Most women have significant improvement with home care. However, a woman should call her health care provider in these situations:
- Menstrual cramps continue to be painful for longer than usual.
- The pain is suddenly worse or different from what she may have experienced before.
- Bleeding is excessive, requiring more than one pad or tampon per hour.
- Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, and body aches, are present at the time of the period.
- The woman suspects she may be pregnant and any of these symptoms occur.