Can Menstrual Cramps Be as Painful as a Heart Attack? Myth vs Fact

• Researched and written by: Nishtha Chaudhary, MSc (Digital Marketing Strategy)

• Edited by: Vaibhavi Kodnani

• Medical inputs by: Dr Poonguzhali Liston, MBBS, MS OBG, FMAS, DRM, FRM, CIMP

• Medically reviewed by: Dr Yash Bahuguna, MBBS, MS, DNB, ISGE Certified Practitioner for PCOS

TL;DR

• Quick answer: Menstrual cramps and heart attack pain have different causes and are not directly comparable. However, severe period pain can be intense and significantly affect quality of life. 

• Research: Menstrual cramps and heart attack pain have not been compared in any clinical study. The claim originates from a 2018 article published in Quartz that quoted John Guillebaud, a professor of reproductive health at University College London. He reported that some patients have described period pain as "almost as bad as having a heart attack." However, his statement was not based on a clinical comparison.[1,2]

• Doc’s opinion: We do not have a standard clinical measure showing that menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) and heart attacks produce the same pain. They are different conditions with different causes. While we cannot compare the two types of pain, it’s important to acknowledge that period cramps can be severe and overwhelming. Painful periods may come along with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue that can disrupt daily activities.[3,4] We need to help women recognise when their pain feels unusual so they can seek timely medical attention.

Can Period Cramps Be as Painful as a Heart Attack? What Research Says

There is no direct scientific research comparing the intensity of menstrual cramps and heart attack pain. The claim gained wide attention in 2018 when professor John Guillebaud, a reproductive health professor at University College London, told the magazine Quartz that his patients have described period pain as "almost as bad as having a heart attack."[1,2]

However, this statement was not based on a clinical study measuring pain levels between the two conditions. It likely gained traction because it highlighted how severe period pain can be and how often it is underestimated in women’s health. While the comparison is powerful, there is no evidence that these two types of pain feel similar or are equal in intensity.

Can Period Pain and Heart Attack Pain Feel Similar? What We Know

There are very few similarities between a heart attack and menstrual pain. The comparison is used to highlight how severe and overwhelming cramps can feel and how women’s pain is often underestimated in healthcare.

How pain is actually measured (and why comparisons are difficult)

Pain is typically measured using tools like the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) or Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where you rate your pain on a scale from 0 to 10. These tools help assess how intense pain feels to you, with 0 being no pain to 10 being worst possible pain.[5]

However, they are designed to measure pain within a single condition, not compare across different conditions. This means:

• A “7” for menstrual pain and a “7” for another condition may not represent the same type or seriousness of pain.

• These scales do not capture the cause, location, or risk associated with the pain.

In short, at present, there is no clinical method that can directly compare period pain with heart attack pain.

Where period pain and heart attack pain may overlap (and differ)

A few common menstrual symptoms may overlap with heart attack symptoms, including:[3,4]

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sweating or physical discomfort

• Dizziness or lightheadedness[6]

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty focusing or functioning normally

• Heart palpitations[7]

Even then, it’s important to understand that the two conditions are completely different.

• Heart attack: Symptoms often occur along with severe chest pain, pressure, and discomfort. If this happens, seek immediate emergency medical care.[8,9] 

• Menstrual pain: Symptoms are more likely to occur with pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, or legs. While it doesn’t always signal an emergency, speak to a doctor if the pain is severe or disrupts your daily life.[3,4,6]

Berry’s Insights: Period Pain vs Heart Attack Pain in Women

Heart attack pain and period pain are very different experiences with distinct causes, characteristics, and warning signs. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand the differences:

Common Causes of Severe Period Pain

Painful periods are a common experience for many women. However, when the pain becomes severe, it is usually linked to one of two causes: higher levels of chemicals called prostaglandins or another condition affecting the reproductive organs, such as the uterus, ovary, or other pelvic structures.[3,6]

High prostaglandin levels (Primary dysmenorrhea)

Primary dysmenorrhea refers to period pain that is not linked to any underlying medical condition. It occurs when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) releases higher levels of chemicals called prostaglandins during menstruation.[3,4]

These chemicals cause the uterus to contract and shed its lining. When prostaglandin levels are elevated, the contractions become stronger and more frequent. This reduces blood flow and oxygen to the uterine muscle, which causes pain in the lower abdomen. It may also spread to the lower back or legs. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and headache are other common symptoms.[3,4]

This type of period pain may start just before periods and peak in the first 1–2 days of bleeding when prostaglandin levels are the highest. As the period progresses and most of the lining sheds, prostaglandin levels come down and period pain resolves.

Underlying health conditions (Secondary dysmenorrhea)

Secondary dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstruation caused by an underlying condition affecting the reproductive organs. This type of pain may be more intense, last longer, and sometimes cause severe pain even outside your period.[3,4,6]

Common underlying conditions include:

• Endometriosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic organs, leading to inflammation and significant pain.

• Adenomyosis: The uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, which may cause the uterus to enlarge and lead to heavy, painful periods.

• Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus that may contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs, often linked to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), that can lead to ongoing pelvic pain that intensifies during periods.

The pain may cause more severe nausea and digestive discomfort. It may also prevent you from performing daily activities, significantly impacting your quality of life. 

When Should You See a Doctor?

Mild to moderate period pain can be managed at home with simple self-care strategies. However, some symptoms may indicate the need for medical attention. You may consider consulting a gynecologist or OB-GYN if:[3,4,6]

• Your pain is severe enough that you are unable to move, go to work, or carry out daily activities.

