references
Office on Women’s Health. “Period problems”
StatPearls: “Acetaminophen Toxicity”
Scientific Reports: “Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy menstrual bleeding”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “Exercise for dysmenorrhoea”
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Efficacy of Oral Ginger (Zingiber officianle) for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. “Evaluation of mint efficacy regarding dysmenorrhea in comparison with mefenamic acid: A double blinded randomized crossover study”
Journal of Sleep Research: Menstrual regularity and bleeding is associated with sleep duration, sleep quality and fatigue in a community sample
BMC Women's Health: Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
Exercise that feels good to you may help relieve period cramps.
Image Credit: Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision/GettyImages
Image Credit: Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision/GettyImages
- NSAIDs
- Acetaminophen
- Heating Pad
- Warm Shower or Bath
- Diet Changes
- Herbal Tea
- Exercise
- Rest
- Hormonal Birth Control
- Prescription Meds
- When to See a Doctor
Take NSAIDs for period cramps to help reduce inflammation and tame pain.
Image Credit: Grace Cary/Moment/GettyImages
Image Credit: Grace Cary/Moment/GettyImages
Find a comfortable position and apply heat to reduce period pain.
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/GettyImages
Hold the bubbles when you're dealing with menstrual cramps.
Image Credit: Oscar Wong/Moment/GettyImages
Image Credit: Oscar Wong/Moment/GettyImages
Stock up on ginger and mint tea bags, or make your own cuppa by pouring hot water over ginger slices or mint leaves.
Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages
Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages
Don’t Avoid Exercise During Your Periods, Modify It
Laying low can help with period cramps.
Image Credit: David-Prado/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: David-Prado/iStock/GettyImages
Talk to your doctor to see if an Rx is right for you.
Image Credit: Solskin/DigitalVision/GettyImages
Image Credit: Solskin/DigitalVision/GettyImages
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Office on Women’s Health. “Period problems”
StatPearls: “Acetaminophen Toxicity”
Scientific Reports: “Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy menstrual bleeding”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “Exercise for dysmenorrhoea”
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “Efficacy of Oral Ginger (Zingiber officianle) for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. “Evaluation of mint efficacy regarding dysmenorrhea in comparison with mefenamic acid: A double blinded randomized crossover study”
Journal of Sleep Research: Menstrual regularity and bleeding is associated with sleep duration, sleep quality and fatigue in a community sample
BMC Women's Health: Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study
