are there any ways ,( besides ibroprofen and heat), to help really painfull menstral cramps?
143437
you need to talk to your Dr. about this!  Maybe its as simple as being put on birth control (which help a lot of people with painful cramps) but it could be something else-- who knows??\n\nAlso exercise is supposed to help- try to do a 30minute walk every day you have them- or even if you know when you will get your period (if you are regular) start the day BEFORE you get it\n\nbut definately ask your Dr.\n\nMine get pretty bad on the first day- I take 3 200mg advil and buy those sticky heat pads- and that usually really helps, but I guess everyone is different
468380
rub it; as a part-time personal trainer & former college athlete, trust me when I say I've dealt with quite a few muscle cramps! it also helps if you use something like Tiger Balm that heats the area and helps reduce the pain.
473364
No, sadly this is a myth. Lemon and chile do not cause cramps during your period; the lemon would probably irritate the mouth whilst the chile irritates the stomach. Thankfully, chocolate is actually useful when one has mentrual cramps or any type of pain such as headaches. On the contrary, chocolate acts as a natural painkiller quelling those painful cramps.\n\nThere are some foods that make cramps more painful. The most noteworthy one is caffeine. That means if you want a less painful cycle cut out the coffee, coca cola, dr pepper or any of those caffeine containing drinks.\n\nI hope this helps=)
551332
Exercise and ibuprophen. Also, calcium and magnesium taken every day decreases PMS and cramps, at menstrual time, to almost zero.
1131965
try chewable motrin. i have serious cramps too and i take 2 extra strength tylenol every 4-6 hours those days i have cramps. it helps a lot. i think you should try to learn how to swallow pills. you probably will need to in the future so better to learn now, but try a chewable version of a pain reliever\n\ngood luck
224023
Heating pad always works, also taking some kind of pain reliever. If they are very severe you could go to your doctor and get a stronger perscription for them. I also found that once I went on birth control (the pill) that I hardly even get them anymore.
721344
Firstly you should begin to drink as much water as you can every day...at least 8 glasses or 2 litres. I know it sounds a lot but it can be done. What you will find is that you will no longer have the same thirst for tea, coffee, juices and soft drinks. In short anything you used to take in for fluid. Please still drink your favourites but don't be surprised if you just don't feel like them. Good Luck.\n.\nSecondly, providing you have no allergy to this, begin taking a good magnesium supplement. There are many reputable brands out there. This primarily assists with circulation problems ie cramping. Do not expect overnight miracles, although you may notice an improvement quickly. It is as likely that you may have to take them for 2-4 weeks before you begin noticing a lessening of your cramps. Whatever supplement you take read the ingredients carefully and question the shop assistant if you do not understand anything. Good Luck.\n.\nThirdly, invest in a soft cushion with herbs like lavender inside which are designed to be heated in a microwave. I have one of these and I used it nightly for my recurring stiff neck and the ensuing headaches I suffered. It was wonderful. Lovely and warm and soothing and the smell just helped me so much drift off to sleep. There are many kinds on the market. Look for those in chemists, health food shops, variety stores and practitioners of aromatherapy healing products. I suggest you ensure the one that you buy is made of a soft snuggly kind of material. Place it under or over the area of your leg getting the cramps so that you are comfortable to fall sleep with it there. Good Luck.\n.\nThe above three suggestions will work together for a long term eradication of your cramps. I wish you well. Of course the short term solution is the heated pillow/cushion.
146266
If anything, a nice warm bath while on your period would help ease cramps, relax you, and is just what the doctor ordered!\n\nI have never personally experienced any bad effect from this.
653444
Almost all women have some cramping and aching during their periods, classified as either primary dysmenorrhea (which refers to "normal" menstrual pain) or secondary dysmenorrhea (which is a result of an underlying disease or disorder).\n\n"Normal" cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of prostaglandins, which are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract (sometimes quite painfully) in order to expel the menstrual debris (and henceforth, start the period). Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. \n\nHOWEVER, killer cramps and debilitating abdominal pain are NOT normal and are in most cases due to secondary dysmenorrhea. Most frequently this is because of a disease or disorder like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, etc. If your cramping disables you, see your gyn to talk about options.\n\nNon-steroidal inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen may help relieve cramping...your doc can also prescribe oral contraceptives that will prevent ovulation and reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating cramping. Use of heating pads, avoidance of salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine, intake of vitamin B6, calcium and magnesium supplements, and pelvic massage are all said to be helpful as well. \n\nIt is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause like Endometriosis (www.endocenter.org). Pain that is crippling is never normal and should be investigated ASAP so that appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be rendered.  Hope that helps.
