Even though pain and/or discomfort during periods is familiar to most women, severe menstrual cramping that is accompanied by debilitating pain can be a sign of some gynecological disorder. It is important to understand that your condition should be evaluated by a gynecologist.

Pain during periods is called dysmenorrhea. It can be primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is a mild pain that naturally accompanies periods and can be eliminated with the help of painkillers. Secondary dysmenorrhea means severe pain during periods that occur due to certain underlying diseases. In this article, we have gathered five common conditions that can make your periods unbearable.

1. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition that occurs when vaginal infection wasn’t treated on time. This leads to the spread of the infection and inflammation onto the pelvic organs. When pelvic organs become inflamed, a woman can experience:

• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Severe menstrual cramping
• Fever
• Abnormal vaginal discharge

If you have noticed at least some of the aforementioned symptoms, it is essential to contact a gynecology clinic as soon as possible. Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease can contribute to chronic pelvic pain. Additionally, it can cause adhesions that block the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries and lead to infertility.

2. Cervical stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a condition in which the cervical opening (passageway) is narrow or even closed. As a result, blood and the endometrial tissue can’t leave the uterus and a woman with this condition can experience severe symptoms. Cervical stenosis can develop during menopause, because of cervical cancer, or after certain surgical treatments that impact the cervix. If you experience symptoms, your gynecologist can perform cervical dilation or place a cervical stent.

3. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus called the endometrium starts to grow on the pelvic organs. Due to the fact that the endometrium that grows in the uterus sheds during periods, it sheds even when it grows on the pelvic organs. 

Women with endometriosis tend to suffer from painful periods and pain during sex. In addition to severe cramps, endometriosis can cause fertility issues since it attaches pelvic organs to each other. Even though endometriosis can’t be cured, it is important to treat it to avoid severe complications. 

4. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a quite rare condition that develops when the endometrium starts to ingrow into the uterine walls. As a result, a woman with adenomyosis can have heavy periods that are accompanied by severe cramping. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, pain during sex, and abdominal pressure. The most common treatment options for adenomyosis include anti-inflammatory medication, hormonal therapy, and hysterectomy. 

5. Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop on the uterine walls. Even though fibroids can develop asymptomatically and cause symptoms only during periods, they can be left unnoticed for a long time. But when fibroids grow large, they can cause pelvic pressure, pain, and fertility issues. 

Due to the fact that fibroids grow in the uterus, they can complicate the endometrial tissue shed during periods. It can result in severe cramping and pain during periods. That’s why it is essential to undergo a thorough gynecological examination if you have painful menstruation. Fortunately, there are a lot of treatment options that can help you cope with fibroids.

The bottom line

If you have abnormally painful periods, you shouldn’t neglect this symptom and rely only on painkillers and a heating pad. It is important to define the exact cause of your pain since the condition that can trigger your discomfort may require immediate treatment or at least regular monitoring.