How Can I Stop Period Pains
There are a lot of options you can try to help with your period pain, including different types of medication or even certain lifestyle changes. What works for someone else may not work for you, so its best to try different options until you find the treatment that works best for you.
Medical treatments that can help with period pain include:
- Over-the-counter painkillers
When Should I Talk To My Ob
Since each womans body is unique, it can be difficult to tell whether the cramps youve grown used to are actually chronic. Use these common symptoms of chronic, severe menstrual cramps as a guideline to decide if its time to talk to an OB-GYN about your cramps.
- Your cramps interfere with your daily life
- The cramps last longer than two days
- No or minimal relief from over-the-counter pain medication
- You have cramps outside of your period
- You notice a change in how your cramps feel over time
Pamprin Menstrual Pain Relief
Pamprin has been around for decades and, in that time, helped millions of women transcend the worst of their PMS symptoms. Pamprin Menstrual Pain Relief addresses all major aspects of PMS safely and effectively.
What we like: It provides effective relief from most PMS symptoms. The antihistamine pyrilamine maleate and the diuretic pamabrom do an excellent job relieving cramps and bloating, while acetaminophen reduces aches and pains.
Flaws: Contains antihistamines which can create some unpleasant side effects.
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When Period Pain Isn’t Normal
Menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome are not the same thing. PMS symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, bloating, and fatigue appear approximately a week before menses begins. After your period starts, PMS symptoms usually improve dramatically.
PMS symptoms fade after a menstrual period begins, but new pain may emerge in the form of menstrual cramps.
The lining of the uterus releases prostaglandins that make contractions more powerful and painful, especially during the first few days of the menstrual cycle. For many, this discomfort is simply a nuisance, but sometimes it’s indicative of more than just “normal” period pain.
There are two types of menstrual pain:
- Primary dysmenorrhea: This type of pain occurs around the time of a first period and usually doesn’t indicate a medical condition.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea: Pain that develops some time after a person first begins menstruating it can even begin after a long history of normal periods. It usually indicates the presence of conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease .
If period pain is not relieved with anti-inflammatory medication or is so severe that it interferes with going to school, working, or socializing, there could be an underlying condition that needs treatment.
In this case, it’s best to call a doctor or other healthcare professional. If your tween or teen is the one experiencing menstrual pain, you can contact either a gynecologist or your child’s pediatrician .
What Are The Symptoms Of Period Pain
The most common period pain symptoms are abdominal cramps. They can start the day before your period starts and last for one to three days, though timings may vary from period to period.
The pain will generally be in your lower belly area, and can spread to your back and thighs. Some people feel a constant, dull ache while others get sharp twinges. We are all different.
Here are some other things you may experience during your period:
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Tender breasts and a swollen abdomen
Given this cocktail of unpleasant feelings, it’s surprising how many young women do not seek medical advice for painful periods, or receive inadequate treatment. Many high school girls appear to be unaware of the treatment options available.
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Symptoms Of Menstrual Pain
Besides cramps in the lower abdomen, you may also have some of these symptoms with menstrual cramps:
- Current medications
- What things seem to improve or worsen the pain
The doctor will perform a pelvic exam to check for any problems. If there are concerns about a possible infection, cervical cultures and a blood test will confirm the diagnosis. You might get these tests, too:
- The doctor may order a pregnancy test if your periods are irregular or you are not using birth control regularly.
- An ultrasound exam is necessary if the doctor discovers any abnormal masses during the pelvic exam or there is a new onset of menstrual pain.
- A doctor may recommend a laparoscopy, which is a minor surgical procedure allowing the doctor to look directly into the pelvic cavity with a fiber-optic scope. This is an outpatient procedure using very small incisions.
- A hysteroscopy is another possible procedure. By inserting a hysteroscope through the vagina, the doctor can see inside the cervix and the inside of the uterus without incisions. This can be done in a doctor’s office or a hospital.
What Are The Causes Of Period Pain
You may have come across the term primary dysmenorrhoea, which is the technical name for period pain. The condition is caused by the contractions of your uterus as it dislodges its lining every month, as well as the reduced blood flow to the area.
The natural chemicals in your body that trigger periods are called prostaglandins. Some scientists believe that if you experience pain, you may have higher levels of these hormone-like substances.
It is also thought that women who get period pain may be more sensitive to pain in general.
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Midol Menstrual Complete Gelcaps
Midol Menstrual Complete Gelcaps are easy to swallow and loaded with ingredients known to relieve symptoms of PMS. This is a potent combination of painkiller, antihistamine, and diuretic that gets to work fast.
What we like: Midol Complete is safe for adults and teens. It contains a modest amount of caffeine that should help reduce water weight gain without producing jitters. And it typically gets to work fast.
Flaws: Too much acetaminophen is not necessarily a good thing. It also contains caffeine, which will turn some people off.
Massage Your Tummy With Essential Oils
Research suggests that some essential oils can help ease period cramps when massaged onto the abdomen, especially when used in a blend of oils.
Oils that seem to be most effective at reducing period cramps, due to their ability to boost circulation, include:
- cinnamon
- clove
You can find essential oils online, or at your local health food store. Some drugstores may sell them, too.
Before using essential oils, youll want to mix them with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Carrier oils work by safely carrying the essential oil into your skin, and helping to spread the oil over a large area.
Once your oil mixture is ready to use, rub a few drops between your hands and then give your tummy a gentle massage.
Experts say massaging in a circular motion for just five minutes a day before and during your period may help lessen cramps and boost circulation in your abdomen.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen , naproxen , and aspirin are effective treatments for period cramps.
