article: Cradling your stomach with a hot water bottle might seem like the norm at 'that time of the month'. However, if you are doubling over with debilitating pain, it could actually be a sign of something much worse. While most 'normal' period pain can be fixed with ibuprofen or a over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, a doctor tells Daily Mail Australia that more severe symptoms such as nausea, back or leg pain or bleeding at unexpected times of the month can all point to a more serious condition - endrometriosis. Dr Lara Briden explains that endometriosis is a condition where bits of the uterus lining grow in other places outside of the uterus such as the ovaries, bladder or intestines. Painful periods: 90 per cent of women will experience period pain in their life time . 'Women who experience some degree of menstrual pain, caused by prostaglandins, will be suffering from your run of the mill, standard period pain,' she says. 'You can easily lower prostaglandins with an anti-inflammatory or it can be  addressed and removed with diet.' However, Briden says it's when pain is abnormal and can lead to sever pain and vomiting that women should go straight to a doctor. 'Normal period pain should be on the first or second day of bleeding, not  later in the bleeding cycle or before. So  timing is all part of the warning signs,' says Briden. Spine symptoms: Back and leg pain can be symptoms of endometriosis according to Dr Briden . 1. Severity: Extreme pain that over the counter medication can not ease . 2. Location: Lower back or leg pain . 3. Timing:  Pain during first two days of bleeding is normal, any other time during the cycle is not . 4. Other factors: Pain during sex, bleeding between periods can be other symptoms of endometriosis . 'Standard pain is also most commonly in the lower belly where the uterus is. However extended pain that makes you vomit or that reaches the lower back or legs shouldn't be considered a routine thing.' So what are the other symptoms women should look out for? 'Pain during or after sex can also be a key symptom, according to Dr Briden. 'Patients might a deep stabbing pain, maybe not every time they have sex -  it could be in middle of their cycle or any time, not  just during their period.' Bleeding between periods is another key sign. 'Seeing blood a day or two before is normal, but other times during the month is definitely a reason to see doctor,' says Dr Briden. Sex side effects: Endometriosis can also lead to stabbing pains in the abdomen during or after sex . Dr Lara Briden gives us her top remedies for preventing period pain... 1. Cut the sugar . Foods like sugar are inflammatory so you should avoid it throughout the month, not just at the time of your period. 2.Up the supplements . Research has found zinc can relieve period pain and is effective for removing prostagrandins. It also should also be taken throughout the month. 3. Try turmeric . A great herbal remedy - taken in tablet form it has a higher concentrate, more so than in something like a curry. 4. Work out often . Exercise helps maintain healthy circulation in the pelvis. Things like walking or yoga help lympathic drainage in the pelvis and translates to less period pain when the time comes around. 5.Stress less . When we’re stressed we make less of the hormone progesterone that prevents period pain so the happier and less stressed you are during the month, the more you prevent period pain occurring. Lastly, there is also a genetic component attached. Dr Briden says often women might have a mother or sister who has had severe period pain and so they think it's normal, but as a doctor, if she finds out a patient's relative has endometriosis then it's instantly taken more seriously. The most difficult problem for women though, is even if they are dealing with some symptoms, Dr Briden says it can take up to ten years to diagnose properly. 'It is so easily dismissed and something often I am the first health practitioner to raise that it could be endometriosis. The only definitive way to know is from performing keyhole surgery, where a doctor will put someone under general and cuts into their abdomen and look what's inside,' says Dr Briden. She says while she is hopeful there will be a blood test for the condition to diagnose it soon, the biggest issue is no one yet knows what causes it, despite there being a few main theories. 'A popular idea used to be that there is a retrograde flow that goes through the fallopian tubes, the  ovary normally goes down the tube, but theory says it goes the wrong way and  as embryos, the cells on the uterine lining get inflamed and grow.' The other theory that there is definite evidence, for according to Dr Briden, is that most women have cell tissue outside of the uterine lining, but that it stays dormant all their lives, whereas for others it becomes activated and responds to hormones. But because there isn't conclusive evidence, there is yet to be a cure. Currently Dr Briden says women who do have endometriosis can have surgery to remove the uteral lining that causes it. This can be particularly successful, for women suffering from infertility. One of my most rewarding cases she has had was with a woman who had been struggling to fall pregnant. While her blood tests,  hormones and husband's sperm all appeared normal she then turned to Dr Briden for other answers. Spice things up: Dr Briden says adding herbal spice turmeric to your diet will ease period pain symptoms . 'I met with her and asked her details about her period, and she admitted she experienced pain during other times of her cycle and also painful sex. I got her to then see a gynaecologist and request whether she might have endometriosis, and be able to get surgery,' says Dr Briden. 'The doctor found out she did, removed it, and three or four months later she was pregnant and had a beautiful baby boy.' 'That drove home how severe it can be and important to fix it. It's quite a common story now with my patients, once they have endometriosis removal they have greatly enhanced fertility,' says  Dr Briden. Although while it can help provide a quick fix, Dr Briden says it can't stop it all together. 'It can grow back, so things like hormonal suppression are important. By preventing stimulation of oestrogen it can prevent the bits of uterine tissue) becoming active again.' Naturopathic approach: Dr Lara Briden takes a natural approach to dealing with period pain by cutting foods and increasing supplements . As a naturopathic doctor, Dr Briden has a unique approach to dealing with it. 'There is growing evidence that endometriosis is a autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases attacks different parts of body so calling endometriosis one is still quite controversial, but it's the approach I've been taking for many years,' she says. 'To prevent regrowth occurring, applying dietary changes that help regulate immune function such as nutritional supplements and probiotics with good bacteria are helpful.' So far she believes her approach is successful both in preventing regrowth and also helping lessen or alleviate pain all together. 'I think periods are still an unnecessary taboo subject - especially when half the population has them,' says Dr Briden. Having just written a book 'Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods,' Dr Briden, a naturopathic doctor with nearly 20 years experience in women's health, is not adverse to discussion and believes it's  time to put it out there. 'Most haven’t heard of endometriosis and when one in ten suffer from it, it's about time we talk about it and give women help they need,' she says. Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor with nearly 20 years experience in women's health. She's just released her new book Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods.
highlights: 90 per cent of women experience menstrual pain during their period .
  One in ten will suffer from endometriosis but it can take up to ten years to be diagnosed .
  Despite this women  don't know what it is or if their pain is normal .
  Naturopathic doctor Lara Briden shares natural remedies for period pain .
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