Period cramps

[euxene]

What do you all take if anything for menstrual cramps. I've always suffered from severe cramping but this is my first period in awhile and I'm so over it. I don't want to take tylenol e ery 4 hours but that's the only thing that will knock it out. (I can't take ibuprofen because it gives me killer heart burn)

 

[bolingbroke]

@euxene Magnesium is surprisingly effective.

 

[dmfordo]

@bolingbroke I would agree. I take magnesium glycinate and has helped a lot!

 

[heathercc7774]

@euxene I had good results with raspberry leaf tea as a teen (at least it was more effective than the obscene amount of ibuprofen I was taking). Yoga also helped.

Edit: I should also add the obvious, at least try to seek medical help if it's debilitating. I found my periods are much better since having kids, I know that's not the case for everyone.

 

[seadog]

@heathercc7774 Yep, tea yoga and heating pad. Red raspberry leaf or moon cycle tea.

 

[jake827]

@euxene Have you tried any sort of disc or cup? I also get horrible cramping, but using a menstrual cup has helped a bit. Definitely not a magic fix, but I'll take anything I can get.

 

[euxene]

@jake827 I just started using a disc today! Maybe it'll help

 

[memneso]

@euxene Anecdotally I also know that people switching to reusable pads has helped with pain too. Something about the plastic pads or the absorbancy of tampons was making the pain worse. Worth investigating if the disc doesn't work for you

 

[swcheek]

@euxene A disc made my cramps less painful, not sure if it was coincidence, I hardly ever have cramps anymore

 

[orangetabbycat]

@jake827 Ditto! I feel so much better using a cup than tampons…for many reasons.

 

[rilsil]

@euxene Honestly smoking weed was the only thing that helped me for quite a while. Obviously a personal choice if you’re nursing, I only ever smoked when past the breastfeeding stage.

 

[pepsibluefan]

@rilsil This is the only way

 

[vivandy]

@euxene When mine were bad, Tylenol didn't do enough and ibuprofen upset my stomach. I found that naproxen (Aleve) worked really well and is effective 8-12 hours. Try that?

I also did a really intense diet over 2 years to heal my gut with a focus on probiotics. Somehow the cramps went away during that process. That requires a lot of research and preferably consulting a doctor of some sort who can advise.

 

[gaga]

@vivandy I wish I had that persistence to troubleshoot and change my diet. Well done!

 

[tranquility999]

@euxene Someone told me years ago to stop having much dairy in the days leading up to my period and I'd cramp less. It actually does make a big difference. And ironically I usually crave milk right before my period so I was making it worse for myself!

 

[tukigirl83]

@euxene The book Taking Charge of your Fertility suggests taking turmeric capsules throughout your cycle, but taking more (and eating foods less likely to cause inflammation for your body) right before you period starts.

 

[swcheek]

@tukigirl83 That book is a must read it’s fantastic

 

[skateman40]

@euxene Period cramps are not supposed to be unmanageably painful. I would suggest seeing a doctor about possible endometriosis, PCOS, or other issues. In the meantime looks like there are lots of good suggestions!

 

[parkeratkins]

@euxene Reducing refined carbs and sugar for the week before my period helps a TON. Sort of tough because it’s a time for cravings, but it helps so much. I read the book Womancode and it helped a lot.

 

[vechung]

@euxene I try to stay extra hydrated, sleep more, take magnesium, and although I'm dairy free anyways, I am extra careful not to have any dairy or coffee a few days before and through my period.