Painful Menstrual Cramps

Heavy menstrual flow or worsening cramps may be caused by a common type of benign growth in your uterus known as a fibroid. A diagnosis of fibroids is something that your doctor may consider if your symptoms are new for you, persistent, and accompanied by a change in the length of your period or the heaviness of your menstrual flow, particularly if you are older than 30.

About 30 percent of women eventually get fibroids. Some women are more likely top get fibroids, including black women, women who have never been pregnant and women who have a mother or sister with fibroids. Contact your health care provider to discuss your symptoms or arrange to be seen by your gynecologist. If you have a fibroid, your diagnosis can usually be made by a pelvic ultrasound. Sometimes fibroids are removed by surgery or treated with medication so that symptoms of cramping and heavy menstrual flow can be lessened.

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