DiagnosisYour health care provider will review your medical history and perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. During the pelvic exam, your provider checks for anything unusual with the reproductive organs and looks for signs of infection. Show
Your provider may also recommend certain tests, including:
TreatmentTo ease your menstrual cramps, your health care provider might recommend:
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Alternative medicineMost alternative therapies for treating menstrual cramps haven't been studied enough for experts to recommend them. However, some alternative treatments might help, including:
Preparing for your appointmentIf you have bothersome menstrual cramps, make an appointment with either your primary physician or a doctor who specializes in the female reproductive system (gynecologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can doTrack your menstrual periods, when they begin and how severe your cramps are. Also, make a list of:
For menstrual cramps, basic questions include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions as they occur to you. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:
What you can do in the meantimeWhen you have cramps, try taking a warm bath or applying a heating pad, hot water bottle or heat patch to your abdomen. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, also might help. What painkiller is best for menstrual cramps?To ease your menstrual cramps, your health care provider might recommend: Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin can help control the pain of cramps.
Is Tylenol better for menstrual cramps?Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also a pain reliever, but it's not an NSAID. It stops pain by blocking chemicals in the brain that cause pain. Research suggests NSAIDs may work better than acetaminophen for menstrual cramps. But acetaminophen is still an effective pain reliever option for many people.
Why does Tylenol not work for period cramps?Some women make more prostaglandins or are more sensitive to them than others, so they may have stronger and more frequent cramps (actually, uterine muscle contractions) during the first day or two of menstruation, or they may find that the usual painkillers don't bring relief.
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