For as long as I can remember, I was told that cramps were just part of the deal. "Take an ibuprofen and push through it." "It's normal." "Every woman goes through this." And so I did — for years. I curled up on bathroom floors, missed days of work, and quietly accepted that this was simply what having a body meant.
It wasn't until I was 28 that a doctor finally said the words no one had ever said to me before: "This level of pain is not normal."
What "normal" cramps actually look like
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, mild cramping during menstruation is common. But there's a significant difference between mild discomfort and the kind of pain that leaves you unable to function. Here's what falls within the expected range:
- A dull, throbbing sensation in the lower abdomen
- Mild discomfort that responds to over-the-counter pain relief
- Cramping that lasts 1–3 days and doesn't prevent daily activities
If your pain goes beyond this — if you're vomiting, fainting, missing work or school regularly, or if standard pain medication barely touches it — that's your body telling you something more is going on.
The conditions no one screens for
Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet the average diagnosis takes 7 to 10 years. Adenomyosis, fibroids, and PCOS are similarly under-discussed and under-diagnosed.
What you can do right now
Start tracking. Not just your period dates, but your symptoms — pain levels, location, duration, what helps and what doesn't. When you bring data to your doctor, you shift the conversation from subjective to clinical.
Second, advocate for yourself. If your doctor dismisses your pain, you are allowed to push back. You are allowed to ask for an ultrasound, a referral to a specialist, or a second opinion.
The bottom line
Your cramps are not a character test. They're not something to "push through" indefinitely. You deserve answers. And you deserve a doctor who listens.