Silly question about period pads

[Ptarm]

My period is due, I’m travelling somewhere tonight so have put a pad on just in case.

Since putting it on I have awful cramps, having not had them literally up to the minute I put it on.

So is this just divine timing (and I suppose time will confirm this), or has the pad somehow caused the cramps? I know it’s silly, but a friend swears she can’t wear disposable pads as they make her cramps much worse, so I thought I’d ask!

This sounds so unlikely, but I no longer get cramps now I use a moon cup, always needed ibuprofen at least 1 day a month when I used tampons and towels. Is it in our heads? Maybe. I can't think of a physical reason.

I can recommend trying period pants. Again I can't see how a towel could cause cramps (a tampon perhaps more so) but if using something different works and means less pain for you then go for it!

I’ve never been able to use tampons because of horrific cramps, same with mooncups, sadly - although I think there are some softer types that might be worth trying.

You’ve reminded me that I do own a pair of period pants - I’ll pack them! Thank
you.

I read somewhere that there can be substances in pads that can make cramps worse, I don't know if that's actually backed by anything reputable though. However anecdotally, the amount of women I've spoken to who have said that their cramps lessened or were almost non-existent when they switched to a moon cup or period pants is genuinely surprising.

Personally mine were much more manageable after I swapped to a moon cup, and they were a day shorter; although there's some talk about moon cups holding your (already softened) cervix open slightly which shortens the cycle (apparently).