How Is Medicine Changing for Menstrual Cramps?

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Millions of women struggle with painful menstrual cramps. Many do not even realize their pains are beyond the norm. Even more women fail to bring cramps up with their health care providers because they don’t believe a solution exists. Fortunately, as medicine continues to advance, women have more options than ever for treating menstrual cramps.

Over-the-Counter Medications

As scientists’ ability to research over-the-counter medications improves, we can make more educated decisions about the painkillers we take. Study results have identified that the regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) during your menstrual cycles is effective and low-risk. NSAIDs work by reducing the production of prostaglandin, which is the hormone responsible for painful inflammation.

Of course, doctors do not recommend NSAIDs for everyone, and it’s always a good idea to check with your physician before taking one regularly. Your doctor will likely weigh the advantages of a certain NSAID with the risks when deciding on an effective pain treatment for you.

Birth Control

Birth control as a means of controlling painful periods is not a new concept. Medical providers have been prescribing birth control such as Yasmin, for both heavy and painful menstrual cycles for years. Unfortunately, birth control is not an option for everyone. Women without health insurance might find it too expensive to see a physician and fill a birth control prescription.

Additionally, current political disagreements threaten the widespread availability of birth control to women. The importance of birth control pills as a way to prevent menstrual cramps is not widely known. Proposed changes would make it more difficult for even women with health insurance to take advantage of its pain-reducing effect.

Exercise

Exercise might be one of the last things you want to do when you have menstrual cramps. However, once you learn that exercise can not only help alleviate painful cramps but also improve your mood, you might be more motivated to get moving. If your period has you feeling down, consider trying light exercise, such as yoga or walking. With safer birth control pills and more effective over-the-counter medications, you might find it easier to take advantage of exercise.

Medical Tests

Imaging technology and diagnostic tools are improving rapidly. If you are experiencing severe cramps and heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle, your physician might use these modalities to determine what’s going on. Similar symptoms can also come from endometriosis, fibroids, uterine or cervical cancer, polyps, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

The first step toward understanding the cause of your painful cramps and heavy bleeding is to discuss it with your physician or gynecologist. They might recommend medical imaging to confirm a diagnosis. Then, they can determine the best treatment options available to you.

While you can expect some amount of cramping during your menstrual cycle, it should not interfere with your ability to function. If your periods are especially painful and heavy, more might be going on. It’s important to bring these cramps up with your medical provider. He or she can help you find a treatment option that will help.

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