Woman Holding Coffee

Severe Menstrual Cramps: A Sign of Uterine Fibroids

Women of all ages are familiar with menstrual cramps – they make your period more difficult and can even interfere with daily activities and your ability to function at school or work. Menstrual cramps often center on the lower abdomen and can radiate to the lower back and inner thighs. Cramps can last up to three days, or longer,  and may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and fatigue. 

In some cases, though, cramps are far worse than those that normally occur before and during menstruation. Severe menstrual cramps tend to begin earlier and last longer than typical cramps. If you regularly experience severe menstrual cramps, you may have uterine fibroids.

Symptoms of Severe Menstrual Cramps

You may be wondering how to tell the difference between severe menstrual cramps and “normal” menstrual cramps. Although cramps are never pleasant, severe menstrual cramps have a few properties that set them apart. You may have severe menstrual cramps if you experience the following around the time of your period:

  • Pain that does not improve with over-the-counter medication
  • Pain that interferes with your daily activities
  • Pain that is often accompanied by heavy bleeding or clotting
  • Pain that causes nausea or vomiting

Causes of Severe Menstrual Cramps

During your period, contractions of the uterus are triggered by prostaglandins. Those with higher levels of prostaglandins are more likely to experience severe cramps. As the uterus contracts, it can press against nearby blood vessels and cut off the supply of oxygen to muscle tissue. Severe menstrual cramps can be caused by several medical conditions, including:

  • Uterine fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Cervical stenosis
  • Adenomyosis
Consultation for Fibroid Pain
Request A Consultation

Find out if you are at risk for Uterine Fibroids. 

How Do Uterine Fibroids Cause Severe Menstrual Cramps?

Cramps occur as a byproduct of the menstrual cycle, but the presence of fibroids can make cramps more severe. There are two main reasons why fibroids cause severe menstrual cramps. Fibroids often cause heavier than normal bleeding, which can be accompanied by blood clots. Blood can spill backwards (retrograde menstruation) from the uterine cavity through your fallopian tubes into the inside lining of the belly, the peritoneal cavity. Blood is very irritating to the insides, causing severe pain. Research suggests that retrograde menstruation is extremely common women and should probably be considered a normal aspect of menstrual function. In general, heavier bleeding is associated with more intense pain, and heavy bleeding is a hallmark symptom of uterine fibroids.

In the case of larger fibroids, pain can occur when fibroids press against adjacent pelvic nerves and organs. This causes increased cramping and pressure that can spread throughout the abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs.

Woman Stomach Pain on Couch

Menstrual Cramp Relief

If you experience severe menstrual cramps on a regular basis, be sure to visit your doctor. They will be able to help determine the cause and choose a treatment plan that is best suited for you. It can be difficult to treat severe menstrual cramps at home, but there are a few methods you can try. Severe menstrual cramps caused by uterine fibroids can be treated with a minimally invasive procedure like Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).

Lifestyle Changes & Medications

Severe menstrual cramps are more difficult to treat than typical menstrual cramps. Some methods that are often suggested to manage cramps include regular exercise throughout each month (especially aerobic exercise), heating pads, stress management, and certain supplements. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are often used for cramps but are not as effective when cramps are severe.

UFE Procedure: Minimally Invasive Fibroid Treatment

If uterine fibroids are the cause of your severe menstrual cramps, a minimally invasive-image guided procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization may be the best next step for you. During UFE, a small incision is made in the groin or wrist. From there, a thin catheter is inserted into the artery that provides blood to the fibroids. Tiny particles are injected to block blood flow, leading to the shrinkage and death of the fibroids. UFE is a beneficial treatment option as it has a lower risk of complications and a faster recovery time than major surgery.

Background Image Gray

What to Expect from UFE

Icon Checkmark
Reduction of uterine fibroid symptoms
Icon Checkmark
Improvement in emotional and physical well-being
Icon Checkmark
Less invasive process
Icon Checkmark
Lower risk of complications
Icon Checkmark
Shorter recovery time
Request A Consultation

Request a consultation at your nearest American Fibroid affiliated center.

