anyone have ideas for getting rid of menstral cramps?
94022
Try an otc pain reliever.
212463
if you have cramps, laying down with a heating pad is really nice.  You can buy them in a pharmacy, or department store.  Also, you may want to look into birth control pills, which seem to help many women cut down some of the PMS symptoms...
1138620
Do you have Endometriosis?\n\nTreatment options are based on the underlying cause of the pain (primary v. secondary dysmenorrhea) and range from medical to alternative therapies.  Commonly, Non-Steroidal Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen may be recommended to help with cramping, and more recently, COX-2 inhibitors have also been approved for treatment of dysmenorrhea.  Prescription painkillers may also be recommended where appropriate.  Combination (ethynylestradiol and progestin) oral contraceptives can also help reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating the cramps.  Heating pads can also offer temporary resolve of the pain.  Avoidance of smoking (which has been shown increase cramps) and reduced intake or total avoidance of salt, sugar, high fat and dairy products, alcohol and caffeine can also afford relief, as can increasing the intake of fiber, calcium and complex carbohydrates.  Recent studies also indicate that Vitamin B6 complex, calcium and magnesium supplements, and Omega III fatty acids (fish oil supplements) also may help relieve cramping.  Pelvic massage, exercise (which releases endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers), Yoga (the cat stretch and the pelvic tilt), visualization techniques, aromatherapy, acupuncture and herbs like Dong Quai, Ginseng, Stragalus root, Ligusticum root and White Peony root are also said to be helpful alternative techniques for managing the pain.\n\nDerived from the Greek words dys, meaning “difficult,” meno, meaning monthly, and rrhea, meaning “flow,” dysmenorrhea is the term used to describe painful menstrual cramping.\n\nAlmost all menstruating women experience some cramping during their periods, referred to as either primary dysmenorrhea, which refers to "normal" menstrual pain, or secondary dysmenorrhea, which arises as a result of an underlying disease or disorder.  The condition is among the leading complaint in women who present to their physicians for gynecologic pain.  More than half of all menstruating women have pain associated with menses, and studies have shown that dysmenorrhea is one of the most common reasons women miss work and/or school.  Nearly 10% of women with the condition are incapacitated for up to three days each month[1].\n\n"Normal" menstrual cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of hormones known as prostaglandins.  These are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which cause the uterus to contract, sometimes quite painfully, in order to expel the menstrual debris.  Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more.  Increased prostaglandin production can also cause the distressing gastrointestinal symptoms some women may experience.  Primary dysmenorrhea most commonly occurs within a few years of menarche (a woman’s first period), while secondary dysmenorrhea can occur years after the onset of menarche.\n\nPain with primary dysmenorrhea usually begins on or about the first day of a woman’s period and can last up to 72 hours.  In a woman with secondary dysmenorrhea, she may have painful symptoms occurring a week or more prior to her period and lasting even after her flow has stopped.  In the case of a woman who has secondary dysmenorrhea, there are other reasons for her pain, including diseases or conditions like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, or similar concern.\n\nDysmenorrhea can be diagnosed based on symptoms, patient history, physical findings, and when appropriate, diagnostic tests such as vaginal or pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy (an examination of the inside of the uterus) and/or hysterosalpingogram (an evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes).  In cases of secondary dysmenorrhea, laparoscopic surgery can be very beneficial at affording a diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause.
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.
473364
No, sadly this is a myth. Lemon and chile do not cause cramps during your period; the lemon would probably irritate the mouth whilst the chile irritates the stomach. Thankfully, chocolate is actually useful when one has mentrual cramps or any type of pain such as headaches. On the contrary, chocolate acts as a natural painkiller quelling those painful cramps.\n\nThere are some foods that make cramps more painful. The most noteworthy one is caffeine. That means if you want a less painful cycle cut out the coffee, coca cola, dr pepper or any of those caffeine containing drinks.\n\nI hope this helps=)
825708
Midol if the pain is mild. Ibofuren does help, & a heating pads always good. When I have cramps though, i usually, take (depending on how bad the pain is ) midol/tylenol/ibofuren ( i no i speled it wrong)  & i avoid chocolate & wat not. Also afte ru take the medicine, get a heatin pad & lay down, & fall asleep (listen to calming music) & iyou pray (it reallllllyyy works) . YOu can take birth control pills, but reallly, dependin on each individuals body..it doesnt help much.
1183274
i used to have those period pains before, but now that i have changed my lifestyle i'm doing better.\ni exercise regularly and drink a lot of water, i don't know if it will work for you but it worked for me.\ndon't drink midol!!! this dug has side effects(or worse) .
