Why Your Period Pain Isn’t Normal (And Why It Might Still Be Endometriosis)

For generations, people with periods have been told some version of the same thing:

“Period pain is normal.”“Some people just have bad cramps.”“Take ibuprofen and push through.”

But here’s the truth: Debilitating period pain is common — but it is not normal.

If your period pain interferes with work, school, relationships, sleep, or your ability to function… your body is trying to tell you something. And one of the most commonly missed reasons is endometriosis.

When Period Pain Is a Red Flag

A mild ache or discomfort during menstruation can happen. But pain that feels sharp, burning, stabbing, or all-consuming is not something you’re meant to simply tolerate.

Red flags we often see include:

• Pain that causes you to miss work or cancel plans

• Needing strong painkillers just to get through your cycle

• Pain that worsens over time

• Pelvic pain outside of your period

• Pain with ovulation, bowel movements, urination, or sex

• Heavy bleeding, clotting, or extreme fatigue during your cycle

Many patients are told these symptoms are “just part of being a woman.” In reality, they’re often signs that something deeper is going on.

Why Endometriosis Is So Often Missed

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 people with uteruses, yet it takes an average of 7–10 years to receive a diagnosis. So why does it get missed so often?

1. Period Pain Has Been Normalized

One of the biggest reasons endometriosis goes undiagnosed is cultural. Painful periods have been minimized for decades, leading many people to delay seeking help — or to stop advocating after being dismissed.

2. Standard Imaging Often Can’t See It

This is a critical piece many patients aren’t told: Endometriosis does not reliably show up on traditional ultrasounds or MRIs.

• Superficial endometriosis lesions are often invisible on imaging

• Small implants don’t alter anatomy enough to be detected

• Many radiology reports will say “normal” even when endometriosis is present

  
  

Unless endometriosis is advanced or deeply infiltrating, standard imaging frequently misses it.

3. Specialized Training Matters

There are ultrasound and MRI techniques that can identify certain forms of endometriosis — but only when the technician and radiologist are specifically trained in endometriosis imaging.

Without that specialized training:

• Lesions are overlooked

• Subtle signs are missed

• Pain is dismissed because imaging appears “clear”

  
  

A “normal ultrasound” does not rule out endometriosis — yet many patients are told exactly that.

4. Surgery Is Still the Gold Standard (But Not Always Offered)

The only definitive diagnosis for endometriosis is laparoscopic surgery, yet many patients are never referred for further evaluation. Instead, they’re offered hormonal birth control or told to “wait and see.”

While symptom management can help, it doesn’t answer the deeper question of why the pain exists.

Why It Might Still Be Endometriosis — Even If Tests Are Normal

This is one of the most important things to understand:

You can have endometriosis even if:

• Your ultrasound was normal

• Your labs were normal

• You were told “everything looks fine”

• Hormonal birth control helped some symptoms but not all

Endometriosis is not just a gynecological condition — it’s an inflammatory, systemic condition that can affect digestion, immune function, hormones, and the nervous system.

A More Whole-Body Perspective on Period Pain

At Arise Acupuncture, we view period pain as a signal — not an inconvenience to suppress.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lens, severe menstrual pain often reflects:

• Impaired blood flow in the pelvis

• Chronic inflammation

• Nervous system dysregulation

• Hormonal signaling that’s out of sync

Acupuncture works by improving circulation, calming the nervous system, and reducing inflammatory signaling — which is why many people with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis find meaningful relief, even when imaging hasn’t provided answers.

This doesn’t replace medical care — it complements it, while honoring your lived experience.

Trust Your Body — Even If You’ve Been Dismissed

If you’ve ever felt like:

• You’re overreacting

• You’re “too sensitive”

• Your pain isn’t being taken seriously

  
  

Please hear this: your experience is valid.

Pain is not a personality trait. It’s information.

And when it comes to period pain, the absence of a diagnosis doesn’t mean the absence of a problem — it often means the system hasn’t caught up yet.

You Deserve Better Answers

If you suspect endometriosis or feel your period pain has been dismissed, you’re not imagining things — and you’re not alone.

✨ If you’re looking for supportive, whole-body care to help manage period pain, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance, acupuncture can be a powerful part of your care team.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact Arise Acupuncture in San Diego at 619-356-1225.