Our Fibroid Specialists

American Fibroid Centers offers patients access to expertise and care from a team of physicians that truly cares about you. Our board-certified specialists are among the nation’s most experienced at treating women with uterine fibroids, and we will work with you to determine the most suitable treatment plan.

Our Fibroid Centers in NY & NJ

Patients in New York and New Jersey have convenient access to comprehensive fibroid care at American Fibroid Centers. Most of our facilities are accredited by the Joint Commission and staffed with a team of highly-trained physicians. We encourage you to find compassionate treatment for your uterine fibroids at one of our fibroid centers in NY or NJ.

Brooklyn, NY
71, Carroll Street, New York, 11231
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location
Queens, NY
28-18, 31st Street, New York, 11102
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location
Fishkill, NY
60, Merritt Boulevard, Fishkill, New York, 12524
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location
Harlem, NY
505, East 116th Street, New York, New York, 10029
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location
West Orange, NJ
347, Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey, 07052
(833) 833-3973
Visit Location

What Our Patients Are Saying

Learn more about our patients’ experiences at American Fibroid Centers.

You really need to identify who you are when texting.
Lt P
Lt P
17:01 21 Jun 23
Very professional and informative
Kieran McDonald
Kieran McDonald
21:48 12 Jun 23
Dr. Abadir and his staff are wonderful.
debdefran
debdefran
21:28 03 May 23
Wonderful staff very kind very thorough no waiting♥️. I’ve never been to a doctors office and treated with so much respect.. I’m looking forward to my next appointment 😇
Denise Sciarra
Denise Sciarra
16:16 17 Mar 23
The staff could not have been friendlier! I was treated so well and my procedure was a huge success!
Darcy Sala
Darcy Sala
14:44 28 Feb 23
Very friendly and hard working people. Excellent doctor and team!!!Thanks for being so helpful and encouraging!
finda jackson
finda jackson
13:37 03 Feb 23
Great experience very through staff are extremely helpful and friendly no wait time I highly recommend.
william cardoza
william cardoza
15:05 12 Sep 22
A doctor who listens, smart and personable, I liked him.
sherry svec
sherry svec
21:38 16 May 22
Went there for the first time didn’t have to fill out paperwork which constantly asked the same question. Nurses were friendly didn’t have to come back a second time to have test done did it rite then, doctor explain everything set up appointment to have procedure done and I’m very confident in the doctor
GARY DINI
GARY DINI
12:23 25 Jan 22
Excellent service. Dr. Abadir and staff were attentive and thoughtful. All communication regarding my visit were clear and concise and they took the time to listen and address all of my questions. Great visit!
dennis bernstein
dennis bernstein
14:50 21 Jan 22
I thank you very much you took good care I feel great I am very happy with you and I will be back .
Maleta Ford
Maleta Ford
14:24 02 Sep 21
Super friendly and communicative. Efficient staff in the office. A unique experience for a doctors office. Dr Abadir was concise and effective in his exam and explanations
William Silsdorf
William Silsdorf
19:56 07 Jun 21
I found the staff Extremely cordial and professional. Dr. Abidir took his time and explained what procedures needed to be doneAnd why he recommended them to establish a diagnosis.Dr. Abidir was reassuring and listened to and answered all of my questions.So far I am very pleased with the endo vascularProgram here.Clare Garvey
Clare Garvey
Clare Garvey
20:39 17 May 21
Pleased with staff and doctor is very compassionate
Jose Quinones
Jose Quinones
23:57 15 Mar 21
Thank you to you and your great staff.Bill Baratta
Rita Baratta
Rita Baratta
15:07 26 Jan 21
js_loader

From the Experts

Get to know more about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and care of Uterine Fibroids.

Why Are My Uterine Fibroids Growing
Request A Consultation

Request a consultation at your nearest American Fibroid affiliated center.