Sunday, May 26, 2013

Painful menstrual periods

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Menstruation - painful; Dysmenorrhea; Periods - painful; Cramps - menstrual; Menstrual cramps


Home Care

The following steps may allow you to avoid prescription medications:

  • Apply a heating pad to your lower abdomen (below your belly button). Be careful NOT to fall asleep with the heating pad on.
  • Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower abdomen.
  • Drink warm beverages.
  • Eat light but frequent meals.
  • Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine.
  • Keep your legs elevated while lying down, or lie on your side with your knees bent.
  • Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
  • Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen. Start taking it the day before your period is expected to start, and continue taking it regularly for the first few days of your period.
  • Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is from PMS.
  • Take warm showers or baths.
  • Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.
  • Lose weight if you are overweight.

If these self-care measures do not work, your doctor may prescribe medications such as:

  • Antibiotics
  • Antidepressants
  • Birth control pills
  • Prescription anti-inflammatory medicines such as meclofenamate (Meclomen)
  • Prescription pain relievers (including narcotics such as codeine, for brief periods)

Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor right away if:

  • Vaginal discharge is increased in amount or is foul-smelling.
  • You have a fever.
  • Your pain is significant, your period is more than one week late, and you have been sexually active.
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Review Date: 09/02/2009
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)