How To Get Rid Of Period Pain
For girls and women, the menstrual cycle is the natural process that happens every month as the body prepares itself for pregnancy. During this time when the lining of the womb is being shed, it’s perfectly normal to experience some cramping pain in the lower abdomen. Occasionally, there may be some pain in the lower back and the top of your legs.
What is period pain?
Menstrual pain is perfectly normal and usually felt in the lower part of the abdomen, and occasionally in the lower back and at the top of your legs.
The pain typically starts around the same time as menstrual bleeding or just before. It can last for around a day, although some may suffer for a couple of days. For many girls and women the pain can be tolerated, but sometimes the pain will be so severe that it stops them from going to school or work.
Here are a few tips to help ease the pain:
Medicine to ease period pain
For temporary pain relief, try over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol, NSAIDs or aspirin. These have been shown to help relieve menstrual pain and research shows that medicines combining 500 mg of paracetamol plus 65 mg of caffeine are more effective for menstrual pain than paracetamol alone.
When to see a doctor
If you have any concerns about menstrual pain, seek your pharmacist or doctor for advice, especially if you experience any of the following:
- severe pain
- abdominal pain even when it’s not your menstrual period
- an abnormal discharge from the vagina, especially if it is thick or smelly
- a fever and low abdominal pain
