Up to 90 percent of women suffer from cramps. Menstrual Cramps (medically known as dysmenorrhea) are caused when the uterus tightens during a woman’s period. Although the cramps are usually focused in the abdomen, some women also experience pain in their lower back.
In addition to taking medicine, women can help cramps by applying heat to their abdomen or back. This should be done for 20 minutes once or twice a day. A heating pad, hot water bottle or a warm bath is the best choice for applying heat. Exercise also helps relieve pain, so rather than remaining in bed, women should stay active. In addition, women should stay away from caffeine, as it can make them feel stressed out.
One way to reduce the pain caused by cramps is to take birth control. Certain hormones can increase the pain caused by cramps during menstruation. Because oral contraceptives regulate hormones, they decrease the pain caused by cramps. In severe cases, women can also skip the blank pills and reduce the number of times per year that they menstruate. Although oral contraceptives have been fairly successful, some doctors are hesitant about prescribing them for women who wouldn’t take them otherwise.
Some of the more popular medications for menstrual cramps include naproxen, Naprelan and Anaprax. One of the difficulties with Anaprax is that side effects cannot be predicted. Although they are fairly mild, they can include abdominal pain, nausea, sweating, fluid retention, vertigo, diarrhea, labored breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, hearing disturbances, heartburn, indigestion, inflammation of the mouth, itching, light-headedness and vision changes. Rare side effects can be more serious. Naprelan side effects can include back pain, flu symptoms, infection, sinus inflammation, sore throat and urinary infection. Because Anaprax and Naprelan contain sodium, patients on low-sodium diets should discuss effects with their doctor.
Women generally start the medication a few days before or at the start of their period. Generally the medication is continued through the first, second and third days of the period. On rare occasions doctors prescribe narcotics, but because they are such serious drugs doctors mostly avoid it.
