When Is the Right Time to Visit the Doctor for Period Cramps?

The right time to visit your doctor is when: [1]

• Severe abdominal cramp located on one side of the abdomen (either left or right): Could indicate ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Severe cramps along with sudden and severe headache: Could indicate migraine or another neurological issue.
• Fainting due to period pain and excessive blood loss: Could indicate anemia.
• Any symptom not cyclic or having a sudden onset.

When Is It an Emergency As per Guidelines?

• Pain that doesn’t improve with painkillers or hormonal contraceptives.
• Pain that has become more severe than usual.
• Pain during other times of the cycle, and not just when bleeding, or that starts several days before and continues after bleeding.
• Bleeding or pain during/after sex.
• Pain when urinating or passing stool.
• Other menstrual symptoms like heavy bleeding, bleeding during other times of the cycle, abnormal vaginal discharge. [1]

Medically reviewed by: Dr Yash Bahuguna

Researched by: Dr Inara Isani

Written by: Avantika Sukhia

References

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods . Washington, DC: ACOG; 2020 [cited 2025 May 15].