Menstrual Cramps

Home Treatment

Try the following home treatment to help relieve your menstrual cramps:

• Use heat, such as hot water bottles, heating pads, or hot baths, to relax tense muscles and relieve cramping. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Drink herbal teas, such as chamomile, mint, raspberry, and blackberry, which may help soothe tense muscles and anxious moods.
• Exercise. Regular workouts decrease the severity of cramps. For more information, see the topic Fitness.
• Empty your bladder as soon as you have the urge to urinate.

For more information on managing menstrual cramps, see:

Menstrual cycle: Dealing with cramps.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• You become pregnant.
• Pain is getting worse despite home treatment.
• Menstrual cramps are lasting longer than your period.
• Other symptoms develop, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or vaginal discharge.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: May 18, 2009
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.