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Certain over-the-counter products and home remedies, like using a heating pad, may help relieve pain associated with period cramps. Avoiding certain foods may also help.

1. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary over-the-counter (OTC) form of pain relief recommended for menstrual pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. NSAIDs include:

These drugs help lower your body’s production of prostaglandin. NSAIDs are not as effective as oral contraception at lowering prostaglandin, but they can help reduce pain.

2. Applying heat

Applying heat to your abdomen and lower back may relieve pain. A 2018 review of studies found that heat therapy (usually a heat patch or pack) was as effective at treating menstrual pain as NSAIDS. It also may cause fewer side effects. But the authors noted that more research is needed.

If you don’t have a hot water bottle or heating pad, take a warm bath or use a hot towel. Or, you can make your own heating pad:

  1. Cut and sew together two pieces of fabric, leaving a hole at the top.
  2. Fill with uncooked rice and sew up the hole.
  3. Microwave for a few minutes to the desired temperature. Don’t overheat!
  4. Let cool, if necessary. Or, wrap your homemade pad in a towel to reduce heat transfer. Reuse as necessary.

Consider visiting our resource page to find the best heating pads.

3. Massaging with essential oils

Massage therapy for about 20 minutes can help.

Massage therapy for menstruation involves pressing specific points while the therapist’s hands move around your abdomen, side, and back.

Adding essential oils for an aromatherapy style of massage may have additional benefits.

A 2018 review of studies found that massage therapy and aromatherapy can reduce menstrual pain. Some essential oils that may help include:

You should always dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil. Examples include vegetable or nut oils, such as grapeseed or sweet almond oil. A safe concentration is one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.

4. Having an orgasm

While there are no clinical studies on the direct effect of orgasms on menstrual cramps, science suggests it may help.

Vaginal orgasms involve your whole body, including your spinal cord, which signals the release of neurotransmitters. A vaginal orgasm can trigger your brain to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins and oxytocin. Endorphins can decrease pain perception.

Dr. Barry Komisaruk, a psychology professor at Rutgers University who studies the female orgasm, told the BBC in 2015, “Vaginal orgasms [are described] as being internal and involving the whole body; that’s probably because the nerves that carry sensations from the clitoris are different from the nerves from the vagina.”

Komisaruk’s 1985 study with Dr. Beverly Whipple was the first to find that vaginal self-stimulation doubled women’s tolerance for pain.

5. Avoiding certain foods

During menstruation, avoiding foods that cause bloating and water retention can help you. Some of the biggest culprits include:

Reducing or cutting out these foods can help alleviate cramps and decrease tension. Try soothing (caffeine-free) ginger or mint teas, or hot water flavored with lemon. If you need a sugar fix, consider snacking on fruits such as strawberries or raspberries.

6. Adding herbs to your diet

These herbal remedies contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that can reduce the muscle contractions and swelling associated with menstrual pain.

Herb or supplementDosageDoes it work?
chamomile teaSip two cups of tea per day a week before your period. You may benefit more if you drink it every month.A 2012 review of studies reports chamomile tea increases urinary levels of glycine, which helps relieve muscle spasms. Glycine also acts as a nerve relaxant.
fennel seedsWhen your period starts, take 30 mg of fennel extract four times a day for three days.A 2012 study looked at girls and women 15 to 24 years old. The group that took the extract reported feeling relief. The placebo group reported none.
cinnamonTake 840 mg of cinnamon capsules three times a day during the first three days of your period.In 2015, women who took cinnamon capsules in a study reported less bleeding, pain, nausea, and vomiting compared to the placebo group.
gingerTry grating a small piece of ginger into hot water for a warm cramp-relieving drink.One study of university students found that 250 mg of ginger powder four times a day for three days helped with pain relief. It also concluded ginger was as effective as ibuprofen.
French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol)Take 60 mg of French maritime pine bark extract per day during your cycle. This can help with more moderate menstrual pain.A 2008 study found that women who took 60 mg of French maritime pine bark extract per day during their cycle reported less pain. According to the study, the benefits increase as you take the pill and continue even after you stop.
dillTry 1,000 mg of dill for five days, starting two days before your cycle.A 2014 study concluded 1,000 mg dill was as effective for easing menstrual cramps as mefenamic acid, an OTC drug for menstrual pain.

