Menstral Cramps
The medical term for menstrual cramps is primary dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps can occur in teenagers as well as older women. These cramps can often be extremely painful, and at the least very uncomfortable. There is no way to eliminate menstrual cramps, but there are some treatments women can use to reduce the discomfort.
Heat
Heat works well to provide some relief from menstrual cramps. Place a heating pad over your abdomen for 15 to 20 minutes. If you don't have a heating pad, you can use washcloth soaked in hot water. The problem is that the washcloth will quickly cool off and you will need to reheat it every few minutes. A third option is a product such as Heat Treat personal heating pads, portable pads that you can wear anywhere. Remove the adhesive strip and stick the heating pad to your abdomen. Each pad works for eight hours and is not visible. It is perfect if you cannot stay at home and wait to feel better.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works to reduce the amount of prostaglandin produced in the body, lessening the amount of cramps you experience. It is also a pain reliever and can diminish the pain from your cramps within 20 minutes. Some name brands of ibuprofen are Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.
Warning: Ibuprofen can thin the blood a bit and cause your bleeding to seem a little heavier.
Birth Control Pills
Women who consistently have painful menstrual cramps each month should consider a regiment of birth control pills, even if not sexually active. Birth control pills can lessen the length and the intensity of a period. After two or three months on the pill, some women will no longer experience any cramps at all. The same is true of birth control patches if you are not thrilled at the idea of taking pills.
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