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How to stop cramps during your period

Where Painful Periods is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline
Illustration: Where Painful Periods is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline

Short answer

To ease period cramps, use a heat pack, gentle movement, rest, and an appropriate anti-inflammatory pain medicine if you can take it; seek assessment when pain is severe, new, worsening, or disrupting daily life.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Where cramps may spread
Lower back, pelvis, or thighs
Helpful self-care
Heat, gentle movement, rest, and suitable pain relief

What causes period cramps

During menstruation, the uterus contracts to shed its lining. These contractions can cause lower abdominal pain that may spread to the back or thighs, along with nausea, loose stools, headache, or tiredness. Painful periods are common, but pain that starts later in life, steadily worsens, or remains disabling deserves investigation.

Conditions that can present with painful periods include [Adenomyosis](/conditions/adenomyosis/), [Endometriosis](/conditions/endometriosis/), [Ovarian Endometrioma](/conditions/ovarian-endometrioma/), [Pelvic Inflammatory Disease](/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/), and [Uterine Fibroids](/conditions/uterine-fibroids/). A cramp does not establish any one of these diagnoses.

Ways to reduce the pain

Place warmth over the lower abdomen or back, take a warm shower, and try walking, stretching, or another gentle activity if it feels comfortable. An anti-inflammatory medicine may work best when taken early in the period, but check with a pharmacist or clinician first if you have stomach, kidney, bleeding, allergy, or pregnancy concerns. Keep a record of pain timing, bleeding, medicines, and missed activities. If home measures are not enough, discuss options such as the [Combined Pill](/treatments/contraception-and-family-planning/combined-pill/) or [Hormonal Coil](/treatments/contraception-and-family-planning/hormonal-coil/).

When to seek care

Seek urgent help for sudden severe pain, fainting, fever, repeated vomiting, a swollen or rigid abdomen, or pain with possible pregnancy. Arrange a medical review if cramps stop responding to your usual approach, begin between periods, occur with unusual discharge, or make work, study, sleep, or movement difficult. A clinician can examine you and choose tests based on the pattern.

Questions for your doctor

Could this pain be primary period cramping or a condition affecting the uterus, ovaries, or pelvis? Which pain medicine is suitable for me? Would hormonal treatment help, and what examination or tests should I consider?

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Should I stay in bed with period cramps?

Rest is reasonable when needed, but gentle walking or stretching can help some people if it does not increase pain.

When are cramps a reason to see a doctor?

Book an assessment for severe, worsening, new, or disabling pain, especially with unusual bleeding, fever, discharge, or pain outside your period.

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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.