what to do about period cramps?

Question

I get cramps extreamly bad and i've tried a few medications and they never seem to go away!
Also, do you think it is really easy to tell when a girl is on her period?

Answer 1

I used to have severe cramps and took prescription meds for awhile but then after reading an article in Woman's World, I stopped taking the medications and took calcium supplements. You wouldnt believe the difference. You also might want to try ice instead of heat.

Answer 2

I always have the worst ones on the first day, now I take 2 alleve (spelling) and that does the trick but when I was younger I actually had to have a prescription for cramps b/c they were so bad I would cry. So if nothing over the counter seems to help I would make an appt. with your doctor.

Answer 3

Yes, I think it is easy to tell when someone is on their period. It's weird I know but I just do.

Take pain killers and pray that the cramps go away.

Answer 4

A heating pad on your abdomen helps, I cramp badly too! I don't think you can tell if a girl is on her period by just looking, but if you know pretty well and she seems a bit more cranky than usual it might be a clue!!

Answer 5

I buy those heated pads that you wrap around it fits under you clothes and helps tremendously. I havent found medication that helpsI and up taking four doses of IB profin before it even starts to kick in try those heat pads they seem to help me other wise I feel like I'm going to die. I don't think you can tell if a girl is on her perod unless she makles it obviouse how many girls do you see everyday and say "she must be on her period" you dont so no I don't think so

Answer 6

Taking Tylenol or Midol or Advil starting 1 or 2 days before your period will really really help... also, I never agreed w/ the "expert advice" that exercising while on your period helped (it always made me literally sick), but I think exercising some and stretching a lot in the week before can really help.

Answer 7

Do you have Endometriosis? http://www.centerforendo.com, http://www.endocenter.org.

Almost all menstruating women experience some cramping during their periods, referred to as either primary dysmenorrhea, which refers to "normal" menstrual pain, or secondary dysmenorrhea, which arises as a result of an underlying disease or disorder. The condition is among the leading complaint in women who present to their physicians for gynecologic pain. More than half of all menstruating women have pain associated with menses, and studies have shown that dysmenorrhea is one of the most common reasons women miss work and/or school. Nearly 10% of women with the condition are incapacitated for up to three days each month[1].

"Normal" menstrual cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of hormones known as prostaglandins. These are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which cause the uterus to contract, sometimes quite painfully, in order to expel the menstrual debris. Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. Increased prostaglandin production can also cause the distressing gastrointestinal symptoms some women may experience. Primary dysmenorrhea most commonly occurs within a few years of menarche (a woman’s first period), while secondary dysmenorrhea can occur years after the onset of menarche.

Pain with primary dysmenorrhea usually begins on or about the first day of a woman’s period and can last up to 72 hours. In a woman with secondary dysmenorrhea, she may have painful symptoms occurring a week or more prior to her period and lasting even after her flow has stopped. In the case of a woman who has secondary dysmenorrhea, there are other reasons for her pain, including diseases or conditions like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, or similar concern.

Dysmenorrhea can be diagnosed based on symptoms, patient history, physical findings, and when appropriate, diagnostic tests such as vaginal or pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy (an examination of the inside of the uterus) and/or hysterosalpingogram (an evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes). In cases of secondary dysmenorrhea, laparoscopic surgery can be very beneficial at affording a diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause. Symptoms often include painful pelvic or abdominal cramping, headache, suprapubic cramping (an area of the pelvis overlying the bladder), backache, pain radiating down into the thigh area, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea and even syncope (a temporary of consciousness). Upon physical exam, those with primary dysmenorrhea exhibit normal vital signs and a tender uterus, but no cervical or ovarian abnormalities. Patients with secondary dysmenorrhea may exhibit varied vital signs depending on the underlying cause and may be found to have tenderness, nodules, and/or enlargement of the uterosacral ligaments, the rectovaginal septum or other adnexa (the region of the pelvis that encompasses the ovary, fallopian tube and surrounding broad ligament).

Treatment options are based on the underlying cause of the pain (primary v. secondary dysmenorrhea) and range from medical to alternative therapies. Commonly, Non-Steroidal Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen may be recommended to help with cramping, and more recently, COX-2 inhibitors have also been approved for treatment of dysmenorrhea. Prescription painkillers may also be recommended where appropriate. Combination (ethynylestradiol and progestin) oral contraceptives can also help reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating the cramps. Heating pads can also offer temporary resolve of the pain. Avoidance of smoking (which has been shown increase cramps) and reduced intake or total avoidance of salt, sugar, high fat and dairy products, alcohol and caffeine can also afford relief, as can increasing the intake of fiber, calcium and complex carbohydrates. Recent studies also indicate that Vitamin B6 complex, calcium and magnesium supplements, and Omega III fatty acids (fish oil supplements) also may help relieve cramping. Pelvic massage, exercise (which releases endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers), Yoga (the cat stretch and the pelvic tilt), visualization techniques, aromatherapy, acupuncture and herbs like Dong Quai, Ginseng, Stragalus root, Ligusticum root and White Peony root are also said to be helpful alternative techniques for managing the pain.

If Endometriosis or another disorder is the underlying or secondary cause for dysmenorrhea, you will benefit most from having the disease diagnosed and effectively removed. It is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause. Pain that is crippling or incapacitating is never normal and should be investigated as soon as possible so that appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be rendered.

Reference:
[1] Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87(1):55-58.

Answer 8

assuming you are over 21 years of age, my gf used to get a shot of blackberry brandy, she said that worked for her and worked for her mother, too. my gf used to get cranky because of the pain.

Answer 9

omg i do too-i take midol like its going out of style-then i lay on my side curled up and cry