{"id":62555,"date":"2024-01-11T16:32:37","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T21:32:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62555"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:16:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:16:11","slug":"what-to-take-for-period-cramps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-to-take-for-period-cramps\/","title":{"rendered":"What to take for period cramps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many women experience some kind of pain or discomfort when they menstruate, whether it’s in the form of <\/span>headaches<\/span><\/a>, lower back pain, or an <\/span>upset stomach<\/span><\/a>. But of all the usual aches and pains associated with menstruation, period cramps may be the most common: <\/span>More than half of all menstruating women have cramps<\/span><\/a> right before or during the first few days of their period. When period pain is severe enough to interfere with your life, that’s known as dysmenorrhea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Menstrual cramps are caused by the same muscle contractions that prompt the uterus to shed its lining and initiate your period. Those muscle cramps can vary from mild to severe, however, and many women find it hard to go about their daily lives without taking something to relieve their symptoms. <\/span><\/p>\n

In general, taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are the most effective way to <\/span>treat painful periods<\/span><\/a>. But there are other remedies, too, including herbal teas and supplements. Here are some of the things you can try to relieve cramps during your period.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for period cramps<\/span><\/h2>\n

Two types of OTC pain relievers work well to relieve symptoms of period cramps: <\/span>naproxen<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, says <\/span>Monte Swarup, MD, FACOG<\/span><\/a>, an Arizona gynecologist and founder of HPV Hub. Naproxen is usually sold as brand-name <\/span>Aleve<\/span><\/a>, while ibuprofen is sold as either <\/span>Advil<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Motrin<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both of these medications are <\/span>nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<\/span><\/a> with relatively low-risk profiles, meaning they’re safe for most people to take as directed. People with certain GI disorders, people with kidney or liver disease, and people with a history of heart disease <\/span>may not be able to safely take NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>, however. <\/span><\/p>\n

People who can’t take NSAIDs may also find some relief from menstrual pain by taking <\/span>Tylenol <\/span><\/a>(<\/span>acetaminophen<\/span><\/a>), which is a <\/span>pain reliever and fever reducer but not an NSAID<\/span><\/a>. However, NSAIDs are generally considered the more effective option. According to a comprehensive <\/span>review of studies and clinical trials<\/span><\/a> published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, NSAIDs were better for period pain relief than a placebo and also more effective than acetaminophen.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to that same review, the reason NSAIDs work better for period pain is because they target that pain at its source. Women with more severe menstrual cramps usually have higher levels of hormones called prostaglandins, which are <\/span>responsible for causing uterine cramping during your period<\/span><\/a>. NSAIDs block prostaglandin production, leading to less cramping.<\/span><\/p>\n

Herbal remedies for period cramps<\/span><\/h2>\n

There may be some benefit to treating period cramps with certain herbal remedies added to your diet. Although <\/span>herbal medicine may be an effective way to relieve menstrual cramps<\/span><\/a>, quality research is lacking, so <\/span>evidence is limited<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone considering supplements should discuss their plans with their primary care provider to make sure they are safe. If you’re considering using herbal remedies to treat your period cramps, here are some of the more common ones you might want to ask your provider about:<\/span><\/p>\n