Having pain during monthly menstrual cycles is nothing unusual for women. However, facing significant pain which makes daily activities difficult may require evaluation. If you are having more pain than usual, it might be time to find out why.

Women who experience pain during their menstrual cycles have grown accustomed to the monthly cramps. But you may want to consult a doctor if the pain is so severe that it makes regular activities impossible.

Each month, the lining of a woman’s uterus, called the endometrium, builds up and then sheds during her period. If there is endometriosis, that lining grows abnormally outside the uterus and attaches to other parts of the body.

“The result is pain and inflammation, plus scarring and swelling,” says Ali Ghomi, MD, urogynecologist with St. Joseph’s Health. “This situation occurs every month and will only get worse with age.”

Dr. Ghomi outlined several of the most common symptoms of endometriosis:

• Pelvic pain that exists even without a period
• Painful intercourse
• Ovarian cysts which are large and need to be removed
• Severe migraines and lower back pain
• Pain when urinating or moving your bowels
• Bleeding between periods
• Blood in urine or from the rectum

“You don’t have to live with chronic pelvic pain and excessive bleeding,” Dr. Ghomi says. “When over-the-counter medications do not relieve pain, it is time for a professional evaluation for diagnosis and treatment.”

Click here to request an appointment with Dr. Ghomi.