“It’s just your period”: How healthcare systems invalidate menstrual pain

Healthcare systems have trivialised menstrual pain for decades, treating it as more of an inconvenience than a genuine medical issue. In her article in Medical Humanities, Jada Wiggleton-Little notes that painful periods also referred to as dysmenorrhea, are frequently presented as ‘natural’ and therefore not deserving of concern or inquiry.

Individuals are discouraged from seeking help as a result of this normalisation. Given that almost half of the population experiences menstruation at some point in their lives, mainstream medicine has rarely taken the pain it causes seriously.

“I kept telling the doctors that something felt off and that the cramps weren’t normal. They either gave me painkillers or birth control and told me to come back if it got worse. It took 9 years before someone finally said it could be endometriosis,” shares 25-year-old Sarah V. John.

Endometriosis, fibroids, and adenomyosis constitute some of the conditions that are commonly overlooked because menstruators are frequently told that pain is ‘normal’.

Iatrogenic harm, or harm brought on by medical negligence, can result from ignoring menstrual pain, according to the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics. According to research referenced in the journal, endometriosis can take as long as seven to twelve years to diagnose.

The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) claims that because of ingrained cultural messages that suggest extreme pain is something to ‘tough out’, countless individuals live with undiagnosed gynaecological conditions.

In addition to causing physical discomfort, menstrual pain interferes with relationships, work, education, sleep, and mental health. According to a 2022 study published in BMC Women's Health, many people who menstruate miss work or school on a monthly basis, but they hardly ever feel encouraged to do so.

Despite crippling symptoms, many feel pressured to persevere due to the fear of coming across as dramatic or undependable. The emotional toll is high: for young menstruators who are still learning how to advocate for themselves, chronic pain that lacks a clear diagnosis can exacerbate social isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Inadequacy in research

Research on menstrual health is still severely inadequate. Funding and data collection on menstrual disorders, particularly those that impact marginalised communities, is conspicuously lacking, as stated in SAGE Women's Health.

The focus of medical research remains on cisgender male bodies, resulting in knowledge gaps that disproportionately affect menstruating individuals. Despite its fundamental role in reproductive and general health, organisations such as The Period Purse also draw attention to the fact that menstruation is rarely included in public health priorities.

Medical dismissal is reinforced by the silence surrounding menstruation. Menstruators are taught, both explicitly and implicitly, to conceal their discomfort from the beginning of adolescence.

Even in clinical settings, this stigma is widespread and enduring, preventing candid discussion. According to the AMA Journal of Ethics, these cultural norms deter people from sharing unpleasant symptoms, particularly if they have already been discounted. According to an article by The Period Purse, shame-based messaging and systemic patriarchy are to blame for the normalisation of suffering. Such messages are particularly damaging for gender-diverse individuals who already feel excluded from popular reproductive narratives.

Disparities in menstrual healthcare are especially noticeable where socio-economic status, gender identity, and race intersect. Black and indigenous menstruators are more likely to have severe symptoms and are less likely to be taken seriously by medical professionals, according to a review published in Women's Health Reports.

A further layer of medical erasure is experienced by trans and non-binary people, who frequently have to deal with medical professionals who are ill-prepared or unwilling to offer gender-affirming care. During medical visits, members of these groups frequently report feeling excluded and having their identities questioned before their symptoms are even recognised.

Infertility, psychological distress, and persistent pelvic pain are all consequences of delayed treatment. According to a study cited in BMC Women's Health, patients who felt ignored by their physicians were more inclined to stop receiving care altogether. Similar to many online communities that support menstrual equity, one participant described feeling ‘gaslit’ when discussing pain. In addition to worsening physical consequences, putting off treatment of menstrual disorders severely damages public confidence in medical facilities.

Change is beginning to take shape

Menstrual pain is being reframed as a serious health issue rather than a gendered inconvenience by advocacy groups like The Period Purse and campaigns like #ItsNotJustAPeriod. Menstrual health education is being incorporated into medical school curricula in Canada and Australia. While OHSU advocates for more listening, less labelling, and earlier investigations when individuals present with persistent menstrual symptoms, the American Medical Association suggests routinely including menstrual histories as a regular part of primary care.

Healthcare systems around the world continue to fall short in addressing menstrual pain with the urgency it deserves. The science is clear- dysmenorrhoea can be a sign of serious underlying conditions. The silence, stigma, and systemic neglect surrounding it are no longer acceptable. Menstruation is natural. Suffering through it should not be.

Health