What can I do to lessen painful cramps before I get my period?

My period is coming either tonight or tomorrow and I’m going to an important event tomorrow where I’ll have to stay for six hours or more. I don’t want to be standing around in pain.

Is there anything I can do to prevent it from being as painful as it usually is? I’d prefer natural remedies since nothing else works for me (I’ve tried Tylenol, Midol, heating patches, and warm water bottles). Are there any foods I can eat that might help?

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7 Responses to “What can I do to lessen painful cramps before I get my period?”

1. aeroparty303 says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   OMG! i have the perfect thing for you and this may sound weird or whatever, but one time i had the WORST cramps and i was like falling over, and all we had in the house were some bananas and i ate one, and after 20 mins my cramps were gone…i’ve used bananas for over a year now and they are RLY helping me….i may just b weird like that, but bananas taste good so u might as well eat one just in case, and unless ur allergic, they cant do harm
2. rachel says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   one natural remedy that works well is call "cramp bark". its actually a liquid and i find it to work for mild cramps quite well. i get it at my local health food store, it’s something that indians used to use.
3. Sammie says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   Well, you try can try not eating any spicy foods or other foods that will upset your stomach. When you do get your period you should feel great. You can also try excersising during your period.
4. Michael A says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   get a hysterectomy, youll never have that problem again
5. Tiffani W says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   I recommend birth control pills.I used to have really bad cramps but I haven’t felt any cramps in years now that I’m on the pill.
6. tina c says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   While some women rely upon over-the-counter medications to help do away with their cramps, others prefer to rely upon natural solutions, such as taking a bath or using botanical supplements. Read on to learn more about all you options when it comes to relieving menstrual cramps.

   Banishing Cramps the Medical Way
   There are generally two types of medication used to help relieve menstrual cramps: over-the-counter drugs and prescription birth control pills.

   Women who experience extremely severe menstrual cramps, as well as irregular periods, are often prescribed the birth control pill. This is because the hormones in oral contraceptives help to regulate your menstrual cycle as well as reduce the typical symptoms of menstruation. It is important to weigh all the pros and cons of using the Pill, though, before you decide to start using it.
   Many women will claim that ibuprofen is their best friend when they have their menstrual period. Over-the-counter medications that contain ibuprofen or naproxen work quickly to relieve menstrual cramps and can also help out with backaches, bloating and tender breasts — not to mention a menstrual migraine. Some brands are designed specifically to help out women with menstrual problems and discomforts and come in a range of strengths that target certain symptoms.
   If your menstrual cramps are not relieved through the use of ibuprofen or some other kind of pain reliever and/or they interfere with your daily activities, make an appointment to see your doctor. It could be the sign of something more serious.
   Natural Menstrual Cramp Relief
   Medication is not the only route a woman can go, though, when it comes to dealing with cramps. If you prefer to take the natural menstrual health approach when it comes to your cramps, then give one or all of these menstrual cramp relief tips a whirl.

   Following a healthy balanced diet that is high in zinc, calcium and B vitamins, especially vitamin B6 (just don’t consume more than 100mg per day) should help to relieve cramps as well as bloating. It is also a good idea to cut back on your salt, sugar and caffeine intake during the week leading up to your period. Less of these items means less severe menstrual cramps.
   Heat helps, so throw a heating pad into the microwave or fill a hot water bottle and place it on your stomach or back. However, for some women, a build-up of blood in their pelvis may be the culprit behind their cramps, in which case an ice pack is actually more useful than a heat pack. The cold from the ice pack works to draw the blood out of the pelvis and towards the extremities. Try using both kinds of packs to see which is best for you.
   A nice, long warm bath is another favorite among women with menstrual cramps. Throw in some soothing aromatherapy bath salts for a truly blissful experience.
   If you can, avoid standing, especially if you have a sore back. Better yet, lie down and pull your knees up towards your chest. Many women find that lying in the fetal position helps to relieve the pain in their pelvis as well as any back pain they may have.
   While it is likely to be the last thing on your mind, exercise really can help reduce cramps so long as your workout is gentle. Walking is an excellent, gentle activity as is swimming. Some yoga positions may also be beneficial. Additionally, working out regularly, not just when you have your period, can also work to reduce the severity of your cramps.
   Some herbal teas like raspberry leaf tea and cramp bark tea have been known to relieve menstrual cramps. Speak with a trained herbalist to learn more about how to properly take these teas.
   Stock up on pineapples. Fresh pineapple juice contains a lot of bromelain, an enzyme that is thought to help relax muscles and therefore help with menstrual cramps.
   There are different massage, reflexology and acupressure techniques that you can do at home which will relieve menstrual cramps. Speak with a trained specialist to learn how to properly do these techniques yourself.
7. raven_hotgirl_rayray says:

