Period Pain: More Than Just Cramps

What types of pain can I have during my menstrual cycle?

Cramping is only one type of pain women can experience during their periods. It all starts with pain producing chemicals called prostaglandins that can affect many areas of your body (to learn more about how prostaglandins cause pain check out this article). Menstrual pain ranges from mild to severe and in many cases can interfere with work, school, and social activities. So to help you better understand your menstrual pain, here are some of the types you may come across:

Menstrual Cramps

• Menstrual cramps are pain in the lower abdominal midline that typically begins with menstrual bleeding and gradually lessens over the next 12-72 hours. This pain can range from dull to throbbing and can radiate to other parts of the body, like your lower back.¹

Menstrual Syndrome or PMS Headaches

• The PMS headache often occurs before your period and can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms that distinguish it from the typical headache. These symptoms include headache pain along with fatigue, acne, joint pain, decreased urination, constipation and lack of coordination.² You may also experience an increase in appetite and a craving for chocolate or salt. 

Backaches

• If you have back pain during your period, know this: you are not alone! In fact, it has been reported that back pain occurs in 60% of women who experience menstrual cramping. This occurs when pain from cramping radiates to other parts of the body³. When that happens your menstrual pain can spread as far as your back, legs, and hips.¹

How do I get period pain relief?

• Period Pains can be tough to manage, that's why it's important to treat pain at its source. The medicine in Advil Film-Coated Tablets, ibuprofen sodium, is a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that targets and reduces the cause of menstrual pain to provide unsurpassed relief of your menstrual cramps*. ^4,5 Advil products (excluding Advil Migraine) can also be used to temporarily relieve many other aches and pains you may experience during your period including back pain, headache, and muscle aches.

*Among OTC single ingredient pain relievers