Most women often experience pelvic pain or cramps right before and/or during their menstrual periods. This is a very common and normal symptom associated with menstruation, which generally subsides as menstrual bleeding tapers off.

The medical term for pelvic pain that occurs during menstruation is dysmenorrhea. However, physicians mainly use the term to refer to severe menstrual cramps that interfere with daily activities, which are caused by an underlying condition or disease.

In addition to the sharp pains in the lower abdomen, women often experience other symptoms associated with menstruation, including:

• Swollen or sore breasts
• Lower back or leg pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or incontinence
• PMS-related symptoms (e.g., bloating, weight gain, acne)

Menstrual cramps are caused by prolonged, intense uterine contractions that occur during menstruation. Prostaglandins (hormone-like substances) produced in the endometrium at the time of menses are a major cause of these often painful contractions.

Women are more likely to experience severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) if they have any of the following:

• Early onset of puberty 
• A family history of painful menstrual periods
• Prolonged menstrual periods
• Obesity
• Stress and anxiety

In addition, a number of conditions may cause a woman to experience dysmenorrhea, such as:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Uterine fibroids and/or polyps

For women experiencing dysmenorrhea due to any of these conditions, medical treatment for the underlying cause can help to alleviate the cramps. If a woman has an intrauterine device (IUD), removal of the birth control device may be necessary and she may need to consider another method of birth control.

For most menstrual cramps, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can reduce pain and discomfort. There are also pain medications specifically designed for menstrual cramps and discomfort. If NSAIDs or other OTC medications are not successful in treating menstrual pain, a physician may prescribe low-dose birth control pills to prevent ovulation. This may reduce the production of prostaglandins and therefore the severity of the cramps.

Women can also soothe their cramps by soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad on the abdomen. The heat helps to increase blood flow, which in turn will reduce muscle spasms. In addition, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest and reducing and/or eliminating alcohol and cigarette smoking may help alleviate menstrual cramps.