Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for painful periods?

by Vida Cassin Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin can help control the pain of cramps. Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also are available.Apr 30, 2022

Medication

Please provide some expert tips to help our readers get relief from menstrual cramps.

  • Make healthy diet, multivitamin supplementation and exercise a part of your routine.
  • Practice relaxation techniques and meditation to decrease stress and modify response to pain.
  • Take Ibuprofen twice daily, 1-2 days before the period starts. ...
  • Use heating pads on the lower abdomen and back for added comfort.

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Procedures

  • Drink lemon water every morning after you wake up. ...
  • Must include vitamin D3 in your diet. ...
  • Increase consumption of leafy greens to ensure enough B vitamins, fiber and mineral supply in the body. ...
  • Eat fatty fish, fish or flax oil every day to get relief from hormonal imbalances.

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Self-care

The best natural methods

  • Heat pads. If you want to avoid medication completely, a heat treatment may be your best option. ...
  • Exercise. “When I have cramps, I love going for a run,” said no one — probably ever. ...
  • Magnesium. “In my clinical practice, I recommend women aim for 300 mg nightly of magnesium bysglicinate to help alleviate menstrual cramps,” says Brighten.
  • Diet. ...

How to stop period pains with simple home remedies?

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How to reduce periods pain naturally?

How to relieve period pain naturally?

How do you stop pain in menstrual periods?

See more

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How to stop painful periods?

Types of things to try at home include: using a heating pad on your pelvic area or back. massaging your abdomen. taking a warm bath. doing regular physical exercise. eating light, nutritious meals.

What to do if your period is painful?

Treatment will depend on the severity and underlying cause of your pain. If PID or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are causing your pain, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection .

Why does my period hurt?

Some people are just at a higher risk of having painful periods. A hormone called prostaglandin triggers muscle contractions in your uterus that expel the lining. These contractions can cause pain and inflammation. The level of prostaglandin rises right before menstruation begins.

Why does my period feel heavier?

It can also cause longer or heavier periods. Cervical stenosis. Cervical stenosis is a rare condition in which the cervix is so small or narrow that it slows menstrual flow, causing an increase of pressure inside the uterus that causes pain.

What hormone causes pain in the uterus?

never having had a baby. reaching puberty before age 11. A hormone called prostaglandin triggers muscle contractions in your uterus that expel the lining. These contractions can cause pain and inflammation. The level of prostaglandin rises right before menstruation begins.

What are the symptoms of pelvic pain?

passing blood clots. cramping accompanied by diarrhea and nausea. pelvic pain when not menstruating. Sudden cramping or pelvic pain could be signs of infection. An untreated infection can cause scar tissue that damages the pelvic organs and may lead to infertility.

What is it called when you have a painful period?

Painful menstruation is also called dysmenorrhea. There are two types of dysmenorrhea : primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs in people who experience pain before and during menstruation. If you’ve had normal periods that become painful later in life, it may be secondary dysmenorrhea.

How to stop cramps from getting worse?

Stress may make cramps worse. Use stress relief techniques like meditation, deep breathing, yoga or your own favorite way to relieve stress. If you’re not sure how to relieve stress, try guided imagery. Simply close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine a calm, safe place that’s significant to you. Stay focused on this space for at least a few minutes while you take slow, deep breaths.

How does birth control help with cramps?

Birth control can stop period pain if cramps are caused by a hormone imbalance. Balancing your levels of estrogen and progesterone helps thin the uterine lining so it sheds more easily. Hormonal birth control also regulates the length and frequency of your period. Some forms of birth control can completely alleviate period cramps by stopping your period altogether. Talk to your OB-GYN about birth control options, including the pill, birth control shot or hormonal IUD. Then, you’ll be able to choose the type of birth control that works best for you.

What is the best tea for cramps?

Drinking chamomile, fennel or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to relieve menstrual cramps. Plus, herbal teas can have other benefits like stress relief and helping with insomnia.

What foods can help with cramps?

Try eating berries, tomatoes, pineapples and spices like turmeric, ginger or garlic. Leafy green vegetables, almonds, walnuts and fatty fish, like salmon, can also help reduce inflammation.

Does massage help with cramps?

In order to most effectively manage period cramps, massage therapy should focus on the abdominal area. But a full body massage that reduces your overall stress may also help to relieve menstrual cramps .

Can endometriosis cause cramps?

The endometrium can affect the entire uterus muscle, but it usually affects one spot. Adenomy osis is a benign condition, but it can cause severe cramps. Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes adenomyosis, but women who’ve had children or undergone uterine surgery have a higher risk of developing it.

