Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Painful Menstrual Cramps: Care Instructions. Overview Painful menstrual cramps dysmenorrhea can occur during or just before your period. How can you care for yourself at home? Take anti-inflammatory medicines for pain.

Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin and naproxen Aleve usually work better than aspirin. Be safe with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any of these medicines. They may not be safe if you take other medicines or have other health problems.

Start taking the recommended dose of pain medicine as soon as you start to feel pain. Or you can start on the day before your period. Keep taking the medicine for as many days as you have cramps.

If anti-inflammatory medicines don't help, try acetaminophen Tylenol. Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol.

Too much acetaminophen Tylenol can be harmful. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Put a heating pad set on low or a hot water bottle on your belly. Or take a warm bath.

Heat improves blood flow and may help with pain. Lie down and put a pillow under your knees. Or lie on your side and bring your knees up to your chest. This will help with any back pressure. Get at least 2½ hours of moderate to vigorous exercise a week. This improves blood flow and may decrease pain.

Walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing sports. Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if: You have severe vaginal bleeding. You have new or worse belly or pelvic pain.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if: You do not get better as expected. Endometriosis, dysmenorrhea and diet -- what is the evidence? Ghodsi Z, Asltoghiri M. The effect of fennel on pain quality, symptoms, and menstrual duration in primary dysmenorrhea.

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. Grimes DA, Hubacher D, Lopez LM, Schulz KF. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Guerrera MP, Volpe SL, Mao JJ.

Therapeutic uses of magnesium. Am Fam Physician. Habek D, Cortez Habek J, Bobic-Vukovic M, Vujic B. Efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of primary dysmenorrheal.

Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch. Keogh E, Cavill R, Moore DJ, Eccleston C. The effects of menstrual-related pain on attentional interference. Letzel H, Megard Y, Lamarca R, Raber A, Fortea J. The efficacy and safety of aceclofenac versus placebo and naproxen in women with primary dysmenorrhoea.

Liu CZ, Xie JP, Wang LP, et al. Immediate analgesia effect of single point acupuncture in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial.

Pain Med. doi: Epub Dec Erratum in: Pain Med. Lloyd KB, Hornsby LB. Complementary and alternative medications for women's health issues. Nutr Clin Pract. Marziali M, Venza M, Lazzaro S, Lazzaro A, Micossi C, Stolfi VM. Gluten-free diet: a new strategy for management of painful endometriosis related symptoms?

Minerva Chir. Mirbagher-Ajorpaz N, Adib-Hajbaghery M, Mosaebi F. The effects of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract.

Nagata C, Hirokawa K, Shimizu N, Shimizu H. Associations of menstrual pain with intakes of soy, fat and dietary fiber in Japanese women. Eur J Clin Nutr. Ou MC, Hsu TF, Lai AC, Lin YT, Lin CC. Pain relief assessment by aromatic essential oil massage on outpatients wit hprimary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. Pouresmail Z, Ibrahimzadeh R. Effects of acupressure and ibuprofen on the severity of dysmenorrheal. J Tradit Chin Med.

Proctor ML, Murphy PA, Pattison HM, Suckling J, Farquhar CM. Behavioural interventions for primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Proctor ML, Hing W, Johnson TC, Murphy PA. Spinal manipulation for primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Proctor ML, Latthe PM, Farquhar CM, Khan KS, Johnson NP. Surgical interruption of pelvic nerve pathways for primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Tugay N, Akbayrak T, Demirturk F, et al. Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential current in primary dysmenorrhea. Wong CL, Farquhar C, Roberts H, Proctor M. Oral contraceptive pill for primary dysmenorrhoea.

Ye R, Wang S, Li Y, et al. Primary dysmenorrhea is potentially predictive for initial orthodontic pain in female patients. Angle Orthod. Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Home Health Library. Menstrual pain Dysmenorrhea. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms and degree of pain vary, and may include the following: Abdominal cramping or dull ache that moves to lower back and legs Heavy menstrual flow Headache Nausea Constipation or diarrhea Frequent urination Vomiting not common Low back pain Diarrhea.

