7 Reasons You Have Horrible Periods

Are your periods so horrible that you find yourself in so much pain & all you can do is curl up in bed with a hot water bottle? Do you also deal with additional uncomfortable symptoms like PMS, bloating, fatigue, nausea & hot flashes? Ugh! I know the feeling! 

Are you wondering if your period experience is normal or if there’s anything natural you can do to fix it? You’ve definitely come to the right place!

It’s uncomfortable (to say the least) to have to go through the same gut-wrenching, sweat-inducing pain each & every month. The good news is that there is actually a way out! A natural way at that, which doesn’t require medication or surgery.

Too many women are under the impression that period pain is normal, a natural part of female physiology. However, this couldn’t be any farther from the truth. What if I told you that you DON’T actually have to bear through so much pain each & every month? What if I told you that you CAN overcome your period pain naturally? Let’s find out!


Is it normal to experience period pain?
Technically, no. Although period pain may be fairly common, it is definitely not normal. It is actually a sign of imbalance within the body. Depending upon the severity & cause of your menstrual pain, you can likely control it all on your own.

There are 2 main types of period pain, technically known as Dysmenorrhea. There’s Primary Dysmenorrhea and Secondary Dysmenorrhea. 

Primary Dysmenorrhea is the most common form of menstrual pain. It usually occurs in girls & women during their prime reproductive years (from onset of menses - perimenopause). It occurs due to uncomfortable contractions of the uterus muscle - similar to birthing contractions (some women’s period pain may even be comparable!) - which help to shed the built-up blood of the uterine lining. Accompanying intense period cramps may also be heavy bleeding, the appearance of clots as well as digestive disturbances (i.e diarhhea, gas, nausea, bloating, etc.). Primary Dysmenorrhea can be triggered by various internal imbalances in the body, however, they are primarily brought on from increased levels of inflammation & prostaglandins (more on this below). Primary Dysmenorrhea is hereditary for some, but for many, it can be triggered by an accumulation of systemic imbalances. Thankfully, it is possible for this form of dysmenorrhea to be corrected by establishing balance back to the body through making simple dietary & lifestyle adjustments.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea is a form of extreme menstrual pain triggered by situations other than extraneous contractions of the womb. For example, in cases of pelvic infections, endometriosis, fibroids or cysts. In these situations, there may be an underlying infection or abnormal tissue growth occurring either inside or outside of the uterus (i.e on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, urethra, intestines, etc.). These cases are also quite common in women experiencing extreme menstrual pain, but they are usually incredibly painful to the point where the pain is debilitating and it is often accompanied by additional & differentiated symptoms (as indicated below in the ‘When you May Need to See a Doctor’ section)

Statics show that on average, around 80% of women experience period pain at some point within in their reproductive lifetime. Many women opt to take over-the-counter medications or hormonal birth control to manage their symptoms. Although effective, these forms of treatment are not correcting the underlying issues or imbalances at hand. They only suppress the causation of menstrual pain which may lead to further, more complicated issues into the future if not corrected.

Although menstruation is a normal, inevitable part of being female, period pain doesn’t have to be a part of the deal. There are many natural & effective ways to support menstrual & reproductive health without the use of medications or birth control. Please know that you have the right to be fully informed & to understand your options before deciding which type of management or treatment plan you want to use.
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What should a normal period feel like?
A normal, healthy period should not be extremely painful. There may be minimal discomfort at most, but nothing too unbearable. If we were to rate the pain from 1-10, 10 being womb-stabbing, gut-wrenching pain, we would rate the normal level at about a 1 or 2. Uterine contractions are a healthy and vital part of menstruation. These contractions may induce slight discomfort, but it should never make you feel like you can’t function normally. In addition, healthy menstrual discomfort should not be accompanied with other bodily symptoms like extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea, bloating, etc. 

In the book ‘Her Blood is Gold’ by Lara Owen, she writes “Menstrual Pain has several functions; one of the most obvious is that it shifts our attention to our bodies. It deepens our experience of our bodies and awakens the ability to be aware of the different parts of the body and of bodily sensations. ….. Menstrual symptoms pull us back in touch with ourselves.” 

