Dealing with bad cramps?

So, for the last few months, I’ve been cutting out dairy a few days before my period starts, and honestly, it actually helps. One time, I totally forgot my cycle was coming up the next day and treated myself to a milk pudding; predictably, the cramps hit just as hard as they always do. Even if I eat something like tiramisu on the very first day, I still feel the pain the following day (even though it's not technically the start). I’ve had my stomach act up twice now, both times because I wasn't watching the dairy intake.

Ladies, you might want to try skipping the dairy for a couple of days right before your period hits. I’m not saying go full vegan and quit milk forever, just maybe take a break for those few specific days. 🙂

Alex Thomas27 said:So, for the last few months, I’ve been cutting out dairy a few days before my period starts, and honestly, it actually helps. One time, I totally forgot my cycle was coming up the next day and treated myself to a milk pudding; predictably, the cramps hit just as hard as they always do. Even if I eat something like tiramisu on the very first day, I still feel the pain the following day (even though it's not technically the start). I’ve had my stomach act up twice now, both times because I wasn't watching the dairy intake.

Ladies, you might want to try skipping the dairy for a couple of days right before your period hits. I’m not saying go full vegan and quit milk forever, just maybe take a break for those few specific days. 🙂

You definitely need to cut down on sweets and ditch the coffee too. It seems to be working for me this time—I wasn't reduced to tears, just dealing with a dull, annoying ache, which is way better than what I've dealt with lately. Also, am I the only one who deals with totally messed up digestion along with these cramps? Sometimes it feels like my gut is hurting more than anything else.

redeagle96 said:I'm dealing with the exact same thing. Every month, those first two or three days are a nightmare—I can't get through them without taking at least three pills a day. The pain is insane, plus nausea, vomiting, weakness in my limbs, blackouts, and heavy bleeding... I started using Advil or Aleve when I was 16, and by the time I hit 20, I was undergoing an endoscopy. They diagnosed me with erosive gastritis with bleeding in my stomach, esophagus, and duodenum. The very first thing my doctor asked after the procedure was what kind of painkillers I use. When she heard my list, she told me those were likely the main cause of the bleeding and the damage to my stomach. It’s not that you can’t take *anything* for pain, it’s just that you shouldn't rely on NSAIDs, aspirin, or things like Voltaren (or use them as often as you were). For me, I use effervescent Tylenol (1000mg), which is much easier on the stomach and actually works. Besides that, other effervescent options like certain acetaminophen brands work too. Basically, my gastroenterologist said anything based on acetaminophen is fine. On the days when the pain is so bad nothing helps, I just head to the ER to get a Voltaren injection... though my doctor did mention that taking a single dose of something like Motrin occasionally won't kill you. At least, that's what she told me. Also, another doctor suggested trying Evening Primrose tea, which is specifically meant to ease menstrual cramps. A friend of mine had terrible issues too, and she’s been drinking it every month; she says she hasn't had major pain in almost six months now. So, I don't know, it might be worth a shot. 🙂

How often do you drink that tea, and is it okay to drink it during your period?
And how long does it take before you actually start feeling the effects?

I have this massive issue with those pills too, mostly because my appetite is so low that my stomach feels tiny, so I end up swallowing 3 or 4 Advils or Aleves when it gets bad, and then I just feel sick to my stomach right after.

I've tried everything, even those old wives' tales where people say to soak a rag in whiskey and lay on it with it over your abdomen 🤦 supposedly to make the pain go away. Yeah, right. Total nonsense.

I even found a thread on an old forum saying you should warm up cabbage leaves on a cloth and use them as warm compresses on your belly to ease the ache. Tried that too. 🙈

In the end, I always just end up loading up on painkillers like some kind of addict, which just makes me nauseous. If there is any tea or anything effective made from natural ingredients, I would be seriously grateful to hear about it. 🙂

People claim ibuprofen is the same thing as Advil, but they’re wrong. I take one Advil and feel fine; I take four of the other stuff and nothing happens. Plus, you can grab Advil over the counter while the other brand is strictly prescription. It's clearly just kid's medicine.😕

My heart truly goes out to everyone dealing with this...😢

From the very beginning, I have been plagued by incredibly painful and heavy periods. What’s more, I’ve started to notice that as I get older, these struggles seem to be intensifying.

