Is Period Pain Normal?
If you Google "is period pain normal?" the top result will probably say:
"Period pain is common and a normal part of your menstrual cycle."
I would argue: period pain is common, but it's definitely not normal. You shouldn’t just resign yourself to suffering through it every month.
Dysmenorrhoea (Period Pain)
Dysmenorrhoea (also spelled dysmenorrhea in American English) refers to cramping pain that can occur:
Just before your period starts
During bleeding
Or randomly throughout your cycle
Significant or persistent period pain is often a sign of endometriosis and should never be ignored or dismissed as "normal."
Medical Treatment
Many young women are prescribed the contraceptive pill as a first-line treatment for period pain. While this may reduce discomfort, it's not a suitable option for:
Those avoiding synthetic hormone therapies
Or anyone trying to conceive
What Can Help?
The most effective treatment begins by addressing the root cause of the pain.
In Chinese Medicine, period pain is often seen as a sign of stagnation — when Qi and Blood are not flowing freely in the reproductive area. This stagnation = pain.
Easy ways to support flow:
Gentle movement (walking, stretching, light yoga)
Heat therapy (hot water bottle, wheat bag on the abdomen)
Resting when your body signals it needs a break
Emerging Research
A promising natural treatment for period pain is PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) — a fatty acid compound that works on the cannabinoid pathway to reduce pain and inflammation.
PEA acts as an analgesic and has been studied for its effectiveness in managing dysmenorrhoea.
Reference:
Indraccolo, U., & Barbieri, F. (2017). Effect of palmitoylethanolamide on endometriosis pain: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 83(4), 772–781. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13020
You Don’t Have to Suffer
If you’re experiencing period pain — especially if it’s affecting your daily life — please don’t brush it off.
We’d love to support you through natural approaches and integrative care tailored to your body.
