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Period Pain and Cramp Diary
A complete no-diagnosis diary for period pain and cramps, covering location, timing, work and school impact, medicine notes, sleep, position, and specific spots like back, hip, leg, bladder, bowel, and rectal pain.
Period pain shows up in a lot of places. Lower belly. Back. Hip. Leg. Bladder area. Bowel. Rectum. Sometimes during or after sex.
Use this diary as one home for all of it. Pick the sections that match your symptoms. Skip the rest.
It is not medical advice. It does not diagnose the cause. It does not tell you what care to choose.
Prompt care check
Get care now if any of these fit, no matter which section you were about to fill out.
Pain is sudden, severe, or getting worse. Pain is very different from your usual pattern. Fever. Vomiting, fainting, or dizziness. Heavy bleeding. Blood in urine or black stool. Pregnancy concern. New numbness or weakness. Symptoms that feel unsafe.
If you feel very sick, seek urgent care.
Quick start note
Fill this in first. Use plain words.
Question Your note Date pain started Period or cycle day Main pain location Worst pain, 0 to 10 Pain started before flow, with flow, or after flow What came with it What changed in your day Medicine or comfort step already used Main question for care
MedlinePlus says painful periods can include crampy lower belly pain, back pain, leg pain, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, and headache. ACOG describes dysmenorrhea as pain that comes before or during a period. Those facts do not name your cause. They help you use clear words.
Daily pain log
Use one row per day.
Date Period day Pain location Pain 0 to 10 Cramps Nausea Bowel or bladder note Daily impact : : lower belly / back / hip / leg / bladder area / rectal area / other none / mild / strong no / yes
Lower back pain
Use this if pain settles in your lower back before, during, or after bleeding.
Date Period day Flow Back pain side Pain 0 to 10 Cramps too Nausea, diarrhea, or headache Daily impact : day 1 light / medium / heavy left / middle / right / both no / yes day 2 day 3
MedlinePlus lists lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches as symptoms that can come with period pain.
Hip pain
Use this if pain sits in the front hip, side hip, groin, or buttock.
Area Left Right Notes Front hip Side hip Groin Buttock Low back
Date Period day Side Hip spot Pain 0 to 10 Moved to leg Walking harder Sleep changed : : left / right / both yes / no yes / no yes / no
Leg pain and pain that travels down the leg
Use this if pain runs from the low back, hip, or pelvis into the thigh, knee, calf, or foot.
Body area Left Right Both Notes Low back Hip Front thigh Back thigh Knee Calf Ankle or foot
Date Period day Side Start point End point Pain 0 to 10 Numbness or weakness Notes : left / right / both yes / no
If you notice numbness or weakness, write down only the facts: area, whether it happened, and what changed from usual. Do not use this table to guess a cause.
Bladder pain and pressure before or during a period
Use this if pelvic pressure, urgency, frequency, or pee burning shows up around your cycle.
Date Cycle day Bladder pain 0 to 10 Pelvic pressure Urgency Frequency Pee burn Blood in urine Daily impact : : none / mild / strong no / yes usual / more / a lot no / yes no / yes / not sure
NIDDK says to see a health care professional for bladder symptoms such as trouble urinating, pelvic pain, or leaking urine, and to seek care right away for blood in urine or infection symptoms. This table cannot diagnose a UTI, bladder condition, endometriosis, fibroids, or a pregnancy issue.
Painful bowel movements and rectal pain
Use this if pooping hurts on period days, or if you feel rectal pressure or pain.
Date Period day Bowel pain 0 to 10 Pelvic pain 0 to 10 Stool type Bleeding concern Notes : : loose / hard / usual yes / no
OWH lists painful bowel movements and pain with urination during periods among possible endometriosis symptoms. ACOG says bowel involvement with endometriosis can include pain during bowel movements. These facts do not prove your cause.
Seek care promptly for severe or worsening pain, fever, vomiting, blood or black stool, rectal bleeding, blood in urine, dehydration signs, pregnancy concern, or symptoms that feel unsafe.
Pain during or after sex
Use this if pain shows up with or after sex.
Date Cycle day Pain location When pain started Pain 0 to 10 Duration Bleeding Discharge change Notes : entry / deep / both during / after / later none / spotting / light / heavy yes / no
Mayo Clinic says care teams may ask when pain began, where it hurts, and how it feels. ACOG and OWH note that pain during or after sex can be part of the endometriosis symptom picture, but pain alone does not prove a diagnosis. Seek prompt care for severe or worsening pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, fever, faintness, dizziness, shoulder pain with pelvic pain, or a pregnancy concern.
Breast pain after a period
Use this if breast pain, tenderness, or a lump concern shows up.
Date Cycle day Days after period Side Spot Score 0 to 10 Pain word Lump concern Skin change Nipple discharge : : : left / right / both one spot / spread out sore / sharp / burning / tight no / yes / not sure no / yes no / yes
Mayo Clinic says breast pain may be cyclic or noncyclic and advises an appointment for pain that continues daily for more than a couple of weeks, stays in one area, worsens, or affects daily activities.
