Up to 9 out of every 10 girls and women have pain around the time of their period.1,2 The good news is that there are plenty of ways help ease the pain.
Pain and cramping around the time of the menstrual period is perfectly normal. It usually feels like a cramping pain in the lower part of the stomach, and there may occasionally be some pain in the lower back and at the top of your legs.3,4
The pain typically starts around the same time as menstrual bleeding or just before. It can last for around a day, although some people may suffer for a couple of days.4 For many girls and women the pain can be inconvenient, but for some the pain will be so severe that it stops them from going to school or work.2,4,5
Here are a few tips to help ease the pain.
Heat
Applying a little bit of heat to the stomach can actually help ease menstrual pain3,4,6 Try a heat patch or resting a hot water bottle on the stomach.
Exercise
There’s some evidence to suggest that exercise may help to reduce menstrual pain.5
To learn more about some exercises that can help your menstrual pain go to Exercise Cards: Wall Squats and Cat Stretch.
Massage
Some people use massage to ease their body aches and pains.4,6 Try massaging the painful area of the stomach with gentle, circular motions.
If you find you need effective, temporary pain relief, try over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol, paracetamol plus caffeine, NSAIDs or aspirin.3,7-9 These have been shown to assist with relieving menstrual pain4,8,9 and research shows that medicines containing 500mg paracetamol plus 65mg caffeine are more effective than paracetamol alone.8 Talk to your pharmacist about the most suitable over-the-counter pain reliever for your menstrual pain.
If you have any concerns about menstrual pain, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. In particular, you should see a doctor if any of the following apply:10
