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Painful periods - pain relief recommendations please

10 replies

Lottie4 · 02/06/2023 08:27

Can anyone recommend some over the counter pain relief for painful periods. DD currently takes paracetamol and ibuprofen, but just wondering if there's anything else better/or kicks in sooner.

OP posts:
Bexx87 · 02/06/2023 08:29

Honestly, the only thing I've found that completely takes my pain away is prescription strength cocodamol. But it might be too strong and not recommended if she's a child. Maybe you could try the over the counter cocodamol which is a lower dose.

Bexx87 · 02/06/2023 08:30

And that can be taken with ibuprofen.

FrizzySweatyAndFrazzled · 02/06/2023 08:32

Buscopan is great for period pain. It also kicks in within about 15 minutes so is good for speedy relief.

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BlameItOnTheGoose · 02/06/2023 08:35

Liquid/gel tablets act much quicker than the solid ones.

And I believe you can rotate between doses paracetamol and ibuprofen so that you take, say, one paracetamol then 2 hours later an ibuprofen, then 2 hours later a paracetamol, etc. But obviously subject to the daily max dosages for you DD.

Also: the usual warm baths, hot water bottle, etc.

CrunchyCarrot · 02/06/2023 08:42

After a lifetime of period pain I finally came across raspberry leaf tea - I bought the tea leaves and steeped them, sip as required. I found that gave me quite good relief and I wish I'd know about it years earlier! To be clear it's not tea bags (which are likely weaker) but dried leaves so you make the tea yourself.

https://www.baldwins.co.uk/baldwins-organic-raspberry-leaves-rubus-idaeus?queryID=1ea9caf9514340fbdc0fa762b3a91395&objectID=12929&indexName=baldwinsdefault_products

PuppyMonkey · 02/06/2023 08:44

Both DDs got prescription stuff from the doctor - can’t remember what it’s called but it’s definitely worth trying to get some.

cherrypied · 02/06/2023 08:46

Second buscopan IBS. You can get it off the shelf in supermarkets.

I got bad stomach with period pains and this stoped the period pain too.

Dilbertian · 02/06/2023 08:52

Dd takes Syndol on her worst day. She doesn't like taking it because it makes her groggy. There are several versions. The one that is effective (ie not just overpriced paracetamol with codeine) is in the dark blue packet and contains Doxylamine Succinate.

Half a Kwells travel sickness tablet (Hyoscine Hydrobromide) taken with Solpadeine (or generic version) is also very effective, without the drowsiness. There used to be a period medication called Feminax, with exactly that formulation.

Buscopan is another helpful medication, especially if her period makes her nauseous or affects her bowels.

HappilyContentTheseDays · 02/06/2023 08:53

It depends upon the reason for the period pain, I know from childhood experience of years and years of period pain.

If a hot water bottle and ibuprofen/paracetamol mix doesn't touch it, it may need some investigation by doctors.

Buscopan is useful for some as it helps the digestive system and bladder relax BUT it's only useful if tenseness is the cause of the pain.

My own problems stemmed from an imbalance of prostaglandins compared with other hormones....prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract - levels are very high during labour, for obvious reasons, but can also happen during a period. In my case it was so bad I had a 'mini labour' type experience every time my uterus shed period blood.

Ibuprofen can help but maybe not strong enough. Some studies have shown good Vitamin D levels help break down the prostaglandins, as does an anti inflammatory diet.

If nothing helps, the doctor may prescribe prostaglandin inhibitors, such as mefenamic acid (ponstan forte). These were very hefty tablets but were the only thing which worked for me. They may not be prescribed for a young child however, it depends on age.

Don't be fobbed off by doctors as I was for years...I once had a woman doctor tell me "we all have to suffer period pains, we're women". It was shocking. I was missing school every month and later on, a couple days at work every month. It was actually a male doctor who took me seriously and did some tests, the tablets I took gave me a normal life back.
After I had my children, I opted for a hysterectomy as the periods were still very bad even though I was much older. Best operation I ever had.....

MissMogwai · 02/06/2023 08:58

I have mefenamic acid from the GP for severe period pains, it also helps with heavy periods.

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