Period Pain

What medications are there for period pain?

There are two main methods for treating period pain with medication. The first is to treat the symptoms with painkillers. Over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin can provide some relief from painful periods. Tranexamic acid is also available from your pharmacy without prescription. More powerful painkillers can have side effects and aren’t a good choice to use often.

The other option for period pain medication is to limit the hormonal changes that cause the pain. This can be achieved with hormonal contraceptives, such as the mini pill, the injection, the implant or the IUS (intrauterine system). These work through the use of a progestin, a lab made chemical which works like the female hormone progesterone. This thins the lining of the uterus, so there is shorter bleeding and fewer contractions needed.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for period pain?

Utovlan (active ingredient norethisterone) is a contraceptive that comes as a tablet. It’s especially effective for treating period pain and it doesn’t need to be used as a contraceptive to treat pain effectively. You just need to take a 5mg dose three times a day from day 5-26 of your cycle each month. Day one of your cycle is the first day of your period. You will usually experience bleeding once you stop taking the tablets, but it should be lighter and less painful.

It’s not effective as a contraceptive when it’s used this way, so it may be a better choice than other oral contraceptives, the implant, the injection or the IUS if you’re trying to get pregnant. But if you don’t want to get pregnant, you should use an extra form of contraception like a condom.

Does period pain always need treatment?

Before you try prescription treatment for period pain, you may want to try self help measures instead. There are lots of things which can help reduce period pain that you can try yourself at home.

• Using an over the counter painkiller like ibuprofen or aspirin. Your clinician may be able to prescribe you a stronger painkiller if these don’t work well enough;
• Using heating pads, hot water bottles or taking a warm bath;
• Gentle exercise such as walking, yoga or swimming. Although exercise might be the last thing on your mind, it’s one of the most effective self-care methods;
• Massaging your stomach where the pain is, or your lower back;
• Quitting smoking if you smoke. Smoking may increase period pain (possibly because it damages circulation);
• Wear loose-fitting clothing around your period. Tight clothing across the stomach may worsen pain.