Menstrual cycle: Dealing with cramps

Introduction

Most women have painful cramps from their period from time to time. The good news is that you can usually relieve cramps with over-the-counter medicine and home treatment.

Key points

• Pain medicine and home treatment can help ease cramps.
• Stay ahead of the pain. Take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen (Advil, for example) as soon as you feel cramps or on the day before you get your period.

 What are menstrual cramps?
 Why do I get cramps when I have my period?
 How can I manage pain from menstrual cramps?
 Where to go from here

Return to topic:

• Menstrual Cramps
• Normal Menstrual Cycle

Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 11, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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