536597
Potassium helps with leg cramps sometimes.  Eat bananas or get some pills...
501813
Evening primrose oil capsules! Get them in your pharmacy!#\nSeriously they are a godsend. They lighten the flow and take away the cramps. Honestly!! Try them out!\nPs - yes its normal to bleed more when active.
323018
You poor thing.  Rest, relax, take some aspirin or Midol, use a heating pad.  If none of these helps, consider some vigorous exercise -- some people swear it works.  My periods were kind of rough when I was young; I got into the habit of playing the piano extra-hard, it worked every time.
303944
Take anti-inflammatory tablets like ibuprofen regularly. Stronger painkillers like codeine are pretty good as well. If you have really bad period pains, see your doctor, who can put you on mefenamic acid which is very effective in reducing both pain and bleeding. You could also consider going on the contraceptive pill, which tends to make periods lighter and less painful. \n\nOther, less chemical suggestions, would be to try to do some gentle exercise - I know it's the last thing you feel like doing, but it really does help. Heat pads, hot water bottles etc can be helpful as well, as can a hot bath. \n\nOne last suggestion........I've heard ;) that masturbating can really help with period pains!
1131965
try chewable motrin. i have serious cramps too and i take 2 extra strength tylenol every 4-6 hours those days i have cramps. it helps a lot. i think you should try to learn how to swallow pills. you probably will need to in the future so better to learn now, but try a chewable version of a pain reliever\n\ngood luck
780144
Actually, for me it's a lot more simple than anything like prescription pain medication.  All I do is go to my local Herb Store, there you will find these tablets that dissolve under your tongue.  There is one that will either be labeled PMS or Cramps.  They work wonders.  I've had Endometriosis for 6 years, and that's the ONLY thing that will help me other than Magnesium tablets.  They are supposed to be a natural muscle relaxer.  Just be careful, the magnesium will make the IBS symptoms that the endometriosis causes worse.  Hope you feel better!
99001
Try to eat right and do cardio exercising, preferably before your cycle (for obvious reasons). This will cut down on cramps.
1182615
I agree with all the other answers. I used to get horrible cramps, the kind that made me want to passout, I found that Tylenol menstrual/Midol or any pain reliever, doing some light jogging, and a heating pad after my jog worked really well. Even though exercising seems like the last thing you want to do, getting those muscles working helps loosen them up so that you don't have that "cramping" feeling. That's why as another person suggested "orgasms" help because they cause the muscles in your uterus to move and loosen or uncramp. Good luck!
143437
you need to talk to your Dr. about this!  Maybe its as simple as being put on birth control (which help a lot of people with painful cramps) but it could be something else-- who knows??\n\nAlso exercise is supposed to help- try to do a 30minute walk every day you have them- or even if you know when you will get your period (if you are regular) start the day BEFORE you get it\n\nbut definately ask your Dr.\n\nMine get pretty bad on the first day- I take 3 200mg advil and buy those sticky heat pads- and that usually really helps, but I guess everyone is different
863088
Ibuprofen and advil are much better options than tylenol. I used to get horrible cramps that could get so bad that I'd stay home puking. If midol isn't working for you, I'd try pamprin, it works better for some people. If your cramps are absolutely unbearable, I'd talk to your doctor or gyno about getting onto birth control.  There is a hormone in the pill that helps.  I was only thirteen when I started them but they helped the cramping incredibly.\n\nTaking long, hot, steamy baths and showers provide temporary relief from cramps. Heating pads also help a lot of people. If you are at home and inactive (watching tv, reading, resting,etc.) a hot water bottle on your belly works the best. Gently rubbing the area about half a centimeter away from the place that hurts most in gentle circular motions can also help.\n\nAlthough it may be the last thing you feel like doing, excersise is important-at this time of the month especially. Just walking around your house can help. When I was younger and in school, I used to walk in the hallways between classes as much as possible. It may hurt more at first, but ultimately it will help. Excersise releases endomorphins into your body that relax your muscles more.\nIf you are in too much pain to get up and about, lie on your back and slowly raise your legs above you and back down to the bed. \n\nLastly, eating healthy will reduce your cramps immensly. Avoid salty foods. When you have a craving though, even for potato chips, don't ignore it- treat yourself in small portions. Hot teas (not coffees) also help with cramping.\n\nUnfortunatelly, cramping is something we all have to go through. Good luck and hoped my tips help!