Which is more painful: menstrual cramps or stomachache?

May 11, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
It is impossible to directly determine which is more painful between menstrual pain and stomach pain, as they differ in causes, affected areas, treatment methods, and individual circumstances; therefore, the severity of pain cannot be compared. Whether it is menstrual pain or stomach pain, timely targeted treatment and management should be carried out according to the specific cause. It is generally recommended to seek medical advice from relevant departments such as gynecology or gastroenterology at a hospital.

It is not possible to directly determine whether menstrual pain or stomach pain is more severe, as individual physical conditions vary and so does the perception of pain. Details are as follows:

During menstruation, the uterine lining produces prostaglandins, which may cause excessive uterine contractions or vascular spasms, leading to physiological dysmenorrhea. If a person has underlying conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis, these can affect the normal structure and function of the uterus, resulting in pathological dysmenorrhea. Stomach pain is often associated with conditions like gastritis, gastric ulcers, or gastric polyps. Because the causes, affected sites, treatment methods, and individual circumstances differ between menstrual pain and stomach pain, the severity of the two cannot be directly compared.

Whether experiencing menstrual pain or stomach pain, timely targeted treatment and management based on the specific cause are essential. It is generally recommended to seek medical evaluation at relevant departments such as gynecology or gastroenterology.