How to Relieve Period Cramps and Menstrual Pain

The pain and inflammation during your menstrual cycle is mainly caused by pain producing chemicals called prostaglandins, and there are several types of pains you can experience during your period. ^1,2 Depending on the severity, such pains can interfere with work, school, and social activities. It’s great to know that you have many options for reducing your pain, so see what works best for you! Just remember: pain is manageable—so it shouldn’t get in the way of you doing the things you enjoy.

Remember: pain is manageable—so it shouldn’t get in the way of you doing the things you enjoy.

What can help reduce the pain of menstrual cramps?

Adjust Your Diet

Make sure that you take care of you. Maintain a healthy diet low in processed sugars and fatty foods. Drinking plenty of water can also stop your body from holding onto water thus reducing bloating.³

Exercise & Stretching

• There is a perception that exercise is inappropriate when experiencing menstrual pain, however exercise actually increases blood flow and promotes the release of mood-boosting hormones called endorphins.⁴ Exercise and stretching have shown to be effective in reducing the severity of menstrual cramp pain as well.⁵
• If you are prone to painful menstrual cramps, exercising 3-4 times a week promotes overall body health and may help with menstrual pains.⁶

Massages

• Don’t feel guilty about treating yourself! Massage with aromatic oils has been shown to provide relief and shorten the duration of menstrual pain.⁷ Go ahead and give it a try with lavender, clary sage, or marjoram oil.

Heat Therapy

• Heat therapy works by moving past skin layers and directly acting on muscles thereby relaxing them and easing the pain.⁸ Continuous, low-level topical heat has been shown to provide relief of menstrual pain and cramping in women.⁹ Many forms of heat therapy are available in stores or at your pharmacy including heat patches, heat pads, and hot water bottles.⁶
• ThermaCare Menstrual HeatWraps Comes in an ultra-thin design for the lower abdomen that fits discreetly under clothing, and delivers pain relieving heat for up to 8 hours of menstrual cramp relief!⁸

Over-the-Counter Pain Relief Medicines

• Moderate use of over-the-counter pain relievers is an effective method for relieving menstrual pain.^1,2
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) target the cause of menstrual pain at the source by lowering production of the pain signaling chemicals called prostaglandins.¹⁰ Ibuprofen sodium, the medicine in Advil Film-Coated has been shown to provide powerful relief of your tough menstrual cramps, headache, and backache.