ARE MY painful periods normal?
Are Painful Periods Normal?
This is a question I get asked all the time.
In short: no, painful periods are not normal. But they are incredibly common.
An Australian study in 2016 found that 88% of women aged 16 to 29 report experiencing dysmenorrhoea.
So, what is dysmenorrhoea?
Dysmenorrhoea is the medical term for painful periods. It refers to period pain that ranges from uncomfortable to debilitating — and it’s not something you just have to “put up with.”
There are two types of dysmenorrhoea:
Primary dysmenorrhoea – painful periods in an otherwise healthy woman
Secondary dysmenorrhoea – period pain due to an underlying condition, such as fibroids or endometriosis
What defines heavy, painful periods?
Bleeding more than 80ml in one period is considered heavy.
How do I know how much I’m bleeding?
It can be tricky to estimate blood loss. Counting pads or tampons can give a rough idea, but there are a few variables (like how soaked they are or how often you change them).
Using a menstrual cup is one of the most accurate ways to estimate flow. Most cups have millilitre markings inside. You can jot down how much is collected each time you empty it and total it up at the end of your cycle.
Coming back to our original question: “Are my painful periods normal?”
Some mild cramping is considered within the range of normal. But pain that:
causes vomiting, fainting, or insomnia
comes with temperature changes
or is paired with heavy bleeding
→ should absolutely be investigated.
Pain is a sign that something isn’t quite right. If it interferes with day-to-day life, don’t ignore it.
Did you know? 1 in 7 women have endometriosis
Endometriosis is the most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhoea. Sadly, it often takes more than 7 years for many women to receive a diagnosis. Why?
Many women believe their pain is “normal” and don’t seek help
Standard pelvic ultrasounds often can’t detect endometriosis
Healthcare professionals may lack awareness or experience with this condition
Please get support if you’re experiencing dysmenorrhoea
Period pain might be common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.
If you’re experiencing heavy, painful periods, speak to your doctor or another trusted healthcare professional. Ask about possible causes, and consider getting a pelvic ultrasound or further investigations to rule out conditions like endometriosis.
And I can’t recommend it highly enough: have a naturopath on your support team! Whether you’re dealing with primary or secondary dysmenorrhoea, having someone in your corner to guide you naturally — with practical, personalised support — makes a world of difference.
AUTHOR: Talitha
I specialise in gut health (IBS, IBD, microbiome testing), women's health (preconception, fertility, hormone balance), and mental health (depression, stress, anxiety). I am a degree- qualified naturopath who LOVES helping people transform their health stories!!