Relief for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms

Curcumin, a natural chemical in turmeric, may help with symptoms of PMS. A small 2022 study focused on women living with PMS and dysmenorrhea who took one capsule of curcumin for 7 days before their period and 3 days after.

Research suggests that curcumin helps increase vitamin D levels in women living with both conditions, which can reduce symptoms.

If you want to give curcumin a try, check out this recipe for turmeric tea by In Jennie’s Kitchen.

Caution

Always make sure you’re buying herbs and supplements from a reputable source, as they are not regulated. While most of these herbal remedies have few side effects, check with your doctor before trying them.

Some herbs may also cause unintended side effects, especially if you’re taking medication. Most of these herbs and supplements also do not include specific instructions for menstrual periods.

Your doctor may have more information on dosage recommendations.

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Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping up a regular exercise regimen can go a long way toward preventing menstrual pain. A 2016 study of 250 women found significant differences between period pain in women who maintained a nutritious diet, exercised regularly, and reduced stress.

Read on for specific diet and exercise tips.

Diet

Generally, a diet geared toward decreasing menstrual pain should be high in minimally processed foods, fiber, and plants.

Give these foods a try:

Boron

Boron is a mineral that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. It also reduces menstrual cramps.

A 2015 study that looked at 113 university students found that boron reduced the intensity and length of menstrual pain.

Foods with high concentration of boron include:

You can also take boron supplements if your diet doesn’t provide enough. However, you should consult your doctor before taking boron supplements. Discover how boron helps brains and bones, too.

Water

It sounds odd, but drinking water keeps your body from retaining water and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation. Warm or hot water is usually better for cramps, as hot liquids increase blood flow to your skin and may relax cramped muscles.

You can also increase your hydration by eating water-based foods, including:

Calcium

This mineral can help reduce muscle cramping during menstruation. Foods high in calcium include:

Calcium is also available in supplement form. Speak with your doctor before taking supplements to find out if it’s safe for you.

Exercise

The idea of exercising immediately before or during your period may not appeal to you, but exercise releases endorphins.

Research suggests exercise is effective at reducing menstrual pain to the extent it may also eliminate or reduce the need for pain-relief medication.

Moderate activity such as walking can be beneficial during your period in place of more strenuous activity.

Interested in other women’s health products?

We’ve got you covered. Our reviews and comparisons cover the top products for sexual wellness, total-body health, and more so you can find what’s right for you.

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4 Yoga Poses to Relieve Cramps

Yoga is a gentle exercise that releases endorphins and can help prevent or reduce menstrual symptoms.

One study compared the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga on PMS symptoms. The researchers found that yoga and aerobic exercise significantly reduced PMS symptoms and pain intensity.

But yoga was more effective than aerobic exercise at reducing symptoms. Helpful yoga poses for PMS may include:

  • Cat-Cow Pose
  • Child’s Pose
  • Clank Pose
  • Cobra Pose

It’s common to feel discomfort around your abdomen, lower back, and thighs when you’re menstruating.

During your period, the muscles of your womb contract and relax to help shed built-up lining. Sometimes you’ll experience cramps, which means your muscles are at work. Some people may also experience:

Doctors are not sure why some people who menstruate experience painful symptoms and others don’t. Some factors associated with more intense pain include:

  • having a heavy menstrual flow
  • having your first child
  • being under the age of 20 or just starting your period
  • having an overproduction of or sensitivity to prostaglandins, a type of compound in the body that influences your womb

Other factors include:

In addition, physical symptoms for conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) include:

  • cramps
  • muscle and joint pain
  • bloating

Self-help remedies are available to help you lessen or prevent the pain and discomfort associated with menstrual cramps. You may consider the following remedies:

  • taking OTC medication
  • applying heat to your lower abdomen or back
  • massage therapy
  • having an orgasm
  • changing your diet during menstruation
  • adding herbs to your diet

If you try the remedies above, but your symptoms do not improve consider seeking professional support.

You should contact your doctor if you have severe pain and very heavy bleeding. See a doctor if:

  • the pain consistently prevents you from doing day-to-day activities
  • the pain worsens or bleeding gets heavier over time
  • you’re over 25 and severe cramps are a new development
  • OTC medication doesn’t work

For severe cases, the best way to get treatment is for a doctor to diagnose the cause of your menstrual pain. Period cramps can be difficult to deal with, but you’re not alone.

If you’re seeking a doctor try Healthline’s Find Care tool to find a qualified doctor near you.