Many people experience mild cramping or discomfort during their monthly cycle. For others, the distress grows severe enough to disrupt routine daily tasks and quality of life. Addressing this issue, a digital creator published a video comparing menstrual cramps to a cardiac event.
As per Hindustan Times quoted in their report, she pointed out: “Doctors are now saying that the pain we feel when we experience period cramps is equivalent to the pain we feel when we have a heart attack.”
Dr Kunal Sood, a double board-certified physician specializing in anesthesiology and interventional pain management, shared the clip on Instagram to explain the science behind this claim.
Why Menstrual Cramps Can Feel So Extreme
Dr Sood confirmed that the comparison is accurate. He pointed to research conducted at University College London, which revealed that the “cramping abdominal pain that women feel during their period is just as painful as having a heart attack.”
He explained: “Menstrual pain is due to contraction of the uterus and is broken down into primary or secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary does not have a cause, but secondary does.”
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Understanding Secondary Dysmenorrhea and Conditions Like Endometriosis
Secondary dysmenorrhea stems from underlying health issues. A primary example is endometriosis, a condition where tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. According to the Mayo Clinic, this tissue can spread across the pelvic cavity, wrapping around the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, or bladder. Endometriosis frequently leads to intense pelvic discomfort, unusually heavy periods, and fertility struggles.
The Push for Research and Proper Care
Despite how severe menstrual pain can become, Dr Sood expressed concern over the persistent lack of research and treatment options available to patients.
According to Hindustan Times report, Dr. Sood shares, “Women’s menstrual pain is also often dismissed, without options and research. Also, a study did show that one in four women will have pain so bad that they’ll have to take medications or miss a social activity,” Dr Sood stated.
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Raising awareness around conditions like dysmenorrhea and endometriosis remains critical to ensuring women receive timely care rather than having their pain brushed aside.
FAQS
Can period pain actually feel as severe as a heart attack?
Yes, medical research from University College London indicates that the acute cramping pain caused by uterine contractions during menstruation can reach an intensity level comparable to a heart attack.
What is the difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhea?
Primary dysmenorrhea refers to common period cramps without an underlying organic medical cause. Secondary dysmenorrhea involves severe cramps caused by reproductive system conditions, such as endometriosis or fibroids.
