Each menstrual cycle, many women experience menstrual cramps, which often times can be rather painful (…or at minimum, a nuisance).
Several at-home remedies provide relief. These include placing a hot towel on the abdomen, drinking a warm beverage or massaging the abdomen area. Sometimes though, these methods don’t quite reduce the pain enough at which time, medical treatments can be pursued.
3 common medical treatments for menstrual cramps include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Oral contraceptives
- Pain medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Cataflam, Naproxen, indomethacin and others reduce the production of prostaglandin, which in turn eases the cramps. Take medication as prescribed. But if you have asthma or have allergic reaction to aspirin or any other NSAID drug, you should avoid this option.
Oral contraceptives like birth control pills are another option for relief. Hormones present in the contraceptives help regulate your menstrual cycle and often help reduce or eliminate menstrual cramps. If the sole purpose of contraceptives is to reduce menstrual cramps, you should only need to take them for 6-12 months.
If neither of these options are available to you, doctors may prescribe codeine or some other pain medication for a short period of time.
IUDs like Paragard or others commonly cause slight menstrual cramping when you first have them put in. If you’re still having cramping pain 6 months after having the birth control device inserted, talk to your doctor about possibly removing it.
Each individual is unique so scheduling a consultation with a Well Woman Care specialist in Gainesville is the best option for finding a medical treatment that works. Call All About Women today at (352) 331-3332 (Gainesville) or (386) 754-1744 (Lake City) and speak with a gynecologist experienced in dealing with uncomfortable, and bothersome menstrual cramps.
