Menstrual Cramps

Home Treatment

Try the following home treatment to help relieve your menstrual cramps:

• Use heat, such as hot water bottles, heating pads, or hot baths, to relax tense muscles and relieve cramping. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Drink herbal teas, such as chamomile, mint, raspberry, and blackberry, which may help soothe tense muscles and anxious moods.
• Exercise. Regular workouts decrease the severity of cramps. For more information, see the topic Fitness.
• Empty your bladder as soon as you have the urge to urinate.

For more information on managing menstrual cramps, see:

Managing menstrual cramps.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a non-prescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or Panadol Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) ASA (also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Aspirin or Bufferin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a non-prescription medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give ASA to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• You become pregnant.
• Pain is getting worse despite home treatment.
• Menstrual cramps are lasting longer than your period.
• Other symptoms develop, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or vaginal discharge.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 29, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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