I love her writing because she has a beautiful way of painting the pure magic & feminine aspects of menstruation. Periods are meant to be slightly uncomfortable because they are a reminder for us us slow down & tune in with ourselves. When we ignore what our body is needing in the moment, especially during menstruation, it can lead to our symptoms intensifying. 

If you are experiencing extreme cramping, it’s very important that you figure out the root cause of your troubles. Listed below are 8 potential reasons (or triggers) why you experience horrible period pain. I encourage you to reflect upon the options and where you can adjust your lifestyle to best support your reproductive health. You may also consider finding a qualified health professional to help you overcome these areas of imbalance. If you’re interested in working with me as your reproductive health coach, guide & mentor, click here to learn more.

8 Potential Reasons Why You Have Horrible Periods:

1. You’re inflamed
   As mentioned above, one of the main instigators of primary dysmenorrhea is systemic inflammation and an increase of prostaglandins - hormone-like fatty acids that serve to either modulate or promote inflammation in the body.
   
   Prostaglandins, when in balance, stimulate smooth muscle relaxation & mild contracting to help shed the uterine lining during menses. However, if there are elevated prostaglandins, usually due to excess inflammation, it can lead to intensified cramping as well as bowel disturbances (because prostaglandins can have similar effects on the smooth muscle of the  intestines).
   
   Unfavorable dietary & lifestyle factors can contribute to the over-production of prostaglandins in the body which can lead to excessive uterine contractions eventually resulting in your painful period cramps. To modulate prostaglandin production so that it’s kept in check throughout your cycle, support your body’s inflammation levels through avoiding processed foods, sugar & refined vegetable oils and by consuming a nutrient-dense diet that is supportive of your overall health & reproductive function. There are various supplements you can consider taking to help support a healthy inflammation response in your body (as indicated in the “Supplements You May Consider” section below)
   
   
2. You’re deficient in vital nutrients
   As mentioned above, an unfavorable diet (i.e the Standard American Diet) can lead to excess inflammation & prostaglandin production in your body. Not only that but a diet full of processed foods, sugar & refined carbohydrates can set you up for numerous nutrient deficiencies. A poor diet can rob you of vital nutrients like B vitamins, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, Selenium & Essential Fatty Acids. All of these nutrients are critical for healthy endocrine system function, facilitating ovulation, balancing inflammation & supporting gut health.
   
   For example, Magnesium is a critical mineral that promotes a healthy menstrual cycle. According to one study, “Reductions in magnesium levels increase synaptic transmission, resulting in myometric muscle contractions and, consequently, dysmenorrhea. Foods containing the high levels of magnesium can reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea through reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins and spasticity of small muscles and vessels.”
   
   The solution is simple, eat a healthy, nutrient-dense diet! Choose foods that are organic, naturally-raised and unprocessed in their whole-food form. Avoid processed foods and refined vegetable oils (i.e canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, etc.) as these types of oils are very unstable and can lead to an accumulation of inflammation and stress on the body which will greatly increase prostaglandin levels.
   
   
3. You’re severely dehydrated
   Water is an essential part of life. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than consumed. Dehydration can restrict blood flow & increase inflammation levels in the body. Although you may know to drink more water when outside in the hot sun or while exercising, you may not know that menstruation actually calls for an increase of hydration as well!
   
   Hormone fluctuations at the beginning of the cycle can lead to water retention. When your body is retaining water, it isn’t allowing the water to access the blood stream as easily, instead it is ‘holding on’ to it in the surrounding tissues which results in bloating, fatigue & brain fog.
   
   Ensuring you stay hydrated before & during your period can help to reduce the water retention & support a healthier period outcome. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day (i.e a 160lb woman would drink 80oz of water daily). Keep in mind that consumption of diuretics (coffee, tea, fruit juice, alcohol & some medication) will increase your water requirements.
   