What Causes It? Secondary dysmenorrhea can be caused by: Endometriosis, inflammation of the uterine lining Blood and tissue being passed through a narrow cervix Uterine fibroid or ovarian cyst Uterine infections PID Intrauterine device IUD. What to Expect at Your Provider's Office A pelvic examination may include an internal examination, laparoscopy, and ultrasound.

Treatment Options Drug Therapies Initial treatment is focused on relieving pain. Intrauterine devices. Reduce menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies Some women find that changing their diets makes cramps less severe. Nutrition and Supplements Eat foods that are rich in calcium, including beans, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale. Eat foods that are high in antioxidants, including fruits, such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes, and vegetables, such as squash and bell pepper.

Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar. Eat more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu soy, if no allergy , or beans for protein.

Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil. Some women find that adding soy milk to their diet helps relieve menstrual pain. Eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week. The following supplements may also help relieve menstrual pain: Omega-3 fatty acids , such as fish oil to help lower inflammation.

A few studies have found that women who took fish oil had less menstrual pain than those who took placebo. Omega-3 fatty acids may raise the risk of bleeding, especially for people who take blood thinners such as clopidogrel Plavix , warfarin Coumadin , or aspirin.

Ask your doctor before taking omega-3 fatty acids. Calcium citrate. Your body needs calcium for healthy bones. Calcium may also help reduce menstrual pain because it helps maintain muscle tone. However, evidence isn't clear.

Calcium citrate is the form of calcium that your body absorbs most easily. Remember that you may be getting some calcium in the food you eat, so ask your doctor before taking calcium supplements. Vitamin D , helps your body use calcium and may reduce inflammation.

Vitamin D may interact with a number of medications, so ask your doctor before taking more than the recommended daily allowance.

Vitamin E , may help reduce menstrual pain. In one study, young women took either IU of vitamin E or placebo for 5 days 2 days before and 3 days after their periods started. Those who took vitamin E reported less pain than those who took placebo.

Vitamin E may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take blood thinners. People with heart disease, diabetes, retinitis pigmentosa, or cancer of the head, neck, or prostate, should avoid high doses of vitamin E without first asking their doctor.

Preliminary studies suggest that magnesium may help reduce menstrual pain. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea and lower blood pressure. If you have digestive problems or heart disease, ask your doctor before taking magnesium.

Magnesium can interact with many medications, including antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin Cipro , levofloxacin Levaquin , and tetracycline; bone-building drugs such as alendronate Fosamax , and risedronate Actonel ; diuretics water pills ; and other drugs.

Herbs Herbs are generally available as standardized dried extracts pills, capsules, or tablets , teas, tinctures, or liquid extracts alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted. Women who have a history of hormone-related cancer, who are taking hormone replacement therapy, or who have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medication should ask their doctor before taking these herbs: Chaste tree or chaste berry Vitex agnus castus.

Chaste tree may interact with a number of medications, including chlorpromazine Thorazine , haloperidol Haldol , levodopa, metoclopramide, olanzapine Zyprexa , prochlorperazine Compazine , quetiapine Seroquel , ropinirole Requip , risperidone Risperdal. It may also make birth control pills less effective.

Cramp bark Viburnum opulus , taken as a tea.

This is known in medicine as secondary dysmenorrhea, because the menstrual cramps, often severe, result from another condition. It can be difficult to differentiate pain from these conditions from regular period pain. One tipoff is that the severity, frequency, or other characteristics change from your own typical cramps, Tang says.

Most of the time, menstrual cramps can be treated at home. For extremely painful cramps, however, you should consult your physician. Medical interventions you may need for your anti-cramping arsenal include prescription pain relievers offering higher potency than you can buy in the store; birth control in the form of pills, patches, vaginal rings, implants, or injections; or hormonal intrauterine devices , Tang says.

To help reduce period pain, here are 10 safe and effective home remedies for menstrual cramp relief. When researchers in Australia examined nearly two dozen studies about home remedies for menstrual pain, exercise proved to be number one.

Moving the body was even moderately more effective than taking a pain-relieving medication, they wrote in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Tang says many of her patients are helped by exercise, including cardio and strength training.