For me, it isn't just abdominal pain; I suffer from intestinal cramps, and my legs and arms ache so much that I feel like I'm coming down with the flu, while my head throbs with what feels like a relentless migraine.
Essentially, it is an absolute nightmare from head to toe... and it lasts for four days every single month.🙂

In the early days, I relied on Voltaren, but I eventually had to stop because it was causing issues with my digestive system. Later, I discovered Neofen, and I have been taking it for nearly ten years now because it actually works for me. Typically, I take a 400 mg dose all at once, which provides relief for about six hours. I make sure to eat a little something before taking it, as I find it works more effectively that way. I also try to lie down for half an hour afterward, which seems to help the medication settle in better. I have tried taking it "on the go" a few times, but it didn't seem to have any effect at all.

The most difficult part is how often I end up staining my clothes, so I completely avoid wearing jeans; instead, I stick to dark skirts or dresses paired with black leggings or tights. I realized that this helps hold everything in place much more securely. My bed linens also get ruined regularly, no matter how careful I try to be—perhaps I should look into adult diapers?!🙂

And what is 😲 most frustrating of all is that every single month, I go through three to three packs of pads! For the first two days, I use nothing but the largest overnight varieties, as anything else simply isn't absorbent enough for me.

And so it goes...😢

Bradley Gray54 said:My heart truly goes out to everyone dealing with this...😢

From the very beginning, I have been plagued by incredibly painful and heavy periods. What’s more, I’ve started to notice that as I get older, these struggles seem to be intensifying.

For me, it isn't just abdominal pain; I suffer from intestinal cramps, and my legs and arms ache so much that I feel like I'm coming down with the flu, while my head throbs with what feels like a relentless migraine.
Essentially, it is an absolute nightmare from head to toe... and it lasts for four days every single month.🙂

In the early days, I relied on Voltaren, but I eventually had to stop because it was causing issues with my digestive system. Later, I discovered Neofen, and I have been taking it for nearly ten years now because it actually works for me. Typically, I take a 400 mg dose all at once, which provides relief for about six hours. I make sure to eat a little something before taking it, as I find it works more effectively that way. I also try to lie down for half an hour afterward, which seems to help the medication settle in better. I have tried taking it "on the go" a few times, but it didn't seem to have any effect at all.

The most difficult part is how often I end up staining my clothes, so I completely avoid wearing jeans; instead, I stick to dark skirts or dresses paired with black leggings or tights. I realized that this helps hold everything in place much more securely. My bed linens also get ruined regularly, no matter how careful I try to be—perhaps I should look into adult diapers?!🙂

And what is 😲 most frustrating of all is that every single month, I go through three to three packs of pads! For the first two days, I use nothing but the largest overnight varieties, as anything else simply isn't absorbent enough for me.

And so it goes...😢

You really ought to see a gynecologist. That kind of bleeding seems way too heavy. You’re going to end up anemic if you aren't already.

You really ought to go see a gynecologist, because that level of bleeding is just too much. You'll end up becoming anemic, if you haven't already.

I have consulted with gynecologists about this numerous times, yet every single one tells me that this is simply how my body functions—that for certain women, this volume is perfectly normal and I should just learn to live with it😢.
I have never dealt with anemia, and my blood work always comes back perfect.
It is just that it makes my daily life incredibly difficult, not to mention the sheer amount of money I waste on sanitary products😠.

I even tried taking birth control for a while, but it didn't do anything to reduce the flow at all!

Bradley Gray54 said:

You really ought to go see a gynecologist, because that level of bleeding is just too much. You'll end up becoming anemic, if you haven't already.

I have consulted with gynecologists about this numerous times, yet every single one tells me that this is simply how my body functions—that for certain women, this volume is perfectly normal and I should just learn to live with it😢.
I have never dealt with anemia, and my blood work always comes back perfect.
It is just that it makes my daily life incredibly difficult, not to mention the sheer amount of money I waste on sanitary products😠.

I even tried taking birth control for a while, but it didn't do anything to reduce the flow at all!

Here’s a little something to make you feel better 😉.

I stumbled upon this article claiming that women with wider hips and more curves experience more intense cramps due to higher estrogen levels—and apparently, researchers in Italy have linked it to being "attractive"🤣.
That’s a huge comfort when those agonizing cramps hit 😢 and everything feels impossible, assuming it’s actually true, of course.

