cólicos menstruales
/kolikos menstɾwales/from spelling rules
Period cramps in Spanish is cólicos menstruales.
The phrase cólicos menstruales refers to the painful muscle contractions in the abdomen that occur during a menstrual period. To express that you are currently experiencing these cramps, use the verb tener (to have), such as in the phrase Tengo cólicos.
Which one should you use?
While cólicos menstruales is the standard phrase, you may encounter different versions depending on the setting. Dolor menstrual is a more clinical or formal way to describe the sensation. For more casual or informal communication, you can use dolor de regla, dolor de periodo or simply cólicos.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dolor menstrual is the formal or clinical term. Cólicos menstruales is the standard phrase, while cólicos, dolor de regla and dolor de periodo are used in informal or casual conversation.
Did you know?
- In certain Latin American countries, people might colloquially say they are con la visita (with the visit) to imply they are experiencing their period or associated pains. This is a very indirect and euphemistic way of speaking.
- The word cólico comes from the Greek kolikos, referring to the colon, reflecting the historical belief that this pain originated in the lower bowel.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you might hear someone say they have dolores de regla instead of using more technical terms. The word regla literally means 'rule' or 'ruler', referring to the cycle's regularity.
Examples in context
- Sufro de dolor menstrualI suffer from menstrual pain
- Los calambres menstruales pueden ser muy intensosMenstrual cramps can be very intense
- Mi hermana sufre mucho malestar menstrualMy sister experiences a lot of menstrual discomfort
- Ugh, otra vez el dolor de reglaUgh, period cramps again
- Los cólicos menstruales me afectan bastanteMenstrual cramps affect me quite a bit
- Tengo fuertes calambres menstrualesI have strong menstrual cramps
- ¿Tiene algún medicamento para el dolor menstrual?Do you have any medication for menstrual pain?
- Tengo unos cólicos menstruales muy fuertes.I have very strong period cramps.
- Los cólicos menstruales son muy dolorosos.Period cramps are very painful.
- Ella sufre de cólicos menstruales cada mes.She suffers from period cramps every month.
Example conversation
Lucía is feeling unwell at home.
- LucíaAlejandro, me siento mal por los cólicos menstruales.Alejandro, I feel bad because of period cramps.
- AlejandroLo siento, Lucía. ¿Quieres una bolsa de agua caliente?I'm sorry, Lucía. Do you want a hot water bottle?
- LucíaSí, por favor, me ayudaría mucho.Yes, please, it would help me a lot.
- AlejandroClaro, te la traigo ahora mismo.Of course, I'll bring it to you right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