   
4. You’re pushing yourself too much
   As mentioned above, the period is meant to be time of relaxation & tuning in to your body. It's a time to turn into your feminine, let go & allow for rest. Oftentimes, that’s exactly what we need. I don't know about you, but I can't stand seeing those commercials for conventional feminine products on TV demonstrating women jumping up & down, playing sports & being super active all while on their period. It puts off the illusion that we should be performing on our period just like it’s any other day. Although some may feel more active while they’re bleeding (if that’s you, go for it!), most of us tend to feel more reclusive, reflective & sleepy. This is perfectly normal, and highly encouraged! Exerting yourself too much, pushing to meet the deadlines when you know you need rest puts you into your masculine, which is counter intuitive. So if you find that exerting yourself too much while on your period feels uncomfortable or intensifies your experience, don’t be afraid to let yourself rest. This is a time that your body is calling you in for relaxation, sensuality & creativity. Don’t worry about all the little things that need to be done, or falling off your exercise regimen… honor your body & what she’s needing from you in the moment. You deserve it.
   
   
5. You use toxic menstrual care products
   Conventional menstrual care products like pads & tampons that you can find at any convenience store are often laden with toxic chemicals, artificial fragrances, antibiotic components, pesticides & plastics.
   
   Your vaginal canal is about as absorptive as the inside of your mouth. Introducing products laden with these chemicals only exacerbates the inflammation & toxic load onto your body which can result in the experience of painful menstrual cramps.
   
   Try switching from tampons to 100% organic cotton pads or a reusable silicone menstrual cup instead. Allow the blood to flow out of your body instead of being reabsorbed through a toxic tampon. If you love tampons, just make sure to choose 100% organic cotton ones and you’re good to go!
   
   
6. You have a hormone imbalance
   For many women, painful periods can be a symptom of hormone imbalance like estrogen dominance. Click here to read more about estrogen dominance and how to fix it.
   
   Supporting hormone balance is a necessary part of optimizing your reproductive health & menstrual cycle experience. There are many natural ways & approaches for doing so, many of which are outlined above. If you are concerned about the state of your hormones and are interested in a professional opinion & support, click here to book a free discovery call with me.
   
   
7. You have endometriosis or abnormal growths
   Finally, if you experience extremely intense period cramps and/or pelvic pain outside of your period window, that even an intense round of pain killers can’t help…you may consider having a visit with your doctor to rule out more serious cases like endometriosis, fibroids, polyps or cysts. For many, if these conditions are diagnosed early on, they can be very manageable. Better be safe than sorry if you truly are worried! Keep in mind that in some cases, symptoms from endometriosis or abnormal growths can be symptomless. Many women may not even know they have these issues until they find troubles with conceiving. If you are at all concerned, I highly recommend having a discussion with your doctor. 

What you can do to help support a healthy period:

1. Eat a nutrient-dense diet & avoid processed & inflammatory foods like sugar, refined carbohydrates & industrial grade seed oils (aka vegetable oils).
2. Drink enough water - stay hydrated!
3. Slow down, allow yourself to relax when you need it, tune into your feminine.
4. Manage your stress appropriately - ask for support when needed.
5. Decrease your exercise intensity - excessive exercise without rest can result in increased levels of inflammation & oxidative stress. Slow down, focus on weighted work outs, walking, yoga & light-movements, especially during your period.
6. Choose 100% organic or reusable menstrual products. 
7. Work with a qualified health professional (like me!) to help you get to the root of your cycle symptoms & find a plan that suits your goals & lifestyle.

Supplements you may consider:

• Turmeric: this ancient root has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that can help balance inflammation & modulate prostaglandin production.
• Red Raspberry Leaf: this gentle herb helps to tone the uterus and ease cramping in the worst of moments. 
• Magnesium: This mother mineral has a wonderful way of supporting all bodily processes. It also helps to modulate inflammation, supports a calm central nervous system & can help support occasional cramping.
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids from Fish Oil:  Omega 3’s are essential fatty acids primarily found in fish and some nuts/seeds. I recommend taking a high-quality fish oil daily to support a healthy inflammation response within the body.

When you may need to see a doctor: 

1. Abnormal bleeding patterns (bleeding seen outside of the period window - other than typical spotting).
2. Period pain that last 3+ days and/or frequently appearing clots that are larger than a quarter.
3. Heat therapy and/or movement exacerbates your pain.
4. Pain isn’t relieved by high-dose pain medications.
5. You experience severe pelvic pain in-between your normal periods.
6. Extreme gastrointestinal issues accompanied with your period.
7. Extreme dizziness, nausea, vomiting or loss of consciousness associated with your period.

Disclaimer: Please know that all information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or  professional advice from your qualified health care professional. 

Article sources available upon request