Does menfenamic acid actually do anything for periods? Anyone have any experience?

[PumpkinPie99]

I've been prescribed menfenamic acid for period pain and heavy flow.
I've to take it 2 x3 a day in the few days before I'm due and while I'm on my period.
Does anyone have any experience with this medication as my periods are really painful, heavy, give me diarrhoea and make me vomit :(

Yep worked for me for years until it just didnt work anymore.

However for the last decade i now solely take Co Codamol instead. Soluble ones if i need the quickest relief, otherwise i take the tablets every 4 hours on my first 2 days when pain is at its worst (never more than 3 doses a day though)
Nothing seems to beat co codamol for me.

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Graph, I do not have a diagnosis nor have I had any investigations. My GP's are fairly crap tbh. They have just put it down to primary dysmenorrhea.
I am 19 and I think they've always been pretty heavy but have worsened in the last couple of years.
The pain didn't used to be that bad, I think it got a lot worse when I was about 15. I was constantly dreading my periods because I knew I was going to be doubled over in agony.
I also do not yet have any DC.

Didn't work for me but tranexamic was really a life saver

Then I would urge you to push for a gynae referral, maybe even consider changing GP surgery or if you (or parents) can afford go private.

This is NOT normal and it is NOT acceptable for them merely to treat the symptoms.

I had that shit for 14 years prior to endometriosis being diagnosed (not saying that's what you have it could have several causes - have they seriously not even checked for infection?!)

In that 14 years I had many GP appointments where I was fobbed off with minimally successful treatments for the symptoms inc mefenamic acid which did sod all. I also had a&e admissions due to fainting the pain was so bad, 2 miscarriages and a twisted ovary before I got my DX.

Absolutely not saying any of that could happen to you, but I really do think you should see a specialist.

Perhaps a visit to your local sexual Health clinic might be an idea, they can at least check if an infection is the cause or possibly exacerbating symptoms?

I really don't mean to alarm but I would never want anyone going through even some of what I did and know all too well how crap GP's are at listening to women patients.

It didn't help me at all! I was still in so much pain and my periods were still so heavy!

I then went through three types of the pill to find one that suited me but I've been happy with that for 11 years, but obviously that doesn't suit everyone.

Helped me a lot for pain. Used to take 4 per day, usual dose is 3 but doc said 4 ok for 2 days which got me over the worst of it, hope it helps you

I found it very good.

I also benefitted from the mini pill, and then no longer needed the painkiller because periods became lighter and “a bit uncomfortable” rather than “agonising”. Maybe try that next.