Talk about a double-edged sword, right? 😕


I’ve never touched birth control myself; I’ve always been wary of putting synthetic chemicals in my body, no matter how small the dose.

But I did consult with Dr. Ayman over in New Haven, and he suggested taking a teaspoon of unrefined borage oil twice a day—you can actually order it directly from him—along with some sage tea.
So, we’ll see if things take a turn for the better this month.🙂

here is a little something to cheer you up 😉

I came across this article suggesting that women with wider hips and more prominent curves might experience more intense pain due to higher estrogen levels, and apparently, some researchers in Italy have actually linked this physical trait to attractiveness 🤣

Hmm... it’s an interesting theory, I suppose, though who can truly say if there is any real truth to it? 😁
I used to have much narrower hips, but they flared out quite a bit just a few years ago, which means 🤷
I also find myself frequently drinking sage with honey—which happens to be my absolute favorite tea 😍—and fennel, since people claim it’s a cure-all, yet I haven't noticed any actual relief regarding these specific issues

But really, I have simply come to terms with the fact that this is just my lot in life, and there isn't much I can do about it

My previous gynecologist once told me, "Oh, you poor women, it seems it's just your destiny to suffer!"

Linda Ward3 said:How often do you drink that tea, and is it okay to drink it during your period?
And how long does it take before you actually start feeling the effects?

I have this massive issue with those pills too, mostly because my appetite is so low that my stomach feels tiny, so I end up swallowing 3 or 4 Advils or Aleves when it gets bad, and then I just feel sick to my stomach right after.

I've tried everything, even those old wives' tales where people say to soak a rag in whiskey and lay on it with it over your abdomen 🤦 supposedly to make the pain go away. Yeah, right. Total nonsense.

I even found a thread on an old forum saying you should warm up cabbage leaves on a cloth and use them as warm compresses on your belly to ease the ache. Tried that too. 🙈

In the end, I always just end up loading up on painkillers like some kind of addict, which just makes me nauseous. If there is any tea or anything effective made from natural ingredients, I would be seriously grateful to hear about it. 🙂

Hey, I just saw your question.
A friend told me she starts drinking it about 10 to 14 days before her period starts and keeps going through the actual days.
She also said she’s been on it for about eight months now. After the first month, the pain eased up a bit, by the second month it was almost gone, and after half a year, she hasn't had any pain at all. Before that, she dealt with it every single month for years.
I think it's worth a shot since there's really nothing to lose.
I'm heading out to pick some up in a few days, so I'll ask the pharmacist for the best way to take it. Once I start, I'll let you know if things actually start looking up.
A few days ago, I had a cramp attack worse than anything I've ever felt. Nothing the pills did helped, and I was throwing up even after just sipping water.😳
I am honestly willing to try anything just so I don't have to deal with pain this intense ever again...

Ethan Johnson2 said:People claim ibuprofen is the same thing as Advil, but they’re wrong. I take one Advil and feel fine; I take four of the other stuff and nothing happens. Plus, you can grab Advil over the counter while the other brand is strictly prescription. It's clearly just kid's medicine.😕

"Ibuprofen" is just Ibuprofen. Seriously, what kind of marketing department comes up with a name like that? It’s like if a car company decided to name their flagship sedan "Car." No flair, no personality, just straight to the point. It feels less like a brand and more like a placeholder.

Think of Neofen as basically the ibuprofen of the group. It’s that go-to stuff you grab when you need to take the edge off some pain.
So, Neofen comes in a single pack that contains 20 tablets, and each one of those has 200 mg of ibuprofen in it.
If you're looking at Neofen Forte, just a heads-up on the dosage: there’s 400 mg of ibuprofen in every single tablet. Each pack comes with 10 of them.
Is Neofen syrup meant for kids, or is it more for people who just have a hard time swallowing pills for some reason?

You can pick up Neofen over the counter because that’s just how it’s registered here in the States. It's similar to how you might grab some basic ibuprofen at a CVS or Walgreens without needing a doctor to sign off on it first.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Just a tiny dose and some minimal packaging.

Ibuprofen 30x400 mg—basically, that’s a pack of 30 tablets. Since we're talking about a larger quantity like this, it's usually intended for longer-term use, so you'll need to have a doctor check you out and write you a prescription first.

