Symptoms & care · 5 minute read
Period cramps: common does not mean untreatable
Why cramps happen, what to log, and signs that pain needs a clinician’s attention.
Evidence-informed · Editorial review August 2026 · Links to trusted sources are available in the interactive app
Why cramps happen
The uterus contracts during menstruation. Chemical messengers called prostaglandins contribute to those contractions and can be associated with cramping, nausea, diarrhea, headache, or back pain.
Track the effect, not just a score
Record where pain occurs, how long it lasts, what helps, and whether it interrupts sleep, work, school, exercise, sex, or routine activities. Functional impact is important clinical information.
Severe pain is worth evaluating
Pain that is new, worsening, occurs outside the period, or prevents usual activities may have an underlying cause such as endometriosis, fibroids, or another condition. Sudden severe pelvic pain needs prompt medical assessment.