While it is normal for some girls to have cramps during the first few days of their period, “very painful periods” are not. If your pain prevents you from going to school, work, or participating in other activities and you don’t get relief from over the counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen, you should make an appointment with your health care provider (HCP). After examining you and asking questions about your cycle and family medical history, your HCP will talk about next steps such as treatment that may include taking different doses of medicines during your period and/or birth control pills or other hormonal treatments such as the patch, vaginal ring, Depo-provera, IUD, and hormonal implants. Your HCP will suggest the best options to help treat your painful periods. It’s a good idea to track your periods to see if there is a pattern to your pain, when it begins and ends, and what makes it feel better or worse. If you continue to have painful periods, ask your HCP if you might have endometriosis or other cause for your symptoms.
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