Bad cramps....what will stop them?

Question

My cramps are horrible! Everyone insists on me gettin on the mini pill, but I have been told they have bad side effects? What are some of them? Also what are some easy alternatives to soothing my cramos before they start and once they've started?

Answer 1

Calcium/magnesium: An excellent supplement to help alleviate cramping and muscle spasms. It helps to maintain good muscle tone. Magnesium increases the absorption of calcium in the body. Calcium/magnesium may also help in reducing breast tenderness. Some women have found that chewing calcium supplements during their period helps with pain control.

Vitamin E: Good for reproductive organ health and function.
Vitamin B complex: Helps to reduce premenstrual tension. In some instances, taking brewer's yeast has decreased the severity of menstrual discomfort, including depression. Some research suggests that menstruation may cause a functional deficiency of vitamin B6.

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: Help to strengthen blood vessels and capillary walls in the uterus.
iron: Make sure if you suffer from heavy periods that you are not suffering from an iron deficiency.

Chamomile is an herbal relaxant. Drink a cup of chamomile tea as needed.

The Chinese herb dong quai helps to regulate the menstrual cycle by balancing female hormones. When taken for a few months, it will help alleviate cramping, particularly when taken in combination with red raspberry leaf. Begin by taking 40 drops of dong quai tincture, or dong quai and red raspberry leaf combination formula, twice daily, from Day 6 through Day 20 of the menstrual cycle (calculated from the first day of menstrual bleeding). Continue taking 40 drops, twice daily, for three weeks. If the cycle is irregular, take the herbs for two to three weeks out of every month, and repeat this program for at least three menstrual cycles. Do not take this remedy during the menstrual period itself, however.

A hot ginger-tea compress placed on the lower abdomen helps to relax muscle cramping. Boil 6 ounces of fresh ginger root in 1 quart of water for fifteen to twenty minutes, and dip a washcloth or hand towel in the tea. You can either place the saturated cloth directly on the abdomen, or wrap it first with a dry cloth. Ginger is warming and increases circulation in the lower abdomen. This compress will feel like a deep heating rub.

True cramp bark, a little-known botanical, is effective in treating menstrual cramps. Take 1 cup of true cramp bark tea, twice daily, for three days before the expected onset of the menstrual period, and 1 cup, three times daily, during the menstrual period if cramping occurs.

Prepare a soothing herbal bath. Mix 1 quart of strong chamomile tea and 1 quart of ginger tea with warm to hot bath water, and enjoy a leisurely soak.

Answer 2

I really don't know about the pill, but I have had horrible cramps for 10 years. However, I have started taking Evening Primrose Oil (it can be found at any health food store, or even WalMart) consistently when I'm not on my period. When I'm on my period I stop. It has helped immensly, and I"m pretty sure it's completely safe. If I do happen to get cramps, I use a heating pad and Extra Strength Excedrin Migraine (Pamprin and Midol don't work on me anymore).

Answer 3

i had read youre question about how to take care of the cramps that youre having . well i wouldnt take any other dangrous medicans like mini pills ? cause you might not know what can do to youre health. so i can tell you that you should try get something like Motrin caplets or advil safe medicans that i had try before theyre do help calm down the bad cramps and there are also a new medican for headache, back pains, fever, cramps , etc.. its call the Pamprin its also safe and does control the pains . i buy the good price at costco store.

Answer 4

A heating pad and drinking lots of camomile tea. Pills are not good they make other symptoms worst and create other complications. I don't know what they are but A body should get taken care of with natural remedy's and alternative's. Everybody's body is different so what works for some may not work for other's before makeing a choice always check with your doctor.

Answer 5

Been there, done that.

birth control can help with cramps, but be careful which one you use, cuz your body doesnt react to each one equally. i took ortho-tricyclen and it made me feel as if i were going through menopause (i was 20 at the time, 24 now) ortho cyclen was alright though no mood swings but serious weight gain-- big problem. i'd deal with the cramps instead.

what worked for me is therma care heat pads. they really, REALLY work and relax the ab. muscles. while most people say excersing works, it never did for me because i was in too much pain!

bottom line, i'd skip the pill if you can and stick with the heat pads . your body just needs to do it's thing, we're just a select few who get to endure the pain that goes with it (yay us:-)).

Answer 6

Excercise, sex....

More immediate things is to get ibuprofen or tylenol into your system before you expect the cramps to hit and take regular doses of it. Avoid caffeine.

I take Yasmin because I would faint when I had my cramps, and it's been wonderful.

Answer 7

i have really bad cramps too, my mom gave me some medicine that was prescribed to her after she had a baby that was supposed to help with the cramps and it worked for me,. talk to a doctor about it.

Answer 8

put a heating pad or a hot water bottle on ur tummy. soaking in a tub of hot water helps.