Tips for relieving menstrual cramps?

Gah, I feel so bad for you. I hate when nothing works.
I curl up in a little ball with a heating pad and take a nap.
Medicine does nothing for cramps for me.
I found that running maybe because I love running helps. It hurts for the first few minutes, but then it goes away and I can continue on with my day.

I have this long rectangular beanbag thing filled with rice and lavender. Microwave it for a few minutes and it’s really warm and feels really good.

Clearly every woman is different, but Midol don’t work for shit for me. Have you ever tried extra strength tylenol for cramps? For me, they take about a half hour to kick in, but after that my cramps are gone. And I get really, really, really, really bad cramps. :( Other than that, when I don’t have pills I’ve found smoking weed helps, and getting up and doing something, even though it feels like you can’t. Heating pads always help too…I hope you feel better soon! Cramps are so awful.

If this is a new occurance you need to see your OBGYN to rule out cysts.

The best thing I’ve found for my cramps is Anaprox. It’s rx only but it knocks the pain right out. Everything else I’ve tried helps a bit, but doesn’t completely get rid of the pain.

I put a pillow down and lie on my stomach on top of it. Just to where your hip bones are off of it so they’re not holding you up, but as low as possible. Lie there for half an hour and see what happens.

I got an IUD over the summer and since then have had AWFUL cramps monthly. My midwife suggested once I have an inkling that my period is coming, take prescription amount Ibuprofen (800mg = 4 pills) and take it every 6 hours for a few days. It helps with the pain, but also actually relaxes the uterus.

That’s what I do. I still am in a lot of pain monthly… but I’m mostly functional.

I’d suggest checking with your doctor. They might want to rule some things out and then may have some helpful suggestions.

@gemiwing I’ve always had bad periods but they are getting worse and worse everytime. I’m afraid I have endometriosis but I’m afriad of going I know thats stupid but I have a reason to why I’m scared to go now Also I can’t take naproxen I took to much of it and I messed up my stomach lining so my doctor warned me not to take it anymore. Thanks for the suggestion any way though!

You’ve got to get to the doc. I thought I had endometriosis but it turned out to be my blood sugar. Now I take two pills a day and everything is so much better. It could be something so simple to fix and you’re just sitting there in pain don’t like to think of you in pain I would at least call them.

Have you tried hormonal bc?

Try wearing a Therma-Pak. They help.

@jbfletcherfan I have one on right now. I love them but they are so darn expensive.

I second the suggestion of checking out to see if you have endometriosis. There are things you can do to make it better, if you have it, so it is better to know and treat it then to pretend it might not be there and let it get worse. And, you might even find that’s not it at all.

I was going to suggest some kind of anti prostaglandin, but since you can’t take naproxen, that might not be a good idea. The heating pad or warm rice bag is always good.

How about a shot of schnapps? If you’re old enough that is. that always helps me. ;)

An older method is to drink some chalk. You can get some at a sporting goods store. Stir it in with some water. I can’t say how much though, been looking online for an amount but having troubles finding it. In fact I couldn’t find anything supporting this. But it is something that I know worked for my SIL.

Heating pads are also amazing.

To prevent bad pains in the future try taking fish oil on a regular basis (if you don’t already).

Yeah, they are, I know. :-(

Entertain yourself differently. You apparently do not like that particular minstrel.

I was told in bygone days to not ingest any caffeine a few days before you’re due and to exercise during cramps.[blah] what i did do was curl up into said fetal ball. I would have to throw up, too. I did think heating pads helped.

Sometimes getting in the “doggie” position helps me – on elbows & knees with butt up in the air. I guess it repositions the uterus or something, I don’t know, but sometimes it does help.
I’ve heard that caffeine might actually help, so maybe try some caffeinated tea.
I hope you feel better soon!!!

I just looked at my daughters midol box and it contains caffeine. Perhaps nobody really knows-just switch it up every generation. My daughter’s friend says her doctor wants her to take male hormones. [hearsay]

hot water bottle, quick, brisk walk, curling up on the sofa and screaming for an hour!!

Midol and stuff only ever made my stomach upset so I don’t bother. Here’s a list of what’s worked for me, in no order of preference:

* Foot rub
* Lower back/Sacrum massage followed by a heat source like a hot weighted towel, heated bean bag, even heated rocks
* Sex

I’m having this same issue today myself.
And, like you, it’s one of those days when nothing works…
…so I knit compulsively until, hopefully, I pass out.

I know that what works for some doesn’t work for all—but this is like my #1 crap magic mix.

2 pepto bismol tablets.
3 ibuprofen.

I swear, it works wonders for me. Especially if you take them right as you start to cramp.

Hope you’re feeling better.
Several websites recommend additional Calcium supplements to help lessen or relieve menstrual cramps.
Here are three websites that recommend calcium and some other natural things to help with cramps & PMS:
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/topic13080
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/crampsmenstrual/a/cramps.htm
http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/menstrual_cra.htm
HTH!!!

@all Thank You so MUCH!! I tried many of them and some did lessen it but it was still a rough day and night. A little better today hopefully this will be the last day of excruciating pain :( and @Clair I hope your feeling better and i hope you read a response that helped you as well. —and if you aren’t feeling better and medicine is not helping laughter is the next best thing