5 Medications to Relieve Period Cramps Fast

As a young girl, I suffered many months of period cramp due to ignorance. In fact, I was surrounded by people who told me different things about my cramps. Some said it’s the sugar, some said it’s the tampon you’re using, some even said it’s because I wasn’t having sex while other just said, well it’s a cross you’re gonna have to carry until you have your first child.

Naïve me, I believed I was going to suffer every month until I got married and had a kid. Heck, the pain made me willing to marry the first guy that proposed. I kept up with pain endurance until a friend in college suggested I try Felvin, an NSAID. She told me to try taking the pill few days before my period. I was skeptical at first but hey, what did I have to lose?

I remember the feeling of having my period for the first time in years, without screaming at the top of my voice, throwing up and rolling over the house. It’s sad that many women still have to go through period pains without any knowledge of over the counter drugs that can help them get rid of that ugly pain.

Hey, I’m not a doctor; I’m not even close to being one but then again, the lady who recommended Felvin to me wasn’t a doctor either. So, before popping any of these pills into your mouth, I implore you to speak to a medical expert especially if you have a delicate medical history, are on medications already, react to drugs easily, are pregnant or trying to conceive.

So that being clarified, here they are:

5 Medications for Menstrual Pain

  1. Magnesium and Calcium Supplements

2017 clinical trialTrusted Source found that calcium supplements helped to reduce some symptoms of PMS, like bloating and fatigue. More so, they concluded that calcium supplementation was effective for reducing psychological symptoms, including sadness, mood swings, and anxiety (Healthline). Taken daily, magnesium may prevent dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) in some people. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle of the uterus and by reducing the prostaglandins that cause period pain (Clue).

  1. Felvin

Felvin Tablet is an NSAID used for the treatment of acute musculoskeletal conditions, swellings, stiffness, joint pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. Felvin has piroxicam as its active ingredient. The more general name for this drug is piroxicam. Felvin Tablet improves cramps by decreasing the production of prostaglandins that cause pain.

Side effects: These side effects are possible, but do not always occur. Some of the side effects may be rare but serious. Consult your doctor if you observe any of these following side effects or any weird symptoms at all.

  • Dizziness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Changes in the red blood cells
  • Vertigo
  • Blurred vision
  • Indigestion
  • Felvin also reduces period days due to its blood thinning properties

Dosage: Consult a pharmacist or doctor.

  1. Ibruprofen

Ibuprofen like Felvin, is also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It also works by reducing hormones that cause pain and inflammation in the body.

Ibuprofen is often used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps and minor injury.

Side effects: Although these side effects are possible, they do not always occur. Consult your doctor if you observe any of these following side effects or any weird symptoms at all.

  • upset stomach, mild heartburn, nausea, vomiting;
  • bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation;
  • dizziness, headache, nervousness;
  • mild itching or rash; or
  • ringing in your ears.

Note: An ibuprofen overdose can damage your stomach or intestines. Use only the dosage recommended by your physician.

Dosage: Consult a pharmacist or doctor.

  1. Asprin

Aspirin is a salicylate. Like NSAIDs, aspirin works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is used to treat pains and inflammation.

Side effects: some common aspirin side effects may include:

  • upset stomach
  • heartburn
  • drowsiness
  • mild headache.

Consult your doctor if you observe any of these following side effects or any weird symptoms at all.

Dosage: Consult a doctor or pharmacist

  1. Tylenol

Tylenol, an acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Tylenol is used to treat many painful conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers.

Side effects: These side effects though rare, might occur. Consult your doctor if you observe any of these following side effects or any weird symptoms at all.

  • Bloody or black, tarry stools
  • bloody urine
  • fever
  • sharp pain in the lower back and/or side
  • red spots on the skin
  • skin rash, hives, or itching
  • sore throat not present before treatment
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • sudden decrease in the amount of urine
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • yellow eyes or skin

Dosage: Consult a doctor or pharmacist

  1. Naproxen

Naproxen is another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It also works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.

Side Effects: Consult your doctor if you observe any of these following side effects or any weird symptoms at all.

  • Belching
  • bruising
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • feeling of indigestion
  • headache
  • itching skin
  • large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
  • pain in the chest below the breastbone
  • shortness of breath
  • skin eruptions
  • stomach pain
  • swelling
  • tightness in the chest
  • wheezing

Dosage: Consult a doctor or pharmacist

Yeah, that’s a lot of side effects! I was scared at first too until I consulted a physician who told me that most of the effects associated with these drugs are rare…and no, it would most likely not affect your ability to conceive in future. Side effect might also occur as a result of abuse of these drugs or intake of drugs without professional consultation with a medical expert. So it’s important that you consult a physician or medical expert before popping any of these pills into your mouth. If my explanation isn’t convincing enough, you can try these home remedies for menstrual pain instead or even try these cramp relieving exercises. Making some changes to your lifestyle can also help to prevent period cramps.

You can also check out more in-depth info on these drugs here.

 

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