This is a bit embarrassing I guess, but I need to see whether my experience is standard, or not.
We are told periods are painful so I have always assumed mine are standard. But I am struggling today and wanted to ask.
Day 1-2: particularly painful. Often have to double over (usually at night), urge to sit on the loo, feel very upset because of the pain. However paracetamol and hot water bottles help. I find myself feeling spaced out.
Day 3-4
Varies, can be on the more painful end or can actually be fine. Less painful than the first couple of days though, usually manageable.
Day 5-7
Almost always no pain.
My periods can be around 4 weeks, 5 weeks or just disappear for some time. I cannot plan my life around them and I dread having a day 1-2 experience when I need to do something fun. I have never missed work, but I have been a lot of pain too many times to remember.
Is this a normal level of pain? How painful should a period or "cramps" (I've never really understood this as cramps implies not constant) be?