Period Pain
Period pain or dysmenorrhea occurs during a menstrual period when the endometrium (lining of the uterus/womb) is shed. Periods are an inflammatory process, so mild pain or discomfort in the first few days of your period is normal, with most women reporting some pain.
If the pain lasts longer, is severe and not relieved by taking period pain medication or simple measures like heat and rest, it is not normal. The pain might be a constant dull ache or a shooting pain, felt in the lower tummy, lower back, groin or thighs.
If you suffer from period pain, you’re certainly not alone. Period pain is the most common type of pelvic pain, occurring in 21% of teenage girls.
Sadly, period pain is underreported and often (wrongly) considered just part of life – something we have to accept. Most people put up with it for years, missing out on life and believing there’s nothing that can be done. Left untreated, it can be exhausting, overwhelming and impact many aspects of your life, like school, work, exercise and social activities. You might miss school for a few days every month, find it hard to concentrate, have to cancel plans or be unable to enjoy intimacy.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Fortunately, there’s good news – and you don’t have to live your life this way. Your period pain can be treated, so there’s no need to suffer in silence. Most people experiencing period pain can be helped, and at Pelvic Health Matters, we’re here to help you.
Period pain isn’t something you should just accept. If your pain is severe or stops you from doing things, it’s not normal. But fortunately, help is available.
Common signs & symptoms of period pain
While period pain affects everyone differently, you might recognise some of these common signs and symptoms:
- Severe period pain that interferes with daily activities
- Period pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter period pain medication or simple remedies
- Pain that extends beyond your period
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Pain with or after sex
- Avoiding exercise, socialising or doing things you enjoy due to period pain
Risk factors & causes of period pain
- Prostaglandins causing uterine cramping
- Endometriosis
- Andenomyosis
- Fibroids
- Pelvic infection or inflammatory disease
- Sensitised nervous system
- Tense, tight pelvic floor muscles
- Low back pain
- Other pain conditions, such as IBS or fibromyalgia
Our Proven Pathway for Treating Period Pain
Discover what matters
You’re assessed as a whole person
We begin by taking the time to learn all about you – as a whole person, not just a patient. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will gather the following information:
- QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand about your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
- 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and your period pain. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pelvic health.
- THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This includes an examination of your lumbar spine, pelvic joints, abdominal and pelvic floor, and questionnaires to understand your thoughts, feelings and environment.
- CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you and your period pain, we can explore how it all fits together. Perhaps we might look at what's going on at school and in your friendship group along with your activity level which can all influence your period pain.
- SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals such as:
- Not to miss school, uni or work when I have my period
- Be able to say yes to a movie with friends and know I’ll be able to go
- Enjoy painfree sex
Restore what matters
You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.
Step 2 is where the action happens. Together, we’ll select the most effective, research-proven treatment options that suit your lifestyle. You’ll gain a clear understanding about pain science, how your nervous system and body work together, what might not be functioning well and what you can do to reduce pain.
Next you’ll learn how to interrupt the pain cycle with strategies to calm your nerves, muscles and the connection between your thoughts and emotions. This might include techniques like mindfulness or breathing exercises.
We’ll also begin Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. You’ll develop valuable new skills and connect with hidden muscles that you may not even know you had. Your personalised program will be tailored to your needs, with a focus on learning how to relax your muscles.
And, to support you even more, we’ll give you excellent resources and tools to help you progress. You’ll be armed with all the things!
ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.
Enjoy what matters
You’ll be living your best life.
The final step is ensuring you achieve all the meaningful goals you set at the start of your journey. You might also find that you can embrace new possibilities you hadn’t considered, saying yes to life wherever you are in your menstrual cycle. You’ll have all the valuable skills to ensure pain management in all situations – without running back for appointments all the time.
Sometimes, though, life’s twists and turns can throw things off track, and you might find yourself needing a little reboot. Things like exams, missing out on a work promotion or getting the flu can all make managing pain more difficult. No matter what’s going on, rest assured – we’re always here for you, ready to help whenever you need it.
Read about Brinda 27 yrs, Ava 16 yrs
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Pelvic Health Matters
New name.
Same exceptional care.
Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.
Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au