periods and cramps, what  acutally works to help us ladies ?
88623
There is a prescription call Ponstel that will make your forget you have your period because you won't have cramps at all.
647676
You don't say how old you are and that might affect how your periods are.\n\nOne thing that helps with cramps is to give up caffiene.  No coffee, tea, caffienated sodas and you might have a much easier time.\n\nThere are over the counter meds that work well--Pamprin works pretty well--and your doctor can prescribe stronger medications.  In some cases, birth control pills are prescribed to manage menstrual pain.\n\nOther things you can do?  Use a heating pad (or one of those heating bandages that are out now), gentle exercise such as stretching or walking, and if you're of age a shot of brandy or some other liquor works pretty well.\n\nGood luck.  (You have my sympathies)
321107
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\nNon-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.
273204
Midol or Pamprin is a good starter. Anything ibuprofin will work. Not sure what Midol and Pamprin are made out of.. but my ob/gyn suggest's ibuprofin, *not aleve or tylenol*.\n\nA heating pad or those new stick on warming pads work great!! \n\nGet her out and take a walk. Exercise works wonders for cramps, really. I know you don't feel like doing anything when cramps are bad, so it might be hard to get her out, but give it a try. Sex counts as exercise too. It may not be the first thing to come to mind (especially at that time of the month), but, again, my doctor told me it can really help the cramps.\n\nIf the cramps are really bad, have her lay down on the floor in the doggy stile (I spelled it wrong on purpose because yahoo bleeped it out when I spelled it right.) position, but tuck her knees closer to her chest and get really low to the floor. Not for sex either. After a few minutes, the cramps should let up. Or have her lay on her back and you rub her belly not hard but firmly in circles.\n\nIf worse comes to worse, have her get on birth control. It makes her periods regular and lessens the cramps considerably. \n\nHope I helped, good luck.
913495
Getting cramps can mean a multitude of things.\n\nFirst of all, you should always stretch every day.  This should be done even if you are not going to do any type of organized exercise.\n\nAre you dehydrated?  Drinking more water can help the cramping in your muscles.\n\nAre you breathing correctly when you are walking?  When you breathe in, your stomach should go out so that you fill your diaphram completely.\n\nMaking sure that you get enough potassium in your diet can help.  Try bananas.\n\nIf these things do not work, I recommend consulting your physician.
168343
Here's an old trick that may or may not work for you.  You can try taking 1000 mg. of vitamin C a day - plain Vitamin C *without* rose hips added.\n\nVitamin C can cause smooth muscle cramps, which may stimulate uterine contractions, encouraging early mensturation.\n\nNo guarantee that this will work for you, but it's perfectly safe to try as long as you do *not* take the vitamin in a higher dose than 1000 mg a day.  \n\nThis is best used as an incidental thing  - like if you want your period to start a few days earlier one month.  Also, even if it does work for you, your period may only come a day or two earlier than it normally would.
687115
i get the worst cramps ever. they make me pass out. \n\nfirst off, take a multi vitamin and get enough exercise. your body will function better when its running at its best health.\n\nBefore you start your period eat a lot of big green leafy veggies. get enough potassium. the day before you start take some ibuprophin. i like aleve, it lasts the full 8 hours and its the only thing that helps me. get some of those heat pads that are sticky and made for menstral cramps, you wear them on your undies and they help soooo much.\n\ndont wear tampons, atleast not for the first few days, the pressure will make your cramps worse. \n\nDONT EAT DAIRY! avoid sugary things, which is hard because your pmsing and thats all you want. but dairy esspecially will make cramps worse (when eaten on your period).\n\ngood luck.
