“Your Period Pain is Normal.”

If you suffer from debilitating period pain, you have almost certainly heard some version of this sentence.

You may have heard it from a well-meaning relative, a friend, or even your own doctor sometimes.

You describe pain that makes you miss work or school, pain that leaves you nauseous and doubled over, and you are told, “That’s normal.”

Let’s be very clear. Debilitating pain is common, but it is not normal. And it is certainly not acceptable.

The word “normal” is one of the most misused and damaging words in women’s health. It is often used as a full stop, a way to end a conversation and invalidate a patient’s experience.

When a provider tells you your life-altering pain is “normal,” they are not giving you a diagnosis. They are giving you a dismissal.

We need a new standard.

The question isn’t, “Is this pain normal?” The question is, “Is this pain interfering with my life?”

If the answer is yes, you deserve an investigation and a treatment plan.

Answering this question creates a clear, undeniable benchmark.

• Does your pain cause you to cancel plans or call in sick?

• Do you vomit, feel faint, or have diarrhea from the intensity of the pain?

• Does over-the-counter medication barely touch the edges of your pain?

• Do you spend days before or during your period living in a state of dread?

If you answered yes to any of these, your pain is significant enough to warrant medical attention.

This isn’t about your pain tolerance or your personal strength. This is about your right to function, to participate in your own life without being sidelined by your cycle every month.

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