What helps stop period cramps?

Period cramps are caused by womb contractions as the uterine lining is shed. Cramping can spread into the lower back or thighs and may come with nausea, diarrhoea, headache, or tiredness. Pain that is unusually severe, starts later in life, worsens over time, or continues outside bleeding may have another cause. Adenomyosis, endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma, pelvic inflammatory disease, and uterine fibroids can all be considered during an assessment; a cramp is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

Place a wrapped hot-water bottle or heat pad over the lower abdomen, take a warm bath, and try walking or gentle stretching. If anti-inflammatory medicine is suitable for you, follow the packet directions and consider taking it early in the pain episode; check with a pharmacist or clinician first if you have stomach, kidney, bleeding, allergy, pregnancy, or other medicine concerns. Keep a record of pain, bleeding, bowel or bladder symptoms, and missed activities. A clinician may discuss hormonal options such as the combined pill or hormonal coil when appropriate.

Arrange an appointment when cramps repeatedly disrupt school, work, sleep, or daily activities, or when self-care no longer helps. Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, fainting, fever, vomiting that prevents fluids, unusual discharge, or possible pregnancy with pain or bleeding. New pain between periods or pain during sex should also be assessed.

Ask whether your pain pattern suggests a condition beyond ordinary period cramps, which medicine is suitable for you, and whether the combined pill or hormonal coil could help. Ask what symptoms should trigger urgent review.