Fact or Myth? Period pain is normal

Myth!

endometriosis.org writes:
“‘Women’s problems’ perplexed nineteenth century doctors, who saw them as indicative of women’s unstable and delicate psychological constitutions. Even though attitudes towards women improved during the twentieth century, some of the old beliefs still linger unconsciously, and affect the medical profession’s attitudes towards women’s complaints, including period pain.

As a result, while seeking help for their period pain, many women with endometriosis are told that their (severe) period pain is ‘normal’, ‘part of being a woman’, or ‘in their head’. Others are told that they have ‘a low pain threshold’, or are ‘psychologically inadequate’.

Many women and girls do experience pain at the time of their period. However, severe pain that interferes with daily life is not normal, and is often due to the presence of an underlying condition, such as endometriosis. Any girl or woman with severe period pain should be investigated to determine the cause of her pain.”

EndoAlert.org writes:
“Pain is not something that should be ignored. Pain is our body’s way of letting us know that something is wrong. Not every woman who menstrates has pain, nor does every woman with endometriosis share the same level of pain or mobility. Pain affects every aspect of life and is one of the biggest factors for endometriosis sufferers when determining their quality of life. There is still a stigma surrounding so-called “female problems” that makes most people unwilling to discuss them or acknowledge the pain of those who suffer with them. This taboo does not make the pain any less real or severe.”

See also Fact or Myth? Endometriosis is all in your head, it’s not that bad…