Some cramping is common, but if you're regularly calling out sick, unable to participate in daily activities, or the pain comes with other red flags like severe bowel problems, that's different.

• Endometriosis is probably the most common cause of severely painful periods, and it often travels with bowel symptoms that get mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome. Other potential causes are uterine fibroids or adenomyosis.
• Painful sex is the other big one people normalize. A little discomfort when you're new to being sexually active, postpartum, or perimenopausal is normal, but excruciating pain is not something to push through. There are causes like endometriosis, vaginismus, or changes of menopause that can be treated to make sex more comfortable.
• Of course, there can be many other causes of pelvic pain too, which is why it’s important to discuss your individual symptoms with a doctor.

Just because pain is common doesn't mean it's normal, and you don't have to spend a quarter of your life in pain to prove it's real.

Find my full article here for a breakdown of what symptoms to look for, possible causes, how to talk to your doctor about it, and possible treatment options, and learn more about all of this and more in my book, It's Not Hysteria

—Karen Tang, M.D., minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon

+Put an end to pain

• A pelvic floor therapist explains when NOT to do kegels
• 8 ways to optimize pelvic floor health at any age
• How to get the right care if you deal with sexual pain

The best runs are the ones that make you forget about everything else. The best running apparel is the kind that makes that happen.

New Balance's RC Collection is engineered to eliminate distractions.

Pull it on, settle into your stride, and then just focus on the miles ahead.

• Sports bras shouldn’t be a pain. The RC Bra offers a customizable fit, 4-way stretch fabric, and sturdy support for high impact activities.
• Stop tugging at your shorts every third step. The RC Essential Short delivers lightweight comfort, breathable fabric, and smart storage for gels, keys, and more.
• Don’t let the weather stress you out. The RC Packable Jacket is ultra-lightweight, water-resistant, and packs into itself for easy on-the-go storage.

Built on more than 50 years of running expertise, the RC Collection delivers exactly what runners need: dependable performance, supportive comfort, and distraction-free fit.

+The new running essentials

• RC Essentials Shorts for men and women with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
• A max support sports bra that fits cups A to G
• A packable jacket that looks great on your run—and everywhere else

Did you know the mindbodygreen YouTube channel is a fantastic resource to watch all our podcasts—for free? Here are a few of our favorites.

• This small town’s secret to longevity isn’t diet
• An M.D.’s ultimate guide to peptides
• How to build lean muscle & optimize protein intake
• Silent drivers of brain inflammation & how to avoid them
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy for women

Once you try on the New Balance RC Essential Short, you’ll never want to run without them.