Hormones are often associated with a whole host of unpleasant symptoms – mood swings, water retention, fatigue, cravings and pain. You may notice that your body reacts to pain differently throughout the month. Sometimes you are more resistant to pain, other times even a small stimulus throws you off balance and the discomfort seems much more intense. This is no coincidence. This is due to female hormones, which affect not only physical symptoms during the cycle, but also how the brain itself reacts to pain.
How the brain processes pain
Pain is not just a physical sensation. It is a complex process that begins in the body but is processed in the brain. Nerve endings in the body register the painful stimulus and send a signal to the spinal cord and brain. The brain then determines how much pain we experience. And that is where hormones come into play.
What role do hormones play?
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone They affect neurotransmitters in the brain (e.g. serotonin), inflammatory processes, and neural pathways that transmit and process pain, thereby influencing how the brain and nervous system perceive and interpret pain.
However, according to research, it is not just the level of these hormones that is decisive, but especially how quickly and significantly they change. It is precisely the sharp hormonal fluctuations during the monthly cycle that fundamentally affect women's sensitivity to pain.
Painkillers are not as effective for women. Why?
Perception of pain during the cycle
There are four phases of the menstrual cycle – menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal. Each of these phases is accompanied by changes in the levels of estrogen , progesterone and other hormones that affect not only the reproductive organs but also the brain and nervous system. How intensely we perceive pain and how our body reacts to it may be related to the specific phase of the cycle and changing hormone levels:
Follicular phase
During the follicular phase, which follows menstruation and lasts until ovulation, the level of the hormone estrogen gradually increases. Estrogen can have contradictory effects on pain perception. On the one hand, it has an anti-inflammatory effect , increases the pain threshold and promotes the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which positively affect mood and pain processing in the brain. This is why many women perceive pain less intensely during this period. On the other hand, some studies suggest that sudden changes in estrogen, such as its sudden increase or decrease, may be associated with increased pain perception.
Ovulation phase
During ovulation, when estrogen levels peak and then drop sharply, some women may experience increased sensitivity to pain. These hormonal fluctuations can also trigger what's known as mittelschmerz , ovulation pain usually on one side of the lower abdomen.
Luteal phase
After ovulation, the luteal phase begins, when the hormone progesterone dominates. Its effect on pain is more complex, and while it has a dampening effect in some women, it can increase pain sensitivity in others - especially if estrogen levels fluctuate or drop sharply. It is during this phase that many women experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including breast pain , back pain, headaches, insomnia and fatigue, or a general deterioration in mood, which further intensifies the perception of pain.
What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?
Menstrual phase
As menstruation begins, when estrogen and progesterone levels drop, the pain threshold tends to be lowest and the brain becomes more sensitive to painful stimuli. Approximately 45–95% of women of reproductive age experience some form of pain during menstruation, often in the form of lower abdominal cramps, backaches, migraines, or digestive problems. One of the main causes of these discomforts is prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that trigger uterine contractions and help shed the lining of the uterus. However, they also cause inflammation and muscle tension, which can lead to increased pain not only in the uterus but also in other parts of the body.
4 tips to manage pain during your period
Pain and other physical or psychological symptoms associated with menstruation can wreak havoc on our bodies and are not always easy to cope with. That's why you can try some of our tips on how to better manage pain during each phase:
1. Monitor your body and pain patterns
Keeping a menstrual diary can help you identify when and why pain occurs. Try tracking not only physical symptoms, but also your mood, sleep, and diet. The symptothermal method can also be a great tool .
2. Relieve with massage and heat
For pain relief, you can use a warm compress or try an abdominal massage with Cramp Days oil . Gentle almond oil, along with extracts of calendula, lavender and rosemary, will pleasantly warm your skin, relieve muscle tension and calm your body and mind.
3. Support the body from the inside
Sufficient intake of fluids, vitamins and minerals helps to relieve muscle tension and calm the nervous system. Our Premenstrual Complex It contains key nutrients – such as magnesium, vitamin B6 or ashwagandha – which together contribute to well-being, especially in the pre-menstrual period, and help relieve unpleasant symptoms.
4. Focus on your breath and nervous system
Short breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle yoga can help calm your mind and body. Regular breathwork can reduce pain perception and improve stress management. For more tips on how to reset your nervous system, check outthis article .
What else can you read on Femspace?
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What affects a woman's libido and what role does the menstrual cycle play?
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Ovulation bleeding: Why does it occur and how to recognize it?
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Endometriosis: A New Perspective on Pain, Diagnosis, and a Holistic Approach to Care
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Sources used
Athnaiel, O., Cantillo, S., Paredes, S., & Knezevic, NN (2023). The Role of Sex Hormones in Pain-Related Conditions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 24 (3), 1866. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24031866
Ferguson, K. (2025, August 23). How do hormones work for pain? Samphire Neuroscience. https://samphireneuro.com/blog/how-do-hormones-work-for-pain
Karout, S., Soubra, L., Rahme, D. et al. Prevalence, risk factors, and management practices of primary dysmenorrhea among young females. BMC Women's Health 21 , 392 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01532-w
