Menstrual Cramps: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Menstrual cramps occur during menstruation. They refer to the pain in the lower abdomen caused by the contracting of the uterine walls and the shedding of the lining. Recent studies have shown that the pain that a woman goes through during periods can be equivalent to the pain that is experienced during a heart attack. It is not uncommon for women to pass out or get nauseas because of the severity of the pain. This is why it is wise to seek out treatment.

The main course of treatment for menstrual pains is painkillers. There are various painkillers available in the market that are designed specifically to work on pain caused by menstruation. For people with very heavy bleeding, the treatment goes beyond just treating the pain and often patients are given hydrating fluids to combat the loss of blood.

Menstruation comes with its own set of symptoms for different women. This is why a treatment that may work for one person may not work for someone else. Therefore, there is a little bit of trial and error that is required as you explore the various treatment options available to you. Though that might take some time, it’s important to note that these treatments are highly effective and can relieve you of your painful symptoms in no time.

For some women, the menstrual cramps can start a few days before their period does while for others, they start on the first day of bleeding. Whichever the case may be, if the pain is severe, there is no shame in seeking out treatment. You can consult with your general doctor or go to your gynaecologist to find treatment options that suit your cycle properly. Once you know what your treatment is, you can administer it yourself every month.

If you visit a gynaecologist, he or she will ask you questions about your cycle, its duration, and severity of the pain. Sometimes, an ultrasound might be recommended to rule out any other problems that may be leading to the pain. Once it is determined that it is just menstrual cramps, then you will be prescribed painkillers. More often than not, these painkillers are available over the counter and do not require a prescription. The exact dosage and pill will depend on your medical history. You may even be asked to drink oral rehydrating fluids during your menstrual cycle if your bleeding is extremely heavy and causes weakness. You can get the pills every month at your local drug store.

If you normally suffer from severe menstrual cramps, you should consult with a doctor regardless of whether or not you are on your period. You can begin the treatment as advised.

Most menstrual cycles cause a certain amount of pain. However, if you are not accustomed to severe pain since it is not a part of your normal cycle, then you should consult with a doctor regarding it. This pain might be caused due to a different condition that you may be suffering from and may not necessarily have anything to do with your period. In this case, you are not eligible to seek out this treatment.

Painkillers come with a few side effects. The most common ones are drowsiness, slight confusion, and the urge to sleep. Depending on the strength of the dosage and your body’s reaction, you may or may not experience all of these side effects.

As menstrual cramps reoccur on a monthly basis, the trick is to follow the treatment every time you need it. Other than that, there are no post treatment guidelines that you need to worry about.

Once you’ve had the medication, it can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour for the effects to kick in. If it takes longer than that or does not work at all, you should consult with your doctor for a different treatment.

Most painkillers range in price between Rs. 50 – Rs. 200.

Menstrual cramps occur every month along with your cycle. Thus the results of the treatment are not permanent.

There are many home remedies that you can look at to resolve your menstrual cramps. For mild to moderate cramps, you can use a hot water bottle and place it on your abdomen to soothe the muscles beneath. This can be quite effective. Chewing ginger is also known to ease menstrual cramps. You can also consume tea prepared with honey, turmeric, and ginger to soothe the pain that you are feeling. Keeping your diet light and enjoying a warm bath and can also help you with the pain you are experiencing. There are also a few herbal remedies that can help you. Burning different types of essential oils such as clary sage oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil can help you as these oils have the properties of an emmenogogue, which means they not only stimulate menstruation but also help with the symptoms of PMS and menstrual cramps.