Does drinking hot water help with cramps?

Also, drinking hot water can increase blood flow throughout your body and relax your muscles. This can lessen cramps caused by uterine contractions.

What is the best way to relieve period pain?

Birth control methods that contain estrogen and progestin, such as the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring, can be used to treat painful periods. Birth control methods that contain progestin only, such as the birth control implant and the injection, also may reduce period pain.

What are some ways to help with period pain?

Acupuncture, acupressure, and nerve stimulation therapies may be useful for treating painful periods. Physical therapy that eases trigger points also may help with pain. Are there other physical therapies that can help with period pain? Some types of physical therapy teach mental techniques for coping with pain.

How to stop your period from hurting?

Aerobic workouts, such as walking, jogging, biking, or swimming, help produce chemicals that block pain. Apply heat—Taking a warm bath or placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen can be soothing. Sleep—Getting enough sleep before and during your period is important.

What is the best treatment for menstrual cramps?

Certain pain relievers target prostaglandins. These medications, called nonsteroidal anti-inflamma tory drugs (NSAIDs), reduce the prostaglandins made by the body and lessen their effects. This in turn makes menstrual cramps less severe.

How long does it take for a woman to have pain during her period?

More than half of women who menstruate have some pain for 1 to 2 days each month. Usually, the pain is mild. But for some women, the pain is so severe that it keeps them from doing their normal activities for several days a month.

What is the pain that comes before your period?

Primary dysmenorrhea is the cramping pain that comes before or during a period. This pain is caused by natural chemicals called prostaglandins that are made in the lining of the uterus. Prostaglandins cause the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus to contract. On the first day of a period, the level of prostaglandins is high.

Why does my period hurt?

Other conditions—Some medical conditions can flare up during a period and cause pain. These conditions include Crohn’s disease and urinary disorders.

What is the best treatment for menstrual cramps?

Menstrual Pain Treatment. There are different types of treatment. The best way to relieve painful menstrual cramps is to take an anti-inflammatory medication. Ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen are available without a prescription and are effective at blocking the effects of prostaglandins.

How to stop menstrual cramps?

Starting some form of hormonal birth control is another option to control or stop menstrual cramps. This can be a pill, an injection , a transdermal patch, or a hormone-conta ining IUD. These methods can reduce or eliminate the menstrual flow leading to less pain. Menstrual pain home treatment.

What are the chemicals that cause menstrual discomfort?

Prostaglandins are chemicals the body makes that cause many of the symptoms associated with menstrual discomfort. The tissue that lines the uterus makes these chemicals. Prostaglandins stimulate the uterine muscles to contract.

How effective is birth control for menstrual cramps?

Anti-inflammatory drugs are 80% effective at getting rid of menstrual cramps. Hormonal birth control decreases the pain 90% of the time. Cramps also tend to decrease in intensity as you age. Cramps may disappear after your first pregnancy.

How to get rid of cramps during menstruation?

If anti-inflammatory medicine is not an option or if more relief is needed, you can try these things to relieve menstrual cramps: A heating pad to the pelvic area. Massage to the back and lower abdomen. Exercise , especially prior to the start of a period. Thiamine (100 milligrams daily) Low-fat vegetarian diet.

What to ask a doctor about cramps?

The doctor will ask about your medical history, as well as questions about the menstrual pain and symptoms. Be prepared to talk about these details: The timing of the cramps in relation to the start of the period. Type of pain. Your age when the cramps first started. Any recent change in the pain. Irregular periods.

What is it called when you have a cyst in your cervix?

Ovarian cyst. Narrow cervix. If you have had menstrual pain ever since your periods started, the condition is called primary dysmenorrhea. If a physical condition such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis has developed and is causing the pain, this is called secondary dysmenorrhea.

What is the best medication for period pain?

Moderate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) is one of the best ways to curb period pain, Thielen says. This is because NSAIDs reduce the amount of prostaglandins in the body.

How to help with cramps during period?

To help reduce period pain, here are 10 safe and effective home remedies for menstrual cramp relief. 1. Try Some Yoga Poses to Ease Menstrual Pain. Whether it's the stretching of your muscles or the relaxing effect of the poses, a regular yoga practice can indeed help your cramps.

What teas help with menstrual cramps?

Chamomile and peppermint teas are often recommended for menstrual pain because they are calming to the body. Other teas associated with dysmenorrhea are those made from cramp bark, ginger, or fennel. RELATED: Best Teas for Joint Pain Relief. 6.

How to ease cramps from endometriosis?

