5 signs your period pain may not be normal

By , August 19, 2026

For many women, the arrival of a period comes with an unwritten agreement: a few cramps, perhaps some back pain, a little moodiness, then life carries on. You take a painkiller, curl up with a hot water bottle and hope your uterus gets the memo that you have things to do.

But what happens when the pain is so severe that you cannot get out of bed, attend work, sit through class or enjoy a normal day?

That question has become especially relevant in Kenya following media personality Natalie Githinji’s very public battle with endometriosis. Githinji has spoken openly about living with the condition and has recently undergone surgery following a severe flare-up, bringing renewed attention to a disease that many women quietly live with.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scar tissue. The World Health Organisation estimates that it affects about 10 per cent, or 190 million, women and girls of reproductive age globally.

The problem is that severe period pain is often treated as part of being a woman. Kenyan women who have lived with endometriosis have described having their pain dismissed as normal cramps or being told they were exaggerating. A study involving Kenyan women found that stigma, limited awareness and difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare contributed to long journeys towards diagnosis and treatment.

So, how do you know when period pain deserves more than a hot water bottle and a prayer?

The pain stops you from living your life

    Period pain can be uncomfortable, but it should not routinely bring your entire life to a standstill.

    If you regularly miss work, school, social events or important commitments because your period has arrived, it is worth speaking to a healthcare professional. The same applies if you spend the first few days of every cycle curled up in bed, unable to walk comfortably or perform ordinary tasks.

    The WHO lists severe menstrual pain among the common symptoms associated with endometriosis.

    There is a difference between saying, “My period is uncomfortable today,” and saying, “I cannot function when I am on my period.” The second deserves attention.

    Your pain goes beyond your period

      One of the easiest things to overlook is pelvic pain that does not politely leave when your period ends.

      Endometriosis can cause chronic pelvic pain, meaning the discomfort may continue beyond menstruation. Some women experience pain around ovulation or at different points during their menstrual cycle.

      If your calendar is beginning to look like a map of pain, with only a handful of comfortable days each month, do not simply assume that this is your normal.

      Keeping a simple record of when the pain starts, how long it lasts and how severe it becomes can also help when discussing your symptoms with a doctor.

      You experience pain when using the bathroom or during sex

        Pain during bowel movements or urination, particularly around your period, is another symptom that should not be casually dismissed.

        Some women also experience pain during sexual intercourse. Because conversations about sex and reproductive health can still be uncomfortable in many families and relationships, this symptom may remain hidden for years.

        Nothing is embarrassing about telling a healthcare professional that something hurts. Your body is not supposed to win an award for suffering quietly.

        The WHO recognises that endometriosis can affect sexual intercourse, bowel movements and urination.

        Your periods are extremely heavy

          Heavy bleeding is another reason to pay attention.

          Some women have always been told that having a very heavy period is simply their family tradition, as though excessive bleeding is passed down with the family recipe book. But unusually heavy menstrual bleeding can affect your quality of life and may contribute to iron deficiency anaemia.

          It becomes particularly important when heavy bleeding happens alongside severe pain, chronic pelvic pain, fatigue or other symptoms.

          The WHO notes that heavy menstrual bleeding can occur with endometriosis and that heavy menstrual bleeding more generally can contribute to iron deficiency anaemia.

          The pain comes with other unexplained symptoms

            Endometriosis does not always announce itself with dramatic cramps.

            Some people experience bloating, nausea, fatigue, infertility or other symptoms alongside pelvic pain. The condition can affect different parts of the body, and symptoms vary considerably from one person to another.

            This is one reason self-diagnosis can be tricky. Having painful periods does not automatically mean you have endometriosis, and not every woman with endometriosis experiences the same symptoms.

            What matters is recognising patterns and getting proper medical advice when something feels consistently wrong.

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