Of course you can tell me now. If I know what's up, I can go ahead and grab three boxes of Neofen Forte.
It’s really about looking out for the patient and making sure they actually follow through with seeing a doctor. Sometimes you have to be that nudge in their ear to ensure they don't just ignore the symptoms and hope for the best. It's like when a car makes that weird clicking sound—you can ignore it for a while, but eventually, you've got to get it into the shop before you're stranded on the side of the highway. Taking that initiative is key to getting them the care they need.

If you’re dealing with heavy-duty menstrual cramps, sometimes the standard stuff just doesn't cut it. In those cases, you might want to pick up a spasmolytic to help take the edge off—something like an over-the-counter Advil or even a targeted antispasmodic if you can find one. It's all about finding that extra bit of relief when things get uncomfortable.
I’ve been seeing a lot of questions lately about whether Spasmex or Buscol is the better way to go when your stomach is acting up. It’s one of those classic dilemmas—like deciding between a reliable old Ford truck and a sleek new Tesla. They both get you where you need to go, but the ride feels a little different. If you're dealing with those sharp, cramping pains, think of it this way: Spasmex is like a heavy-duty wrench. It’s designed to really grab onto those muscle spasms and tighten things up to stop the discomfort. It’s very direct. On the other hand, Buscol tends to be a bit more subtle. It works more like a calming balm, easing the tension in your digestive tract without being quite as aggressive. Of course, everyone's body reacts differently. What works for one person might do absolutely nothing for another. It’s always best to check in with your doctor before you start playing chemist with your medicine cabinet, though. They know your medical history better than anyone else can. Stay safe out there!
If you’re looking for Buscopan without a prescription, you won't find it at a local CVS or Walgreens here in the States. In the U.S., most of those specific antispasmodic medications are prescription-only. It’s a bit like trying to buy certain specialized tools at a hardware store only to realize you need a professional license just to get through the door. If your stomach is acting up and you need something right away, your best bet is to head over to the over-the-counter aisle. You’ll see plenty of options like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol, which can help with different kinds of digestive issues. However, if you specifically need an antispasmodic to deal with cramping, it might be worth a quick call to your doctor or a chat with a pharmacist. They can point you toward an American equivalent that doesn't require a formal script, or let you know if you really do need to see a physician to get exactly what you're looking for.

Bradley Gray54 said:My heart truly goes out to everyone dealing with this...😢

From the very beginning, I have been plagued by incredibly painful and heavy periods. What’s more, I’ve started to notice that as I get older, these struggles seem to be intensifying.

For me, it isn't just abdominal pain; I suffer from intestinal cramps, and my legs and arms ache so much that I feel like I'm coming down with the flu, while my head throbs with what feels like a relentless migraine.
Essentially, it is an absolute nightmare from head to toe... and it lasts for four days every single month.🙂

In the early days, I relied on Voltaren, but I eventually had to stop because it was causing issues with my digestive system. Later, I discovered Neofen, and I have been taking it for nearly ten years now because it actually works for me. Typically, I take a 400 mg dose all at once, which provides relief for about six hours. I make sure to eat a little something before taking it, as I find it works more effectively that way. I also try to lie down for half an hour afterward, which seems to help the medication settle in better. I have tried taking it "on the go" a few times, but it didn't seem to have any effect at all.

The most difficult part is how often I end up staining my clothes, so I completely avoid wearing jeans; instead, I stick to dark skirts or dresses paired with black leggings or tights. I realized that this helps hold everything in place much more securely. My bed linens also get ruined regularly, no matter how careful I try to be—perhaps I should look into adult diapers?!🙂

And what is 😲 most frustrating of all is that every single month, I go through three to three packs of pads! For the first two days, I use nothing but the largest overnight varieties, as anything else simply isn't absorbent enough for me.

And so it goes...😢

If it makes you feel any better, I have to use those massive overnight pads for the first five days, and then I can finally switch to the smaller ones on day six.

During those first two days, I’m literally waking up every hour and a half at night. If I didn't, I'd soak through my pajamas—which is what I wear during those days since it's more comfortable—and the sheets. By the third day, I'm waking up roughly every three hours, and then on the fourth and fifth, I actually manage to sleep through the night. Though, by my definition, "sleeping through the night" means lying down around 1:00 AM and getting up at 6:00.

Throughout the entire cycle, I burn through about five packs of those big overnight pads plus nearly an entire pack of the smaller ones. The pad industry basically exists because of me.