RELATED: 5 Simple Yoga Moves for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Relief. 2. 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.

How to relieve cramps during menstruation?

Massage With Essential Oils for Pain Relief. Massaging your skin with certain aromatic essential oils can relieve menstrual cramp pain, according to research published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.

What is the term for the pain in the uterus that lasts longer?

Adenomyosis Tissue that normally lines the uterus begins to grow inside the organ’s muscle wall. Pain from these conditions may seem like period pain, but it typically lasts longer and can be more severe than your usual menstrual cramps.

How to get rid of cramps?

10 Home Remedies to Relieve Menstrual Cramps. While period cramps can be painful, there are many ways to help get rid of the pain. A hot water bottle can be just as effective as medication to treat menstrual cramps.

What is the best medication for period cramps?

Take an OTC pain reliever. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin (Bufferin) are effective treatments for period cramps. These medications work best if they’re taken at the first sign of cramps or pain.

How to stop cramps during period?

Using a heated patch or wrap on your abdomen can help relax the muscles of your uterus. It’s these muscles that cause period cramps. Heat can also boost circulation in your abdomen, which can reduce pain.

What essential oils help with cramps?

Oils that seem to be most effective at reducing period cramps, due to their ability to boost circulation, include: lavender. sage. rose.

How long does it take for cramps to go away?

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease the pain and discomfort caused by these pesky cramps. If, however, the pain doesn’t go away after a couple of days, or is so extreme that you have difficulty functioning, be sure to follow up with your doctor. Last medically reviewed on August 6, 2019.

How to get rid of pelvic pain?

5. Soak in a tub. Soaking in a warm bathtub is another way to surround your pelvic muscles with the warmth they need to relax.

Can supplements help with period pain?

While supplements may help ease period pain, it’s also a good idea to avoid certain foods that can cause water retention, bloating, and discomfort. Some types of foods to stay away from when you have cramps include:

Does yoga help with cramps?

suggests that, like aerobic exercise, yoga can also be helpful at reducing period cramps. In this study, experts found that women who participated in a 60-minute yoga class once a week for 12 weeks showed significant reductions in their period pain.

Why is my period so painful?

Is your period is so painful that your life practically stops when you have it? Having extremely painful periods is a sign of an underlying imbalance that can have far-reaching implications for your overall health, not just your reproductive health. Keep reading to find out what causes period pain and what you can do to stop it.

Why does my body hurt during my period?

Pain during menstruation is thought to be caused by prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Together, these compounds are known as eicosanoids. Prostaglandins are a group of hormone-like fats that are made by our cells at sites of tissue damage or infection in the body.

What is the role of leukotrienes in menstrual pain?

Leukotrienes are notorious for their role in allergies and asthma, but leukotriene E 4 may play a specific role in menstrual pain.

What herbs help with cramps?

Herbs like fennel, fenugreek, and cinnamon have well-document benefits for menstrual cramps. One study found that cinnamon works almost as well as ibuprofen for menstrual pain! Ginger is another great anti-inflammatory that works very well for painful periods .

Why do birth control pills cause vaginal dryness?

Because birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots, they can cause permanent side effects (like loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness), and they do nothing to address the root causes of the pain in the first place. Period problems are a message from your body that something is out of balance.

Does estrogen cause periods?

As shown in the diagram above, estrogen increases PGE2 (the pain molecule) by stimulating the COX-2 enzyme. Having too much estrogen will also cause heavy periods, sore breasts, bloating, moodiness, and pretty much all of the things that we hate about periods in the first place!

Does sugar cause period pain?

However, sugar can contribute to period pain by promoting inflammation and insulin resistance. Having insulin resistance means that your insulin levels are too high, and your cells are having a hard time using insulin to put glucose (sugar) into your cells.

Drugs used to treat Period Pain

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Alternative treatments for Period Pain

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Period Pain. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Period Pain.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Khutaija Bano
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Mild cases of primary dysmenorrhoea do not require treatment. Severe cases, and cases of secondary dysmenorrhoea treatment involves medication.
Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Used in relieving pain in primary dysmenorrhea.

Mefenemic acid . Ibuprofen


Oral contraceptives: Improves symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea.

Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone acetate

Procedures

Gynecological surgery: Done to treat underlying causes such as uterine fibroids or other secondary causes.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Lie on the back, and place your legs on a pillow
  • Use a heating pad
  • Gently massage your abdomen
  • Take a warm bath

Specialist to consult

Gynecologist
Specializes in the health of the female reproductive systems and breasts.

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