Hello,
I'm 23 years old and ever since I first got my first period I've had menstrual cramps on the right side of my lower abdomen. I've never though much of this, until recently when I realized most of the women I know say they feel cramping on both sides, or just on the lower abdomen.
When I was about 15-20 I would get really bad cramps, and by bad I mean, debilitating, nausiating, fainting, couldn't get out of my bed cramps (the first time it happened my mom even thought it was the appendix)... nothing would do it, and it was as if all the pain was concentrated on my right side. Then after some hours of pain I would somehow fall asleep and I would wake up as if nothing had happened. Sometimes relief would come after vomiting too. I later found out I'm anemic which would explain the fainting and dizziness, so my doctor gave me iron pills. The thing is, since I didn't know pain on only one side was uncommon (at least that's what I've concluded now) I never pointed it out then.
Thankfully, I don't get bad cramping anymore but I still get faint-to-mild cramping on my lower right side that just goes away by drinking warm liquids or just ignoring it. (although I did almost faint about 6-7 months ago, during my period, but no cramping, just nausea due to low iron levels). I have a 32-35 day cycle, menstruating about 5-7 days (the first and second days are always very heavy, changing ultra tampons approx. every 2 or 2-1/2 hours... and even having to set up an alarm several times during the night to change them)
Anyway, I don't get any cramps or any pain on my left side at all, so how normal is it to get menstrual cramping on just the right side of the lower abdomen? Is there something I should worry about?
p.s. Sorry my message is so long but I just wanted to give as much info as possible that could potentially answer my question. Thanks in advance!