46635
Take some midol, wear a pad because tampons make cramps worse and get one of those heating pads to put on your back or stomach whichever hurts more.
543281
Have you tried the new heating pads, they stick to your undies and provide warmth for up to 8hrs, they really do help.  Or exercises helps reduce the cramping.  Hope you find something
296448
MEDICATION\n\n    * For minor discomfort, use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen.\n    * Other medications that may be prescribed are antiprostaglandins (for painful menstrual periods) and oral contraceptives, which prohibit ovulation.\n    * In severe cases, hormones (e.g., gonadotropin-releasing hormone ([Gn-RH]) can stop ovary function and relieve pain. \n\nACTIVITY\n\n    * No restrictions. When resting in bed, elevate your feet or bend your knees and lie on your side.\n    * Regular, vigorous exercise reduces discomfort of future periods. \n\nDIET\n\n    * Reduce or discontinue consumption of any caffeine containing beverages or foods.\n    * You may be prescribed vitamin-B supplements. These help relieve symptoms in some persons.\n    * Herbal teas may help reduce symptoms of dysmenorrhea (cramps) for some women.
1182332
I had really horrible cramps when I was younger.  My doctor prescribed naproxen Sodium which is the main ingredient in Aleve.  If you can move around this helps, but sometimes the pain is too bad and we all just have to relax with a heating pad.  For th future, keep track of your period and take 2 Aleve a night or two beforehand and this will help "weaken" the cramps before they start to get unbearable.  Good luck!
1112654
During the menstural cycle the body becomes very sesitive to pain due to hormonal influences, hence the sore breasts for some and the terrible pain of abdominal cramps.\nThe cramps themselves are due to the contration of the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. Smooth muscle is the type of muscle that you have no control over. The uterus contracts during the cycle in order to get rid of the unfertilised ovum (egg) and the linning of the uterine wall (which would have housed the fertilised egg). Its just like giving birth to an unfertilised egg.\n\nIn order to reduce the pain you can either use pain killers which will block the pain receptors in the brain so that although their are contractions your body is not responding to them, or otherwise you can stop the contractions by using medication that will relax the smooth muscle tissue eg buscopan. It is worthy of note that relaxing the muscles of the uterus during mensturation may likely increase the amount of bleeding although you will be pain-free.
230083
Lay a heating pad on your lower abdomen.  Stay away from caffeine during your period.  It tends to make cramps worse.  Ibuprofen works well.  You can also get put on birth control pills, they help regulate periods and also decrease menstrual cramps.  You can also get a prescription for prescription strength ibuprofen, it works really well.
841088
Try heat. I had endometriosis so bad I eventually had to have a hysterectomy. My doctor gave me ibuprofen 800 mg (the prescription strength) and a med. for stomach (Prevacid), but what worked best for me was heat, esp. moist heat. I used to put rice in a tube sock 2/3rds full, tie a knot in it, and toss it in the microwave for 2 or 3 min., and used it. They also make those heat wraps that you can buy at the store that also work well if you are somewhere you can't carry around heat or keep a heating pad plugged in. Hot liquids also help - try drinking herbal teas. Also - make sure you don't get constipated -that'll only make things worse. If your OBGYN hasn't helped you, then you should really pin him down and make sure he understands how bad these cramps are. There are new drugs out there that are not pain killers, and can help you. If he dismisses your symptoms, I'd look for a different doctor. Ask some of the women in your area who they use, and get some recommendations. Good luck!
604765
ALL OF THE OTHER ANSWERS are good.and do try them. i used to manage a HEALTH SPA and here is something you can do,Lay on the floor, put your legs and feet up on a sofa or comforetable chair. this tips the urtus back and relieves the cramps.  but a hot bath first then  up with the legs and feet, is even better...do it 20 min at a time...it will help.