Cure for Menstrual Cramps
The best treatment is anti-inflammatory drugs. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and ketoprofen (Orudis), which are available over-the-counter.
These drugs block or neutralize prostaglandins. They work best if taken before your period starts. If one doesn’t relieve your pain, try another, as the dosage varies from person to person.
If you have stomach or kidney problems, talk to your doctor before taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
Taking hormonal birth control is another way to stop menstrual cramps. These can come in the form of pills, injections, or an IUD that contains hormones. This can help relieve or eliminate the pain.
Home remedies and treatments for menstrual cramps
- Heating pads in the pelvic area
- Back and lower abdominal massage
- Exercise, especially before your period starts
- Thiamine (100 mg/day)
- Low-fat vegetable diet
- Calcium (1200 mg/day)
Surgery for menstrual cramps
Sometimes your menstrual cramps are caused by fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis. Then surgery may be needed:
- D&C: A procedure used to remove uterine polyps
- Laparoscopy: Used to treat ovarian cysts and pelvic endometriosis
- Endometrial ablation: This procedure destroys the lining of the uterus
- Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy: This surgical procedure removes the entire uterus
Other Treatments
If you are not using this treatment due to health problems or a lack of response to birth control pills, other options include:
- Acupuncture
- Nitroglycerin
- Wearing a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator): A small electrical device that interferes with pain messages as they travel to the brain
Preventing menstrual cramps
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke
- Don’t drink too much alcohol
- Exercise regularly
- Anti-inflammatory medications are often effective 80% of the time. Hormonal birth control pills reduce pain 90% of the time
It should be noted that these cramps and contractions also decrease with age. After a woman’s first pregnancy, the cramps disappear completely.
