New Delhi: For decades, women have been taught to accept period pain as inevitable. Menstrual cramps are often dismissed as a routine monthly nuisance, managed silently with painkillers and grit. From a medical standpoint, however, this way of thinking no longer holds up. Painful periods are not a rite of passage. They are the body’s way of signalling that something isn’t quite right.
Dr. Manjula Anagani, Padmashree Awardee, Clinical Director, Robotic Gynaecologist & HOD, Care Vatsalya, Women and Child Institute, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, decoded the difference between normal period pain and alarming inflammation.
What causes period pain in the first place?
Menstrual cramps occur when the uterus contracts to shed its lining. These contractions are driven by prostaglandins—chemical messengers linked to inflammation. When prostaglandin levels are balanced, cramps are mild and manageable. When levels rise sharply, contractions become stronger, blood flow reduces temporarily, and pain intensifies. In short, severe cramps are rarely random. They usually indicate an inflammatory response that deserves attention.
When pain should not be ignored
One of the biggest challenges in women’s health is that many patients don’t know when pain crosses the line. Period pain needs evaluation when it:
- Interferes with daily activities or work
- Requires repeated doses of pain medication
- Comes with nausea, vomiting, or bowel disturbances
- Worsens over time instead of improving
These patterns suggest that the body is under stress, not that a woman is “weak” or “overreacting.”
Inflammation has many triggers
Inflammation during menstruation is influenced by more than just the uterus. Lifestyle factors play a significant role. Common contributors include:
- Chronic stress and poor sleep
- Diets high in refined or ultra-processed foods
- Sedentary routines
- Hormonal imbalances
In certain women, conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or polycystic ovary syndrome can heighten inflammation, causing menstrual pain to become stronger over time.
Why painkillers alone aren’t enough
Pain medication works by blocking prostaglandins, which is why it brings relief. But this approach treats the symptom, not the source. When painkillers become the only monthly strategy, they may delay diagnosis of conditions that are entirely manageable if caught early. Relief is important—but understanding why pain occurs is just as critical.
What listening to period pain really means
Addressing cramps effectively starts with paying attention. A medical evaluation may include:
- Tracking pain patterns across cycles
- Reviewing lifestyle, stress, and sleep habits
- Hormonal assessments when needed
- Imaging studies to determine if warning signs are present
Treatment plans vary by person and may include lifestyle changes, nutritional support, hormonal regulation, or targeted medical therapy.
Everyday habits that reduce inflammatory load
For many women, meaningful relief often begins with small, everyday changes—getting regular sleep, adding gentle movement such as walking or yoga, cutting back on heavily processed foods, and building simple routines that help manage daily stress. These steps support hormonal balance and reduce the body’s inflammatory burden over time.
Changing the narrative around periods
The belief that pain is simply part of being a woman has kept many from seeking care. Girls grow up hearing that discomfort is something to be endured, which often replaces awareness with silence. Period pain is not destiny. It is communication.
A more informed approach
Menstruation doesn’t need to be pain-free to be healthy—but it should never be disabling. When cramps are persistent, severe, or worsening, they deserve medical attention. Understanding period pain as a sign of inflammation rather than fate allows women to reclaim agency over their health. Listening to the body isn’t weakness—it’s preventive care.
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