Cramping is simply the word for that sharp, squeezing, tightening pain you feel, in your stomach (below naval) area, during your periods.
What do ‘cramps’ mean?
Imagine you are holding a very heavy shopping bag for a long time. After you finally put the bag down, your hand muscles feel so tired and tight that you can’t straighten your fingers. They feel like they are stuck in a “tight knot” or a “catch”—that is exactly what a cramp is.
During your period, your uterus (which is a muscle) has to squeeze to push its lining out. Cramping is the word for the sharp, tightening pain you feel when those muscles are working hard to squeeze.
Since everyone’s body is different, the sensation usually feels like one of these three things:
The Twisting Towel
It feels like someone has taken a wet towel inside your stomach and is slowly twisting it tighter and tighter. You feel like you need to bend over or curl into a ball to make the pulling stop.
The Heavy Pressure
It feels like a very heavy weight is sitting right on your lower belly, pushing down and making everything feel swollen and sore.
The Electric Pulse
It can also feel like a sharp, stabbing pain that comes in waves. It hits you suddenly, stays for a few seconds, and then slowly fades away, only to come back a few minutes later.
Remember! Even though this squeezing is how the body naturally works, period cramps shouldn’t be so bad that they ruin your day or stop you from doing your daily activities.
Your Journey to #StopThePeriodPain Starts Here
Every month, millions of Indian girls & women suffer in silence, told that their severe period pain (dysmenorrhea) is “normal.” Our mission is to break that silence. #StopThePeriodPain campaign is here to empower you with 3 simple truths:
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