What is period pain?
Dysmenorrhoea means period pain. This is pain in your lower tummy around the time of your period. Some pain during your period is normal. It is not normal to have pain that stops you from doing your normal daily routine.
There are many things you can do to try and help your period pain, including:
- Regular exercise
- Pain relief medications
- Using a heat pack
If your period pain lasts more than a few days or gets worse, you should see your GPGeneral Practitioner .
What will my GP do to help me with my period pain?
Your GP will talk to you about your pain. They may ask questions about your cycle and any other health issues you have. This is to work out if your pain is caused by a different health issue.
Your GP may do a health check of your pelvis or suggest other tests (such as a cervical cancer screening). They may also send you for a scan to check your pelvis more in depth. If the scan suggests you need further testing, your GP will refer you to a specialist for treatment.
Your treatment plan will depend on what is causing your pain. If there is no clear cause, your GP may suggest some things to help you manage. These can include:
- Using a heat pack or hot water bottle on the lower back or tummy
- Using gentle massage on the painful region
- Lifestyle changes
- Pain relief medications
What will my GP do in the future about my period pain?
Your GP will want to see you again after three months. They will check in to see if the treatment plan has helped your pain.
If you still have pain, your GP may suggest a new treatment plan to try for a few months. They may also refer you to a specialist if your pain has gotten worse.
