Menstrual health: Why do periods hurt?

Why do periods hurt? (Photo: iStock)

Having painful periods is a condition called dysmenorrhea. It's normal to have some pain during menstruation with about 60% of people with a uterus having mild cramps during their period and it is estimated that about 5% to 15% of people report period pain that is so severe that it affects their daily activities according to the Cleveland Clinic

According to the National Library of Medicine, the pain is most often menstrual cramps, which are throbbing, cramping pain in your lower abdomen, and also have other symptoms, such as lower back pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and headaches.