• Your cramps have become more intense over time.

• You experience pelvic pain and discomfort even when you are not on your period.

• You have heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods.

• You experience pain during sex, urination, or bowel movements. 

During your appointment, your gynecologist may ask about your menstrual cycle, pain patterns, and symptoms. They may recommend tests such as a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or blood tests to better understand the cause of your pain.[3]

Important: If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek help immediately, as these may indicate a heart-related issue rather than period pain:[8,9]

• Sudden chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes.

• Pain that spreads to your arm, jaw, neck, or back.

• Shortness of breath, cold sweats, or dizziness.

• Nausea or vomiting along with chest discomfort.

Treatment Options for Painful Periods

Treatment for painful periods depends on the underlying cause. For primary dysmenorrhea, the focus is on reducing pain and inflammation, while for secondary dysmenorrhea, it involves managing an underlying condition. 

First-line treatment

Doctors may recommend first-line treatment for period pain and only consider advanced options if symptoms persist.

• Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen help reduce chemicals called prostaglandins, which lowers inflammation and eases cramping and associated symptoms.[3,4,10]

• Hormonal treatment: Options such as oral contraception or hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) work by thinning the uterine lining and reducing menstrual flow, which can lead to less pain.[3,4,10]

• Self-care: Heat therapy, such as a heating pad on the lower abdomen for 10–30 minutes, can help relax the uterus and improve blood flow. Using TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for 15–20 minutes may also help by blocking pain signals.[11]

• Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming may improve blood circulation and release endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers, which can help reduce pain over time.[4,12]

Note: Your doctor may also recommend evidence-backed options like Vitamin D and Vitamin E supplements to help reduce inflammation and intense cramping over time.

Advanced options

If first-line treatments do not provide enough relief, especially when pain is linked to an underlying condition, your doctor may discuss surgical options.[3,6]

The Bottom Line

The idea that period cramps are as painful as a heart attack is not supported by clinical evidence. The comparison was originally used to highlight how intense and overwhelming menstrual pain can be, and how often it is underestimated in healthcare.[1]

While the two types of pain are very different in their causes and urgency, severe period pain is still valid and deserves attention. Whether it is linked to high levels of prostaglandins or underlying conditions, effective treatment options are available, including medications, hormonal therapies, and supportive approaches like heat therapy, TENS, exercise, and targeted supplements. Surgery is also an option for intense period pain that does not improve with first-line treatment.[3,4]

FAQs on Severe Period Pain 

Are periods as painful as a heart attack?

They are not the same and no clinical evidence directly compares the two. However, severe period pain can still be intense and disrupt daily life.

How much period pain is too much?

Pain that disrupts daily activities, does not improve with pain relief strategies, worsens over time, or lasts longer during the cycle may need medical attention.

Can periods lead to heart pain?

Periods do not cause heart pain, but severe cramps may sometimes be accompanied by mild chest discomfort due to anxiety. However, if it feels unusual or severe, speaking to a doctor is important. 

What is level 10 period pain?

It refers to extremely intense pain that makes it difficult to function and may require medical evaluation.

Why is day 1 of your period so painful?

Pain is often worse on day 1 because that is when prostaglandin levels peak, leading to stronger uterine contractions.

Is period pain equal to labour pain?

They involve similar uterine contractions, but the intensity and context are different, so they may not be directly comparable.

At which age period is pain worse?

It may be more intense in the late teens and early 20s, while pain linked to underlying conditions can become more noticeable later.

What is a red flag for period pain?

Pain that suddenly worsens, occurs outside your cycle, or is accompanied by unusual symptoms like heavy bleeding may need medical attention.

Do periods get worse in your 30s?

They can, especially if underlying conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or adenomyosis are present, which may lead to heavier, more painful periods.

References

1. Quartz. Period pain can be “almost as bad as a heart attack.” Why aren’t we researching how to treat it? Accessed April 7, 2026.

2. UCL News. Doctors finally confirm period pain can be as painful as a heart attack. Accessed April 6, 2026.

3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods. Accessed April 6, 2026.

4. McKenna KA, Fogleman CD. Dysmenorrhea. American family physician. 2021 Aug;104(2):164-70.

5. Stretanski MF, Stinocher S, Grandhe S. Pain assessment. InStatPearls [Internet] 2025 Jun 22. StatPearls Publishing.

6. Nagy H, Carlson K, Khan MA. Dysmenorrhea. InStatPearls [Internet] 2023 Nov 12. StatPearls Publishing.

7. Schmalenberger KM, Eisenlohr-Moul TA, Jarczok MN, Eckstein M, Schneider E, Brenner IG, Duffy K, Schweizer S, Kiesner J, Thayer JF, Ditzen B. Menstrual cycle changes in vagally-mediated heart rate variability are associated with progesterone: evidence from two within-person studies. Journal of clinical medicine. 2020 Feb 25;9(3):617.

8. NHS. Heart attack. Accessed April 9, 2026.

9. NHS Inform. Heart attack. Accessed April 9, 2026.

10. Osayande AS, Mehulic S. Diagnosis and initial management of dysmenorrhea. American family physician. 2014 Mar 1;89(5):341-6.

11. National Health Service. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Accessed April 9, 2026.

12. NHS Inform. Period pain (dysmenorrhoea). Accessed April 10, 2026.