do.
- Pain that stops you from doing your normal daily activities.
- Periods that become more painful, heavier or irregular.
- Pain during sex, or when you pee or poo, or bleeding between periods.
- A swollen tummy, loss of appetite, or losing weight without trying.
Key things to remember
- Period pain is often normal.
- Warmth, gentle massage and gentle exercise can help.
- Pain that stops your daily life should be checked.
📖 Read the full lesson
Period pain is common. It happens because the womb tightens during a period. It is often felt as cramps in the lower tummy that can spread to the back and thighs, and it usually lasts up to 3 days.
Things that can help at home include a warm bath or shower, a hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth on your tummy, gently rubbing your tummy and back, and gentle exercise such as walking. Cutting down on alcohol and not smoking may also help.
Sometimes painful periods are caused by a health condition, such as endometriosis, fibroids or an infection in the pelvis. A coil (IUD) can also cause pain in the first months after it is fitted.
HerHealth does not recommend medicines or doses. A health worker or pharmacist can advise you on what is safe for you.
📚 Sources
- NHS (UK) — Period pain Last reviewed 18 Mar 2026 · accessed 31 Oct 2026
Written in plain language from these sources. It does not imply endorsement by these organizations.
HH-ART-002 · Version 1.0 · Last updated 4 Nov 2026
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HerHealth provides educational health information and does not provide medical diagnosis or replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.