This is likely because exercise increases hormones like progesterone and dopamine that diminish pain. Whether it's the stretching of your muscles or the relaxing effect of the poses, a regular yoga practice can indeed help your cramps.

Yoga exercises were found to be especially helpful in several of the studies the Australian authors examined. Most yoga instructors say you can practice during your periods or between them, but some advise women against doing inverted poses like a shoulder stand in the midst of menstruation, so as not to interfere with your natural flow.

Indeed, research published in Evidence-Based Nursing found that heat was just as effective as ibuprofen for period cramps. Over the two study days, the women used heat alone, heat plus ibuprofen, ibuprofen alone, or a placebo.

The best results were in the heat plus ibuprofen group; adding heat led to faster improvements. Another study, in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology , found that women who applied a heat patch on their lower abdomen reported the most pain reduction even after eight hours compared with those who self-medicated with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Moderate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory NSAID medication like ibuprofen Advil, Motrin or naproxen Aleve is one of the best ways to curb period pain, Thielen recommends.

This is because NSAIDs reduce the amount of prostaglandins in the body. For this reason, taking a pill just before you get your period can keep the level of pain-causing prostaglandins from rising, she says. As with any medicine, you should first check with your doctor to be sure NSAIDs are a good choice for you, especially if you have a history of bleeding or stomach or kidney issues.

In a review published in April in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , experts looked at 42 studies that observed the effects of acupuncture on period cramps. Each compared acupuncture with no treatment, conventional treatment such as anti-inflammatory drugs , or a sham acupuncture procedure.

Many of the studies found that the acupuncture group had less period pain with no side effects. The researchers emphasize that here too, though, the quality of all the studies was poor.

If you do see an acupuncturist, Tang suggests asking them about adding moxibustion, a type of Chinese therapy where mugwort herbs are burned close to the skin.

The herbs and the heat seem to combine to relieve the cramping, she says. Acupuncture must be performed by a trained professional, but acupressure, which involves finger pressure instead of tiny needles, can be done yourself at home. This was another method found to be effective in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine review.

In an Iranian study, the authors found acupressure was beneficial in reducing pain, as they reported in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. One pressure point you can try pressing on is called the Sanyinjiao point SP-6 , which was used in some research studies.

This point is located on the inside of the leg, a four-finger height above the ankle. Cinnamon and ginger have been shown to be effective when it comes to menstrual cramps, researchers reported in Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in July Over half of women who menstruate experience period pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, for one to two days every month.

And even though period pain can mean headaches or general discomfort, the pain is typically caused by menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps happen when your uterus contracts to shed its lining, also known as the uterine lining.

This can cause pain in your stomach, lower back, groin or upper thighs. Previously, we talked about when it makes sense to see a doctor for menstrual cramps. Cramps, irritability and fatigue — dealing with these and other period symptoms every month can be as frustrating as they are painful.

The good news is there are many remedies you can do at home and on the go that might help you relieve period cramps and other period symptoms. This is due to water retention, or bloating. Bloating is a normal and common period symptom, but it can cause discomfort and make menstrual cramps worse.

While it may sound counterintuitive, drinking water regularly throughout the day can help reduce bloating during your period and alleviate some of the pain it causes. Try carrying a water bottle around with you and fill it up several times during the day. How much water each person should drink can vary, but a good goal is to drink at least eight, 8-oz.

glasses of water per day. Also, drinking hot water can increase blood flow throughout your body and relax your muscles.

This can lessen cramps caused by uterine contractions. Certain types of herbal tea have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce bloating and inflammation, and antispasmodic compounds that can reduce the muscle spasms in the uterus that cause cramping. Drinking cinnamon, lemon, dandelion and hibiscus teas can help with bloating.

Raspberry leaf, chamomile, thyme and oolong teas can help relieve menstrual cramps. And ginger, peppermint and green teas can help with both.

Plus, these herbal teas can have other benefits, like stress relief and helping with insomnia. Some foods can offer natural relief for cramps, and they taste great. Anti-inflammatory foods can help promote blood flow and relax your uterus.