   August 1, 2010 at 5:30 am

   Cramp bark’s low-growing shrub has thick shiny leaves and, on some species, dark shiny berries. Often used as ornamental shrubbery, the berries also have been eaten as a substitute for cranberries. But the plant isn’t all cramp bark and no bite. This beautiful shrub also is valuable as a medicinal tool — its root, dug in summer or fall, is used as a herbal remedy to treat cramps.
   or
   1. Over the counter pain killers: Midol is still an easy way to get rid of pain and one of the most used pills for women who have a hard time dealing with their menstrual cramps. However, if you’re shopping on a budget, any form of anti-inflammatory medicine, like ibuprofen, can help bring relief. Try taking two the moment you feel the cramps coming on to keep them from getting too bad.

   2. Heating pad: Placing a warm heating pad on your stomach is a good old fashioned way to relieve cramps. The heat from the pad will relax the muscle spasms that are causing your cramps and can be comforting to cuddle up with as well. Place it on your stomach or your back if your cramps are causing back pain and turn it to a comfortable level. Never place the hot nylon directly on your skin though, or you’re likely to burn yourself. Don’t sleep on one that’s plugged in and left on overnight, either. If you’d rather go a more natural way, hot cloth compresses or heated rice bags can give you the same relief.

   3. Birth control pills: Though you need a prescription, most doctors won’t hesitate to give you one for birth control pills if you share your concerns with them about severe cramps. Because of the hormones they release, birth control pills have been known to lessen cramps and even keep them away completely. Try a low dose pill that’s relatively inexpensive or ask your doctor for samples. They can also be acquired at a local community health department for a lower fee than the prescriptions. Make sure to consult a doctor however to rule out anything severe.
   or
   The good news is that, provided you have no serious underlying health conditions, you can alleviate menstrual cramping if you give your body the right support. Even deeply entrenched cases of cramping that cannot be resolved entirely can improve considerably with positive changes in lifestyle and nutrition that encourage hormonal balance.

   Primary dysmenorrhea is cramping abdominal pain that lasts upwards of several days during your monthly blood flow. It can be accompanied by a number of related symptoms, including bloating, nausea, vomiting, headache, backaches, pain that radiates down the thighs, or diarrhea, and is caused by excess prostaglandin levels. Prostaglandins are hormone–like fatty acids that send pain signals to the brain. The additional prostaglandins cause small contractions of the uterine wall and the gastrointestinal symptoms that accompany dysmenorrhea.

   This kind of spasmodic menstrual cramp is most common in younger women and often resolves itself with age. Many women report their menstrual cramping dissipates after their first pregnancy,

   Take note that sometimes a benign ovarian cyst or ectopic pregnancy can cause acute pelvic pain toward the end of your cycle. If you are experiencing tenderness and sharp pain that does not subside with with the onset of your menstrual flow, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

   Secondary dysmenorrhea is characterized by a kind of congested, dull pain that begins up to two weeks before the start of your flow. This kind of cramping is more common in women in their 30’s and 40’s and usually does not get better with age. It can be accompanied by bloating, weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches, lower back pain, and irritability.

   Symptoms may be exacerbated by fluctuating estrogen levels, which in turn cause fluid retention. Chinese doctors view this kind of painful period as a form of blood stasis, in which vital energy is unable to flow freely through the lower abdomen. Underlying causes of this kind of pain other than hormonal imbalance can include:

   Endometriosis (ectopic endometrial tissue)
   Adenomyosis (endometrial tissue within uterine wall)
   Pelvic infection
   Intrauterine device (IUD)
   Cervical stenosis (stricture of the internal cervical os, the opening to the uterus)
   Congenital uterine or vaginal abnormalities
   Fibroids
   Obesity, cigarette smoking, chronic pelvic infections and/or STD’s are common risk factors for secondary dysmenorrhea. If you have persistent menstrual cramping that remains the same or worsens over a few months, please schedule a check-up with your healthcare practitioner to rule out any of the above.

   If none of the above conditions are present, you may be able to find natural menstrual cramp relief. We’ve had great success treating our patients’ painful cramping with medical-grade nutritional supplements, exercise and — in many cases — a topical progesterone cream. When hormonal balance is restored and there are no extenuating factors, menstrual cramps usually lessen and often subside completely.

   Our Personal Program is a great option

   Our Personal Program provides the foundation of support that’s helpful in achieving and maintaining hormonal balance.

   If you’re ready to get started, consider joining the Personal Program. The first step is to complete our on-line Hormonal Balance Profile. It’s easy and informative.

   If you’d like to learn more about the biology behind the Program, go to How It Works.

   If you have questions about whether the Program will work for you, call us toll-free at 1-800-808-0849 . We’re here to listen and help.