The levels of our hormones changes with each menstrual phase. Many of us have rather negative relationships with our period; often relating the cycle to PMS - mood swings, fatigue, breast tenderness, bloating, food & sugar cravings - and inconvenience during the time of the month.
Growing up with cramps and pain was (and perhaps, still is) taken to be normal. Ingesting pain killers, old advice to not drink 'cooling' stuff , herbs from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Medical Certificate leave