Why Period Pain Isn’t Always Just “Part of Being a Woman”
For many menstruating people, pain is a monthly reality; but when it becomes debilitating, escalating, or unresponsive to typical care, it’s often something more than “just cramps.”
This deeper, more persistent pain has a name:
Secondary dysmenorrhea.
What Is Secondary Dysmenorrhea?
While primary dysmenorrhea refers to menstrual cramps not caused by another condition, secondary dysmenorrhea means the pain is a symptom of something else going on in the body.
It’s often linked to structural or inflammatory conditions like:
Endometriosis – tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and paint.
Fibroids – non-cancerous growths in or on the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding and intense cramping.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular or absent periods, painful ovulation, and chronic pelvic discomfort due to inflammation, thickened endometrial lining, or hormonal imbalance.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – a bacterial infection of the reproductive organs that can lead to scarring and chronic pelvic pain.
How Common Is It?
These conditions are more widespread than many realize:
Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women — yet many go years before receiving a diagnosis.
Fibroids occur in up to 70–80% of women by age 50, though not all cause symptoms.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, but many go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, especially when not presenting with textbook symptoms.
PID affects over 1 million women in the U.S. annually and can cause lifelong impacts if untreated.
Despite these numbers, many people are told their pain is normal — or worse, imagined.
The Diagnostic Delay
One of the most painful parts of secondary dysmenorrhea? The delay in diagnosis.
It can take 7–10 years to diagnose endometriosis.
Fibroids are often discovered only after fertility challenges or persistent symptoms.
PCOS is frequently overlooked, especially in those who don’t fit the stereotypical profile — many are misdiagnosed or told their symptoms are “just stress” or “lifestyle-related.”
PID symptoms may be dismissed or misdiagnosed, leading to irreversible reproductive damage.
In part, this is due to a lack of awareness in both patients and providers. But it’s also due to a cultural norm: tough it out, push through, stay silent.
The Wellness Trap
Many who don’t find answers in clinical spaces turn to the wellness world — and while self-care can be powerful, there’s also a dark side:
Over-promising supplements, diets, or cleanses
Shaming language that suggests pain is your fault for not being “positive enough” or not setting strong enough boundaries.
An emphasis on “fixing” your womb rather than understanding it
This kind of messaging can leave people feeling isolated, broken, or exploited, especially when they’re just looking for relief.
Reclaiming Power Through Knowledge
Here’s the truth:
Your pain is real. And you are not broken.
Secondary dysmenorrhea isn’t a personal failure — it’s a medical reality that deserves care and attention. And while full healing isn’t always linear, understanding what’s happening in your body can offer a new level of empowerment.
You can:
Learn to recognize patterns and triggers
Seek care from providers who specialize in pelvic health
Support your body through evidence-based self-care practices
Build a relationship with your cycle that includes listening, not just managing
Pain is a messenger, not a punishment. If your period pain feels bigger than it should, you’re not making it up, and you’re not alone.
You have a right to answers.
You have a right to support.
And you have a right to reclaim your body, one breath and one insight at a time.