AIBU to ask whether this level of period pain is normal?

[Romandaisy]

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?

Luckily you have this thread to refer to, both your own words and the supportive comments from everyone else! Maybe write down some of the most salient points and bring them with you to the GP?

What you're describing is definitely not something you should be expected to tolerate. Well done for booking the appointment, as a fellow sufferer, I'm genuinely really happy for you.

(Regarding the paracetamol, do make sure you're taking it correctly if taking consistently over a few days. it's actually not 1 g every four hours, it's 1 g x 4 in any 24-hour period with a minimum of 4 hours between doses. I'm sure you know this, I'm just being cautious as it's very toxic to your liver if taken in excess.)

Maybe because you’ve suffered for so long? Honestly please go. This will make a huge difference for you. Being in pain for 4 days is awful. Just think what you could have done with that time.

This is not normal OP. I had similar pain, sometimes with vomiting and/or diarrhoea as a teenager. Also with pain radiating down the thigh and with a cycle that was erratic (with some months missed). Went to GP multiple
times and was recommended the pill which helped somewhat (stopped the pain induced vomiting), but my period pain was still bad. Got worse in my mid-late 30’s with heavy bleeding and a new stabbing pain. After a failed Mirena coil fitting I was referred for an ultrasound and they found quite severe adenomyosis (which I had never heard of before that). I then had a hysterectomy. From the moment I woke from the anaesthetic I felt nothing but relief at being free from period pain. I don’t have practical advice, just offering my solidarity, encouragement to get it investigated and hopes and pleas for the development of effective treatments and therapies for women of the future

Thank you for the comments, everyone. I'm definitely going to the appointment, I'm grateful to be seen, I just feel a bit awkward about. I do get pain at other times of the month too and basically I get 'it's coming' pain often for about a week... Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. So you basically feel like it's about to start even though it's not. It's early tomorrow so at least I won't be worrying about it all day.

Thank you for the paracetamol tips. I probably have been using too many, I need to address this too!

I went to the appointment, they were lovely. I've got a follow up with the GP booked now too before they decide what's needed. Thanks for giving me the push x

Thats great to hear.

Oh good! Well done for getting over that first hurdle, OP - and finding it wasn’t such a hurdle after all!

Mefenamic acid from the GP helps my daughter.

Thank you both and yes, I was prescribed mefenamic too. Pleased to hear it helps your daughter!

Keep a pain diary and see your GP for suspected endo.

Although it took me 8 years from initial GP appointment to diagnostic laparoscopy so welcome to the journey.

I think it's possible you have endometriosis. If it's attached to the bowel, it could be causing IBS symptoms.

I think the average to get endometriosis diagnosed is 10 years! I'll find the GP leaflet for you.

It can be diagnosed with an ultrasound and treated with laser ablation. I had to have several of them, but once I had my daughter at 40 I got a Mirena and have had no periods since!

Getting a diagnosis Jan 2025 (3).pdf https://share.google/v0NRyyM4Qrm8AxhCs

Publications | Endometriosis UK https://share.google/izUlFM5OGWMOC6Pu9

Also I forgot the laparoscopy part.

Mine have always been awful and heavy. Managed to push out copper coil with cramping so bad.

Mirena iud was only thing chnaged it. Stopped my periods within a year so no cramping.

I paid to see a gynae privately after the year or two where the NHS thought I had reflux (I did have reflux but it was a symptom). The NHS gastroenterologist said I should see a gynaecologist.

This was normal for me, I was taken to my gp as a young teen and prescribed contraceptive pil to manage the symptoms.

Came off the pill to start a family, 6years of infertility and I was diagnosed with endometriosis. Had treatment and got pregnant almost immediately.

Wished I had seen the gp much earlier and not been fobbed off with the pill as a teenager

My mum totally fobbed me off about period pain as a teenager.

I've had to spend thousands on treatment and private IVF. I do feel a bit resentful sometimes.

I was the same.
EXCRUCIATING pain for 2 weeks out of 4. Had to stick my head in the cupboard at work sometimes, to cry.
Even with the highest strength of prescribed opiates and ponstan, I’d still suffer.

Had DC1 and not so much as a twinge ever again.

Thank you for sharing @Phineyj

I'm so sorry you had that experience.

I'm sorry too for everyone who suffers. It is not normal and shouldn't be tolerated.

Grrrrr.

Work is a big one. I have had so many awful days at work. I remember having to minute a 3 hour meeting that was too important to be recorded and finding it so hard to keep track because of the pain and the anxiety of the whole situation.

Every year we have a week which is extremely full on and everyone has to be on it. Of course the biggest day was day 1 and I'm trying to smile get the day done, having been up a lot of the night. My male colleague was off sick that day with a cold (it was just a cold).

I got mefenamic acid prescribed when I had them badly as a teen. In my 40s now and not on contraception, and although day 1 will put a dampner on my plans, with meds and sometimes a stick on heat pad, I get through ok.

Definitely speak to your GP.

I have no idea what normal is tbh. I just have twinges and the occasional half hour of aching. My best friend always seems struck down by them and constantly seems to be on.

So god knows what’s normal.