whats the deal with cramps?
88936
ibprophin, bananas, and excercise regularly ...I dont know why we get cramps its lame
101409
That's normal- I have the same thing, not bad cramps, just a pain in the side.  It means you are ovulating.
632078
Talk to a doctor. You don't have to suffer. Your doctor can prescribe something for the cramps and PMS.
876830
Advil, a hot bath, a hot water bottle or masturbation/sex. Orgasms are good for cramps.
340950
The muscles of the uterus and intestines are called smooth muscles.  They are close together in your abdomen.  My doctor told me that when one is contracting it can and often does cause all other smooth muscles it is in contact with to begin contracting as well.  So yes, this can/will happen with cramps during menstruation.
548268
So many things could be causing your cramp.  Aloe Vera is very soothing to both the stomach and the nerves.  I would try adding 1/2 cup of the juice to orange juice and drinking that a couple of times daily.  You could also visit an herb store near you and get muscle tested to discover what is causing the problem.
771139
The best pain relief I have found for cramps is motrin.  Yes you can take it.
182659
Typically leg cramping is caused by a tendency for the muscle to be a little tighter that it should.  The more common reason is if there is an imbalance of the electrolytes in your blood stream.  Calcium/magnesium supplements can help, as well as drinking more water and stretching.
364365
I get cramps the day before my period is about to come. My friends goes through weird food craving.  I think it all depends on how you PMS.
217939
I researched your problems. I came up with this thing, and you might have menorrhagia. Although I have a heavy period, my cramps probably aren't nearly as bad as yours. You should go to a OB/GYN and schedule an appointment to see if you have that.\n\nHere's the website:\n\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menorrhagia/DS00394/DSECTION=2\n\nI'm glad I could be of help!\nCrystal. <3
942001
It is basically a cramp. Muscles tensing up for lack of oxygen or blood flow to meet increased demand.\n\nA\nhttp://www.drhowell.net
38453
If you weren't having a killer cramp, I would say that you might have an anxiety disorder.  It really sounds like you should see a doctor because there are a lot of things that can present those symptoms. Can you tell me where the cramp is? I have many medical books or you might want to research it on a medical website.
526566
Depends on how bad the pain is...is it debilitating pain that interferes with your normal activities?  That could be a sign of a problem like endometriosis, and you would need to see a doctor about it.  But if it's just cramps, there are a few things you can try.  Hot water bottles or heating pads on the lower abdomen sometimes help.  PMS medications like Midol work for some women, usually better than Tylenol or other ordinary pain meds.  Sometimes exercise helps.  I've had good luck with homeopathic blue cohosh--if you have a natural foods store that sells herbs, you can talk to someone there to see what they recommend for menstrual cramps.  And sometimes cramps get better if you go on the Pill, if that's an option for you. \n\nIf nothing helps, it would be a good idea to talk to a doctor.  They can see if there's something wrong and possibly prescribe something to help the pain.  Here's a link about endometriosis so you can see if it sounds like what you're experiencing.
922767
when a cramp occurs, go to the middle of the belly of the muscle. \n\nPlace your fingers about 2 inches apart, in the middle of the muscle, with your fingers and hands parallel with the muscle.\n\nPush the middle parts of the muscle towards each other, as though you were trying to shorten the muscle. Dig in a bit, be quite firm about this. \n\nKeep it up until the pain stops. Keep repeating this on any muscle or part of the muscle that is cramping.\n\nThis can give almost immediate relief. You may be surprised at how fast this works!\n\nIf you are still unsure of what I am saying, attend a "Touch for Health" weekend seminar, where you will learn this technique. (It's called "unblocking the muscle"). See www.tfhka.org or your local health food store for details.
714299
You could use a heating pad, or take a hot bath.  This will help relax the muscles ease the pain of the cramps.  Good luck.
310300
Almost all women have some cramping during their periods, classified as either primary dysmenorrhea (which refers to "normal" menstrual pain) or secondary dysmenorrhea (which is a result of an underlying disease or disorder).\n\n"Normal" cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of prostaglandins, which are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract (sometimes quite painfully) in order to expel the menstrual debris (and henceforth, start the period). Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. \n\nHOWEVER, killer cramps are NOT normal and are in most cases due to secondary dysmenorrhea. Most frequently this is because of a disease or disorder like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, etc. If your cramping disables you, see your gyn to talk about options.\n\nI know you said 'no meds,' but non-steroidal inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen may help relieve cramping...your doc can also prescribe oral contraceptives that will prevent ovulation and reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating cramping. \n\nUse of heating pads, avoidance of salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine, intake of vitamin B6, calcium and magnesium supplements, and pelvic massage are all said to be helpful as well. \n\nIt is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause. Pain that is crippling is never normal and should be investigated ASAP so that appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be rendered. Hope that helps.
1095776
I take advil which is the only pain killer that will take away my cramps. Try taking a hot shower letting the water hit your lower back. Also heating pads on your lower abdomen can help soothe. But nothing will really take away the pain except pain killers.