Menstrual pain

What is the menstrual cycle?

A woman’s menstrual cycle is a natural process that generally occurs once every month as the body prepares itself for a possible pregnancy. At the start of each cycle, the uterus begins to develop a soft lining of blood-rich tissue in preparation to receive an egg that will be released from the ovaries (this is called ovulation).

If fertilized, the egg would develop into a baby. If fertilization does not occur, then the blood-rich lining of the uterus is shed, because it is no longer needed. This is called a period, or menstruation.

Why menstrual pain occurs

During menstruation, it’s normal to experience some cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which may spread to the lower back and thighs. This is often referred to as period pain or 'dysmenorrhea'.

The pain occurs as a result of the womb contracting (or squeezing) to remove the lining that it no longer needs, causing the uterus to compress nearby blood vessels and briefly cut off the oxygen supply to the uterus. This causes the release of chemicals such as prostaglandins, which are known to be involved in period pain.