What causes shooting pain in abdomen during periods?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 18 years old, female, I am 5'2" and 129 lbs. Lately, I have been getting shooting pains across my abdomen, when I am off and on my period. I also cannot eat a lot or else I will get nauseous but I am still extremely hungry afterward. I have had an ovarian cyst in the past but this does not feel the same.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is called primary dysmenorrhea. It can start anytime within five years of the beginning of periods in girls. Do not worry. It is a benign condition but definitely painful. I would advice start taking tablet Naproxen 250 mg twice daily with meal two days before your expected periods and take 500 mg twice daily on the day of the start of the cycle. You can continue for 2 to 3 days even after starting cycles if needed. This will help in preventing pain. When you grow up, mostly it will go away.