It’s an absolute nightmare. One time, I had to head down to the local police station for some paperwork and there was this massive line, it took forever... As soon as I finished my business, I had to sprint to find the nearest restroom and... yeah, total disaster.

And don't even get me started on the cramps...

Honestly, the only thing that ever actually touched my pain was this little device I stumbled upon through a friend years ago—it feels like a lifetime since then—and now I’m seriously considering getting another one.

It’s battery-operated and uses electrical pulses; you can dial the intensity up or down depending on what feels right for you.

It's hard to describe a gadget I haven't laid eyes on in ages, so I figured I’d just drop this link here. Just a heads-up, though: the specific model I used wasn't exactly this brand... I'm just posting the link so you can see the general idea of how they look.

Anyway, it worked wonders for me. It could kill my worst cramps in about five minutes flat. When you crank up the intensity, there's this brief, awkward twitching sensation for a second or two—kind of jarring at first—but then, suddenly, it’s incredible. You can even dial it back to a lower setting... it feels like a deep, soothing internal massage. And it works. Period. It got me to the point where I didn't even need painkillers anymore.

Does anyone know if you can pick something like this up somewhere here in the States? If so, where should I look and what kind of price range am I looking at? Any info at all would be a huge help.

Steven Chavez 😲😢

I’ve been sitting here reading through your post, and I honestly feel for you; specifically regarding how much money you’re burning through every single month just to deal with those endless, exhausting nights spent tossing and turning. 🙂
I think I would completely lose my mind if I were in your shoes right now.
Have you had a chance to check if your blood work is looking okay?

Hang in there, and don't let it get you down. 🙂

Yeah, my blood work comes back spotless every single time. I stay on top of the checkups religiously, and honestly, they haven't found a damn thing out of the ordinary yet.

I appreciate the vote of confidence. 🙂

So, I’m pretty sure I actually burned my stomach lining last month. 😢 I couldn't get my hands on any Advil, so after taking some Motrin a month ago, I ended up relying on Tylenol, Aleve, and Midol. I ended up taking all of them at once 😍 because nothing else was touching the pain—and honestly, even that 1000mg effervescent Midol was about as useful as holy water; it did absolutely nothing.
Anyway, it wasn't until I finally took some Aleve after three days that I could actually breathe again. It makes me feel a little groggy and sleepy, but hey, can you really complain about being able to function for those few days of the month?

This was easily one of the strangest cycles I've ever had. For five days leading up, I was just a sobbing mess, blasting Eurovision hits and old patriotic anthems, crying from sunrise to sunset. 🤷 It was clearly some intense PMS, but once the period actually hit, it felt like a million tiny demons were poking at me with fairies inside my abdomen. That's the only way to describe it.
On the months where my PMS isn't as brutal (sometimes I don't even realize it's coming), the cramps are actually manageable. 🤷
Moving forward, I think I'll just stick with Aleve; if you take two tablets right away like the instructions say, it kicks in pretty fast. For now, it's the closest thing I've found to Advil. 👍

Right now, I’m just getting by using a mix of Brufen and Buscopan. I take a few throughout the day, but it stays manageable. One time, I didn't have anything for the pain at home, and I couldn't exactly wait a few hours to drive to CVS, so I just knocked back three Buscopans within an hour and a half or two. 🙏 I totally forgot I was even on my period—it was amazing, zero cramps. I wouldn't dare do that again, though. Sure, you can pop two at once, but you really need a longer gap than an hour before the next dose.

But man, the pain got so bad that I honestly didn't care what happened to me; I just wanted the cramping to stop.

Try some anise and fennel tea; it really helped me out. It’s actually what they give babies for colic...

I also started taking some Femisan A drops, so we'll see how it goes. They didn't seem to do much the first month, but I started taking them a day before my period this time...🤷

Does that tea actually work? Where can I grab some? And how many times a day are you drinking it?

The first day is the only part that kills me, but honestly, the cramps make me want to gag. I’ve realized the older I get, the worse it gets. 😢 Before I was 18, I didn't even know what period pain felt like. Since then, I've taken an Advil here and there, but now? Almost every single month, I'm cursing the day I was born just because I'm a woman.

I picked up that tea through a DM, by the way. It’s called Fenchel-Anis-Kümmel tea. I drink it the day before and then all day during my period. It really helps soothe the cramps. It’s super affordable too, so definitely worth a shot... maybe around $2 or $3 at most.