IUD bleeding and cramps
Use this if cramping and bleeding changed after an IUD insertion, or if a pattern changed months or years later.
Date Bleeding Flow Cramps Pain 0 to 10 Fever note Odor note Strings note : none / spotting / bleeding light / medium / heavy none / mild / strong yes / no yes / no checked / not checked / not told to check
ACOG says IUDs can affect bleeding patterns and that users should talk with an ob gyn about questions or problems. CDC recommendations note that bleeding irregularities can happen with IUD use.
Menstrual cup or tampon pain
Use this if pain, pressure, dryness, or burning shows up with a period product.
Date Bleeding day Product Pain 0 to 10 Pressure or dryness Irritation Notes : before / day 1 / day 2 / day 3+ / after cup / tampon none / mild / strong none / mild / strong
FDA and MedlinePlus note toxic shock syndrome as a rare but serious tampon related risk. Seek medical help now for sudden fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting or near fainting, dizziness, or a sunburn like rash during or soon after a period. ACOG and Cleveland Clinic note that vulvar pain, burning, and irritation can need a clinician visit and possible exam.
Cramps but no period yet
Use this if cramps start before bleeding, or bleeding has not started at all.
Date Cycle day, if known Pain score Bleeding or spotting Other notes : : none / spotting / bleeding
ACOG says primary dysmenorrhea can start before or during a period. This table does not interpret pregnancy, miscarriage, or test results.
Night cramps and sleep impact
Use this if cramps wake you up.
Date Period timing Wake up time Pain place Pain score Bleeding Next day impact : before bleeding / day 1 / day 2 / after bleeding none / spotting / light / medium / heavy
Position notes
Use this if pain feels different lying down, sitting, or in a certain position.
Date Period timing Position Pain place Pain before Pain after Sleep impact : : before bleeding / day 1 / day 2 / after bleeding side / back / knees bent / sitting / standing woke up / no change
Heat and other comfort steps
MedlinePlus and ACOG name heat on the lower belly, exercise, hot baths, rest, and relaxation as things people may try for period pain. FDA notes that over the counter pain medicines are used in menstrual cramp products and that people should track pain, what it feels like, and where it hurts.
Date Body area Heat source Time used Pain before Pain after Skin check : : lower belly / low back / hip / other heating pad / hot water bottle / wrap / bath no change / red / sore / numb
This table is a record, not a plan. FDA also warns that pain medicines can cause serious harm when misused, and that NSAIDs should be avoided at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless a health care professional specifically advises it.
Medicine already used
Product Active ingredient Date and time used Label followed Helped Side effects or worries yes / no / not sure yes / no / not sure
Do not use this table to decide a new dose or medicine. Ask a clinician or pharmacist how a label applies to you.
Cramps around exercise
Use this if cramps show up during or after a workout.
Date Period day Movement type Timing of cramps Pain location Bleeding note Dizziness or fatigue : run / walk / lift / yoga / class / bike / sport during / after / later / overnight / next day light / medium / heavy / changed dizzy / tired / both / neither
CDC describes physical activity broadly and notes that hot conditions can cause muscle cramping, dizziness, and other overheating symptoms alongside period symptoms. This table does not prove that exercise caused your cramps.
Cramps at work or school
Date Work or school block Pain score Bathroom access Product or clothes need Task impact : shift / meeting / class / commute easy / hard / none near me missed time / slow work / left early / none
Teens can use a low detail school script such as "I have period cramps today. I need to use the bathroom" or "I may need a short break today. Please tell me what note or form you need." This page does not give legal accommodation advice.
Asking a support person for help
Use a short note, not your full diary, when you ask someone for help.
One page visit summary
Bring this instead of the full diary.
text Period pain and cramp summary
Date range: Last period start date: Worst pain day and score: Main pain location(s): What came with the pain: Daily impact: Medicine or comfort steps already used: Main question:
Mayo Clinic appointment prep for menstrual cramps asks people to write down period dates and cramp severity. Mayo Clinic also says to see a health care professional if menstrual cramps disrupt life every month, symptoms get worse, or severe cramps start after age 25.
Questions to bring
Pick the ones that fit.
Could my cycle timing matter for this pain? What other causes should we consider? Does the location or pattern change what you check? Should I keep tracking for more than one cycle? What symptoms mean I should call sooner? Should I bring the full log or a short summary? What details can I leave out of an export?
Privacy note
This diary can include period dates, sex notes, bowel and bladder details, medicine names, work and school impact, and clinic plans. Keep only what helps your care question.
Floriva can keep cycle and pain notes on your device. Paper works too. HHS notes that HIPAA applies to covered entities and business associates, not every consumer app in every use, and the FTC's Health Breach Notification Rule can apply to some health apps when covered health information is breached. Screenshots, exports, backups, portals, and shared devices sit outside any app's control.
For visit prep, read Floriva for gynecologist prep.