How to Reduce Pain and Suffering from Menstrual Cramps

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, is something that almost every woman will experience at some point in her life. While some women suffer little to no discomfort, there are others who experience such severe pain that it leads to them calling out of work or school. The reason why cramps occur is due to prostaglandins, hormones produced to stimulate contractions of the uterus. Here are some tips and techniques to avoid and treat cramps.

Rule out medical conditions.
There are a couple of medical conditions that cause severe cramps that should be ruled out before you can attempt to treat yourself. If you suffer from either of these issues you should seek your doctors advice for more specific instructions on how to help alleviate pain, although some of these remedies may work as well. The first issue is endometriosis, which is a medical condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb. This is an incredibly painful condition that as many as 10-15 percent of women suffer from, and is one of the leading causes of infertility. The second medical condition to be ruled out are fibroids, benign growths in or outside the womb. Often, these will be left alone and will take care of themselves in time, but once in awhile they may need to be removed. This decision is dependent on the size, location, and your doctor's opinion. Once you have ruled out these two issues, you most likely are suffering from basic menstrual cramps and should consider one of the next options.

Heat
Heating pads and hot water bottles are two of the easiest and most basic remedies that doctors still recommend today. If you can, taking a hot or warm bath as this may also help alleviate some pain, if you have a whirlpool or hot tub (or access to one) the combination of the heat and the jets is divine. If you are at work and can not lay down with a heating pad, CVS and other drugstores now sell adhesive heating pads that you can wear under your clothes which may provide some relief.

Lifestyle changes.
Some basic lifestyle changes may greatly decrease that severity of your cramps on a monthly basis. For instance, regular exercise, even when you are on your period is a great remedy. Women who exercise regularly (30-60 minutes of moderate aerobic activity 3 times per week) report less cramping, bloating, and breast tenderness than sedentary women. Stress, sleep, and diet all affect your hormones and thus the severity of your cramps. Many people stand by the fact that orgasms also help relieve pain.

Supplements
There are a plethora of supplements and herbs that doctors and naturopaths suggest may help ease cramps. You should double check with your doctor to make sure none of these interfere with any other medications you take beforehand. Evening primrose, krill oil, chaste tree, cramp bark, and black cohosh are all examples of supplements and herbs which may help you. The problem with many of these lies in that you need to be taking them consistently for a few weeks before your period is due in order for them to help you. Basic vitamins like vitamin B3 (Niacin), Magnesium, and Vitamin E all have been linked to a reduction in cramping. There has been some suggestion that even drinking some types of herbal teas, such as ginger and mint, as well as topically applying peppermint and olive oil to one's abdomen may provide relief during your period.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
These over-the-counter drugs (such as ibuprofen) are currently the best attack we have for cramps. Ibuprofen lowers the level of the hormone prostaglandin. The combination of oral anti-inflammatory with heat is the best line of attack we have today.

Medical studies
Currently, there is a medical study in the United States to test the drug Viagra (used for male erectile dysfunction) to treat menstrual cramping. Viagra relaxes the smooth muscles and may prove to be a great benefit to women in the future, but for the time being the only prescription drug which may prove to be beneficial for some women is birth control. Birth control thins the lining of the uterus and for some women may ease monthly cramps.

Sources: Pan, Dr. Cindy and Hechtman, Leah. "The GP and the naturopath your HEALTH". South Australia Sunday Mail. June 14, 2009. Supplement, pg. 3

Roberts, Robin and Savard, Dr. Marie. "Stop Cramping your style". Good Morning America (ABC). Transcript of October 14, 2009 show.