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Menstrual Cramps

Home Treatment

Try the following home treatment to help relieve your menstrual cramps:

Use heat, such as hot water bottles, heating pads, or hot baths, to relax tense muscles and relieve cramping. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Drink herbal teas, such as chamomile, mint, raspberry, and blackberry, which may help soothe tense muscles and anxious moods.
Exercise. Regular workouts decrease the severity of cramps. For more information, see the topic Reference Fitness.
Empty your bladder as soon as you have the urge to urinate.

For more information on managing menstrual cramps, see:

Reference

Reference Menstrual Cycle: Dealing With Cramps.

**Medicine you can buy without a prescription**
Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Reference Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Reference Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Reference Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin

**Safety tips**
Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:
Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an Reference allergic reaction Opens New Window to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Reference Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 Opens New Window unless your doctor tells you to.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Reference Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:

You become pregnant.
Pain is getting worse.
Menstrual cramps are lasting longer than your period.
Other symptoms develop, such as fever.
Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference June 20, 2011
Medical Review:	Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Reference David Messenger, MD

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

HealthWise KnowledgeBase

Menstrual Cramps

Home Treatment

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

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