, and that severe chest pain is not always indicative of a heart attack. She also highlighted that the pain mechanisms of menstrual cramps and heart attacks differ significantly, making such direct comparisons misleading. Snopes has reached out to Gunter and other experts for a comment on whether any studies have found that menstrual cramps are as painful as heart attacks. We will update this article if we receive a response. In July 2016, we investigated a similar rumor that getting hit in the testicles is hundreds of times more painful than labor or childbirth. Sources Barnett, Emma. An Extract from Emma Barnett's New Book, Period: Why Are Women's Periods Still a Taboo Subject? 24 Aug. 2019, https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/an-extract-from-emma-barnett-s-period-why-are-women-s-periods-still-a-taboo-subject-kt282rjqm. Evon, Dan. "FACT CHECK: Is a Testicular Blow Exponentially More Painful Than Childbirth?" Snopes, 28 July 2016, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/testicles-childbirth-pain-comparison/. Goldhill, Olivia. "Period Pain Can Be 'Almost as Bad as a Heart Attack.' Why Aren't We Researching How to Treat It?" Quartz, 15 Feb. 2016, https://qz.com/611774/period-pain-can-be-as-bad-as-a-heart-attack-so-why-arent-we-researching-how-to-treat-it. Gunter, Dr Jen. "Comparing Period Cramps with Heart Attacks Isn't Useful or Accurate." Dr. Jen Gunter, 3 Mar. 2018, https://drjengunter.com/2018/03/02/comparing-period-cramps-with-heart-attacks-isnt-useful-or-accurate/. Mulroy, Zahra. "Period Pain Can Be as Painful as a Heart Attack - and Women Are Rejoicing." The Mirror, 28 Feb. 2018, https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/doctors-finally-confirm-your-period-12103914. UCL. "Doctors Finally Confirm Period Pain Can Be as Painful as a Heart Attack." UCL News, 1 Mar. 2018, https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/2018/mar/doctors-finally-confirm-period-pain-can-be-painful-heart-attack. By Aleksandra Wrona Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in th