These medications work best if theyre taken at the first sign of cramps or pain.
You can find ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, at any drugstore. Be sure to take only as directed, and talk to your doctor first if you have a history of heart, liver, or kidney problems, or if you have asthma, ulcers, or bleeding disorders.
recent study , low-to-medium intensity aerobic exercise can help reduce pain caused by period cramps.
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Buying Information For Medicine For Menstrual Cramps
While the majority of women experience cramps as a routine part of their monthly period, do be aware that in a small number of cases, something more complex can be in play. If your cramps are severe enough that they prevent you from working, walking or sitting up straight, if severe pain lasts longer than a few days or if you experience cramping when it is not time for your period, do see a physician. He or she may wish to treat you with prescription drugs or birth control pills, which can reduce and control the severity of cramping.
But for routine cramping, choose a product from our Best Medicine for Period Cramps guide and begin using it a day or so before your period is scheduled to start. This prevents the pain from getting ahead of the medicine. Pair your choice of pain-reliever with a cozy heating pad and some rich organic tea like our #9 product and try to take a long walk before going to bed during the first couple of days of your period.
In addition, medical professionals often recommend a few lifestyle changes that have been shown to reduce cramping:
Relief For Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms
Curcumin, a natural chemical in turmeric, may help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome . One 2015 study looked at 70 women who took two capsules of curcumin for seven days before their period and three days after. Participants reported significant reduction in PMS.
If you want to give curcumin a try, check out this recipe by In Jennies Kitchen for turmeric tea. Curcumin supplements are also available online.
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Why Are Some People More Prone To Period Cramps
From length to heaviness and cramps, everyone has a different experience when it comes to periods.
Some people do have more painful periods than others, and this may be due to a buildup of prostaglandins, which can cause stronger contractions, Caroline Overton, consultant gynecologist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, tells Flo.
However, there are some factors that can put you at a higher risk of painful periods.
Research by the University of Queensland found that you are much more likely to experience painful period cramps if you have a family history of dysmenorrhea. Lifestyle factors also seem to be at play here too their research also found that stress was closely associated with dysmenorrhea.
Another study from the same university found that women who smoke may be more likely to experience menstrual pain. The link between the two is not exactly clear, but it could be related to a reduced amount of oxygen available to the uterus.
When Should You Contact Your Healthcare Provider About Menstrual Cramps
Bad cramps keep some women from working and going to school. You dont have to suffer and you dont have to put your life on hold. Contact your healthcare provider if you have painful periods.
It may be helpful to keep track of your periods and the days on which pain is the worst so you can make a complete report. If you notice other symptoms, like headaches or heavy flows, you should keep track of those, too.
Your provider will probably ask you when you started getting your period, how long they last, if you are sexually active, if other women in your family have problems with their periods and what kinds of treatments you might have tried already.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Menstruation is normal. You might get cramps, but you dont have to suffer silently with them. There are ways to make painful periods less painful. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about painful periods.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/20/2020.
References
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Curl Up With A Heating Pad To Ease Period Cramps
The uterus is a muscle, so anything that helps relax muscles, like applying heat, can be beneficial, Thielen says.
Indeed, research published in Evidence-Based Nursing found that topically applied heat was just as effective as ibuprofen for period cramps. Over the two study days, the women used heat alone, heat plus ibuprofen, ibuprofen alone, or a placebo. The best results were in the heat plus ibuprofen group adding heat led to faster improvements.
A review published in March 2014 in The Journal of Physiotherapy also found that heat significantly lessened a womans period pain.
Painkillers Block Prostaglandin Production
Anti-inflammatory painkillers are often used to relieve period pain, especially the drugs diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen. These medications are all non-steroidal . They inhibit the production of prostaglandins and can relieve period pain in that way. Many NSAIDs are available from pharmacies without a prescription.
Researchers at the an international network of researchers looked for clinical studies of these drugs to find out whether they help and how well they are tolerated. The researchers found 80 good-quality studies involving more than 5,800 girls and women between the ages of 12 and 47. These studies compared the effectiveness of the painkiller with that of a placebo or other medications. The studies included women with and without endometriosis.
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Symptoms Associated With Painful Periods
The main symptom associated with primary dysmenorrhoea is cramping pain in your lower abdomen . The pain can also spread to your lower back and your thighs.
As well as pain, you might have some other symptoms before or during your period, such as:
- tiredness
- feeling sick or being sick
- diarrhoea
- unusual discharge from your vagina
- sex may be painful, and you may bleed afterwards
These symptoms may be caused by problems other than painful periods. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your GP for advice.
What Is Cramping Pain
Menstrual pain which is also known by its medical term, dysmenorrhea is the most common cause of gynecological complaints. Studies have estimated that cramps affect anywhere from 45% to 95% of women at some point. Menstrual pain is also a common cause of school and work absenteeism, especially in women who experience severe symptoms.There are different types of menstrual pain, and identifying its cause is an important step. Doctors usually divide menstrual pain into two categories: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs when there isnt an underlying medical condition that causes your menstrual pain. Secondary dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, is associated with at least one identifiable condition that causes pain.
Primary dysmenorrhea symptoms and characteristics include:
- Pain that occurs near the start of your menstruation.
- Can be associated with other symptoms, such as headaches, back pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
- You dont suffer from any disease that can explain your cramps.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea symptoms include:
- Connection with an underlying medical condition, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or polyps and pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Your cramps might become more painful over time or change their previous pattern.
- The primary disease can cause other gynecologic symptoms.
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