Relieve Menstrual Cramps Without Painkillers

If you're anything like me, your menstrual cramps don't go away by popping the common over-the-counter pain pills. As a teenager, I always spent the first day or two of my period home in bed with a heating pad glued to my abdomen, and as an adult, I've often wished I still could. However, getting out of adult responsibilities isn't as easy as having my mother write a note to get me out of class. Instead, I've spent years suffering while trying every pill on the market, even prescription pain pills, hoping to find something that would really work to ease my severe menstrual cramps. After exhausting most of the pharmacy, I started doing some other experimenting. I've finally found a combination that works for me, and I hope it will help other women find some relief also.

Try ThermaCare's Heat Wraps
If you haven't heard of this product, it's a self-heating wrap that secures to the inside of your clothing and works for about 8 hours. It works like a heating pad, but it doesn't require an electrical outlet. They make ones especially for menstrual cramps and ones for backs and other areas also. These things have been a miracle cure for me. They actually work better than a heating pad does. But for people who have to go to work or school no matter how painful their menstrual cramps are, this product is a real life-saver. I'm lucky enough to work at home now, but for several years, this product saved me from having to call in sick. They're a bit high in price, but they come in packages of 3, and each one lasts about 8 hours. For me, they're more than worth the money, and one box lasts for two months.

Experiment With Evening Primrose Oil
I'm not big into herbal remedies, but I'd heard so much about evening primrose oil being of help to relieve PMS symptoms that I finally bought a bottle out of curiosity. At first, I took the initial dose a few days before my period and continued taking them until after my period was over. My menstrual cramps were less severe, but I didn't attribute it to the evening primrose oil. I happened to mention it to a friend who told me she takes evening primrose oil every day, and that although her PMS had not improved, her menstrual cramps had been less severe. So, I decided to give it a try and take the recommended daily dose every day for the next month. I figured that would use up the whole bottle, and if it didn't work, I just wouldn't buy anymore. My menstrual cramps that next month were even less severe, as were my PMS symptoms. I've continued to take the evening primrose oil daily for about six months now, and it really has helped. I've experimented with different brands, and although they all seem to work the same, I highly prefer the GNC gel caps, because they don't have as bad of an after-taste. One word of caution: if you get nauseated easily from vitamins or supplements, I recommend eating first. I have a very sensitive stomach, especially during my period, and the evening primrose oil does nauseate me unless I at least take it with a glass of milk.

Get Some Iron
Although I'm not technically anemic, I've always had a low iron issue. I am not a big red meat eater and am actually not a very healthy eater at all. For years, I didn't even take a multi-vitamin, and now that I do, I usually take one without iron, because the vitamins with iron really upset my stomach (even if I eat a full meal first). I had no idea that iron had anything to do with menstrual cramps until a doctor mentioned it to me about three months ago. I've been taking iron supplements for a few months now, only for the week of my period and a few days before, and I've noticed a big change in my menstrual cramps. Last month's were much less severe, and this months weren't very bad at all. I'm not completely certain that it is because of the iron, but I have a hunch that it probably is, since I haven't done anything else differently. If you can stomach taking iron supplements regularly, I'd recommend it. However, my own method of taking them only the one week out of the month is worth a try, too.

Although the above tips are not earth-shattering discoveries, they're based on my own experience -- which means they've at least worked for one person. I've yet to meet anyone who says they've found any relief from the commonly relayed suggestions of getting more exercise and drinking more fluids, or even from the more extravagant ideas like sipping cramp tree bark (yes, there is such a thing -- it tastes worse than I imagined wood would, and all it did for me was make me have to urinate constantly). I've been told by doctors and friends alike that menstrual cramps become less severe with age. While this has yet to be the case for me, it's something to look forward to. Until that happens, I'm happy to have found some relief, and I hope some of what works for me will also work for you. Obviously, if you are experiencing very severe or lasting symptoms, talk to your doctor and get checked out. No article should be a substitute for real medical care or advice.