Try eating berries, tomatoes, pineapple and spices like turmeric, ginger or garlic. Leafy green vegetables, almonds, walnuts and fatty fish, like salmon, can also help reduce inflammation.

While a brownie or french fries might sound delicious, foods high in sugar, trans fat and salt can cause bloating and inflammation, which makes muscle pain and cramps worse. Instead, reach for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and unsalted nuts and seeds. Caffeine causes your blood vessels to narrow.

This can constrict your uterus, making cramps more painful. If you need your coffee fix, switch to decaf during your period. If you rely on caffeine to beat the afternoon slump, eat a snack high in protein or take a quick minute walk to boost your energy.

Vitamin D can help your body absorb calcium and reduce inflammation. Rahbar N, Asgharzadeh N, Ghorbani R. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. DOI: Negi R, Sharma SK, Gaur R, Bahadur A, Jelly P. Efficacy of Ginger in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Cavner JP, Smith F, Gray B. Is cbd a viable option for menstrual symptoms? Mizuta R, Maeda N, Komiya M, et al. The relationship between the severity of perimenstrual symptoms and a regular exercise habit in Japanese young women: a cross-sectional online survey.

BMC Womens Health. Armour M, Ee CC, Naidoo D, et al. Exercise for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Kim SD. Yoga for menstrual pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract. Use limited data to select advertising.

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List of Partners vendors. Wellness Reproductive Health Menstruation. By Susan Brickell. Medically reviewed by Peter Weiss, MD. learn more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

The uterus is comprised mostly of muscle cells whose main mode of activity—like any muscle—is to contract, Joshua U. Klein, MD , chief medical officer and reproductive endocrinologist at Extend Fertility , told Health.

When blood and tissue shed during menses, an inflammatory reaction that provokes contraction of the uterine muscle occurs, which causes menstrual cramps, said Dr.

Birth control , hormonal treatments, and over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help alleviate period aches and pains, but natural remedies can help, too. Here are five to consider next time you're experiencing cramps. Remember when you had menstrual cramps in high school?

Maybe someone recommended a heating pad. Applying heat to the lower abdomen or lower back using a heating pad , heat patches, hot water bag, towels, or hot water bottle is helpful. Superficial heat increases blood flow to the area, which helps to flush out pain-producing substances like prostaglandins, said Orlando-based ob-gyn Christine Greves, MD , a fellow of the American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Greves noted two randomized controlled trials to test the performance of heat- and steam-generating HSG sheets for relief of menstrual cramps and compare them to ibuprofen for treating period cramp pain.

The trials found that topical heat therapy can be equally, if not more, effective for menstrual cramps than over-the-counter pain medication. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to help fight inflammation and pain in general, and period cramps could be no different.

The source could be important, though, said Dr. Omega-3s help to keep your vision healthy, reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, and improve arthritis. In addition, research suggests that omega-3s might also be effective at controlling menstrual pain.

In one study, a group of women with painful periods took 1 capsule of omega-3 fish oil or a placebo daily for 3 months. One group of 47 women was given a daily omega-3 capsule for 3 months and then a placebo for three months.

The other group was given the placebo and omega-3 capsule in reverse. Every participant was allowed to take mg of ibuprofen whenever the cramps were too painful to handle. The study found that both groups took fewer doses of ibuprofen when they were taking the omega-3 supplements. The researchers concluded that the supplements appeared to significantly reduce the amount of pain the patients suffered.

This powerful plant boasts anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe painful menstrual cramps. Two of ginger's components, gingerols and gingerdiones, work to inhibit leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis, decreasing period cramping pain, said Dr.

However, very few scientific reviews have looked at the effectiveness of ginger for pain duration and severity. In one meta-review, previous research comparing ginger with a placebo and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs in women with menstrual cramps was analyzed.

The researchers found that ginger and NSAIDs were equally effective in pain severity. You can add fresh or dried ginger to your food, try ginger chews or sip on ginger tea to try out the benefits of the plant.

Cannabis for pain relief goes back years, when Egyptians used it to treat neuralgia, headaches, and toothaches. Cannabidiol CBD is a substance derived from the cannabis plant but does not produce psychoactive effects.

