Why do periods hurt?
Before and during your period, the uterine lining releases prostaglandins. They make the uterine muscle contract and narrow its blood vessels, so the muscle gets less oxygen. Higher prostaglandin levels are linked to more painful periods.
What if painkillers barely touch the pain?
Anti-inflammatory pain relievers work by lowering prostaglandins, and they help many people. If they don't, it's worth asking about conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis.
Heavy periods, normal blood count, still tired?
A complete blood count checks hemoglobin, the iron already in your red blood cells. Ferritin reflects your iron stores. With heavy periods, stores can run low while hemoglobin is still normal, a state called iron deficiency without anemia.
Can food help?
Omega-3 fats from wild salmon and sardines are the best-studied food change for period pain, though the trials are small. Our Better Periods guide lays out the foods and loose-leaf teas we use through the cycle.
Questions to bring to your doctor
Each of our videos ends with questions like these. Write them on your Prep Pack or tracker and take them with you.
- Could my ferritin be checked, not just my blood count?
- If pain relievers don't help much, should we look for endometriosis or adenomyosis?
Sources
- ACOG: Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- ACOG: Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Iron deficiency without anemia in heavy menstrual bleeding (research overview)
Each video description lists the full studies behind that episode.
This page is education, not medical advice. It doesn’t diagnose or treat any condition. Talk to your doctor before changing your care, and never stop or change a medication on your own.
