Relieving Menstrual Pain
Topic Overview
Menstrual cramps can cause mild discomfort to severe pain in the
lower abdomen, back, or thighs. The pain usually starts right before or in the
beginning of your period. During this time, you may also have headaches,
diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, or fainting.
Not
every woman has menstrual pain, but it can be a normal part of how the body
works.
To help relieve menstrual cramps:
- Apply heat to your abdomen with a heating pad
or hot water bottle, or take a warm bath. You might find that heat relieves the
pain as well as medicine does.
- Lie down and elevate your legs by
putting a pillow under your knees.
- Lie on your side and bring your
knees up to your chest. This will help relieve back pressure.
- Try
using pads instead of tampons.
- Get regular exercise.
You might find that it helps relieve pain.
Over-the-counter medicine usually
relieves menstrual pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as
ibuprofen, help relieve menstrual cramps and pain.
- Start taking the recommended dose of pain reliever when discomfort
begins or 1 day before your menstrual period starts.
- Take the
medicine for as long as the symptoms would normally last if you did not take
the medicine.
- If an NSAID does not
relieve the pain, try acetaminophen, such as Tylenol.
Be sure to follow all labels and
instructions. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, talk to your
doctor before using any medicine. Do not take ASA if you are younger than 20 because of the risk of
Reye syndrome.
Prescription medicine is a good choice if over-the-counter
medicine does not bring you relief. Birth control hormones help relieve
menstrual pain and lighten bleeding for most women.1
They also prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about trying the
birth control pill, patch, or ring. With most types of hormone birth control,
you take the hormones every day for 3 weeks, then take a week off. This is when
you might get a menstrual period. There are some types of pills that you can
take over 3 months, or even every day of the year. With these, you might have
unexpected spotting or bleeding, especially during the first year.
Other Places To Get Help
Organization
| Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
(SOGC) |
| 780 Echo Drive |
| Ottawa, ON K1S 5R7 |
| Phone: | 1-800-561-2416
(613) 730-4192 |
| Fax: | (613) 730-4314 |
| Email: | helpdesk@sogc.com |
| Web Address: | www.sogc.org |
| |
The mission of SOGC is to promote optimal women's
health through leadership, collaboration, education, research, and advocacy in
the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. |
|
References
Citations
- Colin CM, Shushan A (2007). Complications of
menstruation; Abnormal uterine bleeding. In AH DeCherney, et al., eds.,
Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 570–578. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Other Works Consulted
- Katz VL, et al. (2007). Primary and secondary
dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In LO
Eckert, GM Lentz, eds., Comprehensive Gynecology, 5th
ed., pp. 901–913. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
- Lefebvre G, et al. (2005). Primary dysmenorrhea
consensus guideline. SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline No. 169. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 27(12):
1117–1130.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
| Last Revised | May 9, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
May 9, 2011
Colin CM, Shushan A (2007). Complications of
menstruation; Abnormal uterine bleeding. In AH DeCherney, et al., eds.,
Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 570–578. New York: McGraw-Hill.
