Best Over-the-Counter Medications to Treat Menstrual Cramps

Pain and cramps are pretty common at the time of your period. With more than 50 percent of women complaining about pain during the first two days of the cycle, menstrual cramps are a real problem – one that’s often overlooked or underestimated.

If you dread the way you feel right before or during your period, there are a few ways to treat menstrual cramps at home. Apart from using a heating pad and mild exercise, over-the-counter drugs can come in handy to manage your pain.

If you’re wondering which drugs would work best for you, let’s take a quick look at them.

Naproxen (Aleve) –

Naproxen (Aleve) is yet another NSAID that helps in treating cramps. It works like ibuprofen by working on the actual cause of the pain.

If you intend on taking this medication, you should ideally consume one tablet (220 mg) orally in a day or according to your needs. Although, you mustn’t take any more than three tablets (660 mg) of naproxen in a day because it may cause side effects. 

 

 

 

 

 Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) –

As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can be extremely useful in relieving pain symptoms associated with menstrual cramps. NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the factors responsible for menstrual cramps.  

Taking one or two pills (200-400 mg) orally could help manage your pain. If you’re about to have your period, you can stock up on some ibuprofen from your local medication store in Paris Ontario,to deal with it effectively. However, remember to avoid taking a dose over 1,200 mg per day because it can lead to serious side effects.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) –

Though it isn’t an NSAID, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an effective pain reliever because it works by blocking the brain chemicals that cause pain. According to research, NSAIDs work better as compared to acetaminophen in case of menstrual cramps. However, many people prefer using this drug to manage their pain symptoms.

Typically, taking two tablets (650 mg) of acetaminophen orally can be helpful. In general, you shouldn’t be taking a dose of more than 4,000 mg a day. The dosage is restricted to 3,000 mg per day for some groups of people. It is best to check with your healthcare provider before determining the correct dosage because a higher dose could leave you suspectable of liver damage.

What Should You Do When OTC Medications Don’t Work?

If OTC medications are not helping you deal with menstrual cramps, you might need a prescription drug. When you consult a licensed healthcare professional, they can assess your pain symptoms and recommend a medication that may work for you. You can seek prescription delivery Paris to have the medicines dropped off at your home.

Wrapping Up

Menstrual cramps can be annoying and sometimes excruciatingly painful. Fortunately, OTC medications can come to your rescue. However, it may not work for everybody.

In that case, overmedicating or taking a higher dose of your OTC drug wouldn’t be the safest choice. The best option would be to seek a professional who can look at better alternatives to target your pain symptoms the right way.