How this plan is chosen
The steps are those recommended by the NHS for period pain: heat, massage, gentle exercise, then paracetamol or ibuprofen. Stronger pain adds options such as a TENS machine. Your answers also check for the signs that mean pain needs assessing rather than managing at home.
For more detail, read what helps with period cramps.
Why period cramps happen
Period pain happens when your womb tightens during your period. You may feel it in your tummy as a sharp pain or a dull ache, starting just before or at the start of your period. It usually lasts for up to 3 days.
Sometimes there’s an underlying cause. The NHS lists endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease as possible causes. That’s why the planner asks whether your pain has changed, and whether you have other symptoms.
What your plan may include
| Step | What to try |
|---|---|
| Heat | A heat pad or hot water bottle on your tummy, or a warm bath or shower |
| Touch | Gently massaging your tummy and back |
| Movement | Gentle exercise such as yoga or walking |
| Painkillers | Paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the instructions on the pack |
| Longer term | Cutting down on alcohol and not smoking may also help |
When home remedies aren’t enough
Pain that’s severe or worse than usual, and that painkillers haven’t helped, needs urgent advice. In the UK, call 111. Elsewhere, contact a local medical helpline or an urgent care service.
See a GP if your periods become more painful, heavier or irregular, if the pain stops you doing daily activities, or if you have pain during sex or when peeing or pooing. A GP can also help with bleeding between periods, a swollen tummy, loss of appetite, or weight loss without trying.
It can help to log your pain in the period tracker for a few cycles. A clear record of when it starts and how long it lasts makes it easier to describe at an appointment.