948556
I found that a good way to get rid of the cramps is to take a couple extra strength Tylenols.......eat bananas, they are natural pain relievers, trust me, they work for about a half an hour or more of pain relief. Apply heat to the area where it hurts (water bottle, heating pad). Allow her to curl up with a blanket, give her chocolate and bananas, and let her watch a good movie and sleep. They also say drink lots of water and exercise, but I think that's bologna. Lol......if they're really bad, she should talk to the doctor about taking birthcontrol to keep the cramping down :) Hope this helps
332367
7 Tips To Reduce Menstrual Cramps\n\nDid you know that menstrual cramps is the single greatest cause of lost school and working hours among women?\n\nAlso known as dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps are the cause of an estimated 140 million hours of lost school and work. However, you do not have to live in pain. Below are some helpful tips that can help women during this particularly painful time of the month.\n\n1. Try to eat smaller, more frequent meals. A lot of food\ncauses blood sugar to rise and fluctuate. instead of eating three large meals, eat five or six small meals a day, each about two and a half hours apart.\n\n2. Exercise. Exercise can help alleviate menstrual cramps by raising the level of beta-endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain associated with pain relief. Studies have shown that beta endorphins have a positive effect on mood and behavior.\n\n3. Try an over the counter Ibuprofen. Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin IB all contain Ibuprofen, which is one of the best pain relievers around. 200 milligrams every four to six hours is the recommended dosage, or twice that if symptoms warrant.\n\n4. Oral contraceptive pills: Have been found to decrease the amount of menstrual tissue formed and lower the pain level (amplitude) of the uterine contractions.\n\n5. Mefenamic acid: Also found over the counter, effectively relieves severe menstrual pain while also reducing heavy menstrual bleeding, easing menstrual migraine, and easing the\nphysical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.\n\n6. Reduce salt intake: To prevent water retention that causes bloating. Also, avoid liquor and other alcoholic beverages to reduce headaches.\n\n7. Learn to relax. Rest, sleep and relaxation exercises can help reduce the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps. A relaxing massage or bath with oil made with chamomile, lavender, marjoram, ginger and/or clary sage. They are aromatic and can aid in relaxation.\n\nNever surrender to pain. There are steps you can take to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. So, the next time you experience any painful menstruation symptoms, be sure to try these tips.
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.
994565
Birth control pills can help you with cramps, and zits, but a gynecologist can prescribe the best brand.\n\nTell your mom about your cramps and tell her you believe (and I believe) she can can help you with that and take you to the doctor.  She will understand you and take you to the gyn.\n\nIf the gyn does not prescribe birth control pills, may do something even better: to find the cause of your cramps (called dysmenorrhea) with a sonography and some more tests.  Won't be too scary, believe me.
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.
659638
pads can help. if your periods are really heavy, you might need to see a doctor.
933469
Banannas/Yogurt\nAnything with lots of potassium is good....check out some home remedies. Like if you swallow down cumin and salt [drink helluh water down] it will sort of make your menstruation not as...severe?
181208
Heating pads are great. They also sell at the drug store heating patches for mestrual cramps. With me the more active i was the worse they would get and the heavier it would get.\n\nIf it is that bad then u need to discuss it with a physician. There are a lot of options. Hormone therapy (not the birth control pill).\n\nI suffered with the same, but i ended up having a partial hysterectomy. I am pain free and period free. Yipee!!!\n\nThere are solutions. Hope you find yours. Remember all of our bodies are different.\n\nI noticed an answer about saying to get in the tub. No you do not want to get into the tub. That is a good way to get an infection. Way too much temptation for bacteria.\n\nYou could try letting the hot water from the shower spray/massage on your tummy.
529683
I find that I am alot more easily aroused during my period. You know the hormones are jumping all over the place. As suggested above, if you decide to do this, either put down an old towel on the bed first, then lay down on it. You could also do it in the shower, with your partner behind you. While standing, lean forward and have him take you vaginally from behind while the warm water sprays down upon you. It seems to go deeper this way and eases my cramps. Another way to try is on your knees man behind you (doggie style). You can even leave your panties on with pad in them. he can pull them either down or to the side far enough to enter you. If you choose to do this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
1174754
Keep your feet warm. Wear socks and heating pads or cover up with something. \nI hate cramps......\n☺