Excessively painful periods with intense cramping are a condition called dysmenorrhea. Most women will experience some form of dysmenorrhea, or pain during menstruation, at some point in their lives.  For some, the pain is mild and easy to tolerate. For others, it can be severe enough to deal with specially during daily activities.

Pain usually begins one or two days before you get your period or when your period actual starts. You may feel pain ranging from mild to severe. Pain can typically last 12 to 72 hours, and you might have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Dysmenorrhea is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 24 years, with most of the severe episodes occurring before 25 years of age. Dysmenorrhea also occurs more frequently in unmarried women than in married women (61% vs 51%).

Dysmenorrhea is a common problem, and it is experienced by 50–90% of women worldwide.

Therapies that might help with menstrual cramping Women who have painful periods often try to find natural ways of dealing with the pain. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for dealing with dysmenorrhea but there are other methods that you might find useful include:

• Yoga.
• Heating pad
• Massage.
• Relaxation or breathing exercises.

Menstrual pain or cramps can be treated, so its important to consult a healthcare professional on time.