Although more studies on CBD oil for menstrual pain are needed, Daniel Clauw, MD, professor of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, told Health that it wouldn't surprise him if CBD oil helped ease period cramps, since "it does act as a weak anti-inflammatory, not unlike nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are the most commonly used treatments for this type of pain.

A meta-review of studies on using CBD for pain relief found that, though there have been multiple studies showing patients found relief of joint pain, fibromyalgia pain, migraines, and spinal pain from CBD, no studies were found specific to menstrual cramps.

The researchers concluded, however, there were adequate studies to support acute and chronic pain relief. There are several forms of CBD products available. The most common forms of CBD include oils and tinctures, creams and lotions, capsules and pills, edibles, and vaping. Cannabis may or may not be legal for medical or recreational use depending on the laws in your state.

The effects of cannabis vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Magnesium is found in many foods , including almonds , black beans, spinach, yogurt, and peanut butter. If you want to take a magnesium supplement , Tang suggests limiting your dose to no more than milligrams mg a day, which is generally considered a safe amount.

A massage with certain aromatic essential oils can relieve menstrual cramp pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.

Investigators asked 48 women with menstrual cramps and other symptoms to massage either essential oils or a synthetic fragrance into their lower abdomen between periods. Women in both groups reported reduced pain, but the essential oils group did better. On the basis of the women's reports, researchers found that the duration of pain was reduced by almost half a day after a self-massage with the essential oils.

Some essential oils thought to be helpful include lavender , clary sage, and marjoram. Buy high-quality oils that are tested for purity. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy suggests diluting pure essential oils in an unscented cream, lotion, or carrier oil before placing it on your skin to avoid irritation.

Women who adhere to the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, have fewer instances of menstrual pain, Spanish scientists concluded in the journal Nutrients in And women in the study who ate fewer than two fruits a day were some of the most likely to have this pain.

A low-fat vegetarian diet may also ease cramps, according to a study of 33 women with dysmenorrhea published in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Heavily plant-based eating plans are not only good for your cramps, but will enhance your heart health, too. Start by swapping out less healthy fats like the saturated fats found in animal products or polyunsaturated fats for healthier ones like olive oil , suggests the American Heart Association.

Examples of meals not overly reliant on unhealthy fats can be found in the healthy eating plate guide from the Harvard T.

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Kara Leigh Smythe, MD. Period pain can be so bad that doctors have a medical name for it: dysmenorrhea. Why Are Period Cramps Painful? Can Bad Period Cramps Be a Sign of Something Else?

Some of the most common include: Endometriosis This disorder occurs when tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside your uterus, often adhering to your bladder, ovaries, or even your bowels. Pain with menstruation is one of the hallmark symptoms of endometriosis.

Here are seven symptoms that you should talk to your…. Get the answers to your most burning period poop questions, from wiping tips to how to keep your tampon string clean.

We'll let you in on a secret: It's not just you — period farts are a very real thing. We'll dive into why they happen, what makes them smell so awful…. If you're experiencing period pain, a few adjustments can go a long way. This article reviews whether chocolate can help relieve menstrual period cramps and suggests other foods and remedies that may help, too.

Cramps are a pain, but a heating pad may help. Here are nine options, including electrical, microwaveable, and more. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Sexual Health. Birth control STIs HIV HSV Activity Relationships.

How to Get Rid of Period Cramps: 14 Remedies to Try. Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — By Erica Cirino and Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on February 1, Cramp causes Heating pad Essential oil massage OTC meds Exercise Warm bath Yoga Supplements Foods to avoid Hydration Acupressure Birth control TENS machine CBD Sleep position When to get care Takeaway You may be able to relieve period cramps with over-the-counter pain relievers and home remedies, including exercising or using a heating pad.

What causes period cramps? Use a heat patch. Massage your tummy with essential oils. Take a pain reliever. Soak in a tub. Do yoga. Take supplements. Avoid caffeine and salty foods. Stay hydrated. Try acupressure. Consider birth control. Try a TENS machine. Consider CBD. Switch up your sleeping position.

When should you see a doctor? The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Feb 1, Written By Erica Cirino, Adrienne Santos-Longhurst. Jan 31, Medically Reviewed By Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH.