Menstrual Cramp Relief Tips

[karenoh.livejournal.com]

Hello you wonderful VPers!

After some great, helpful feedback from the VP community, I am quite excited about getting the Paragard IUD. All of that said, I'm trying to go ahead and stock up on some supplements and ibuprofen beforehand, in anticipation of increased bleeding and cramps.

I've read here in the VP community about the 3 x 3 x 3 ibuprofen regimen, and I've also heard mentions of Vitamin E and evening primrose oil.

I've used a supplement from a company called oona that contains ginger and cramp bark with some success, but it can get pricey over time.

Does anyone have any other supplements or other pain-managing tricks that they recommend for heavy cramping (and potentially heavy bleeding)?

I have some red raspberry leaf tea, but I never really think to take it often enough in advance of my period. Anyone have success with red raspberry leaf, and if so what regimen would you recommend?

Comments

[cenamen.livejournal.com]

I use the Excedrin Menstrual Complete. It is awesome! I have problems with cramps, especially during the first two-three days of my period. The only problem with it is it has a shit load of caffeine. So, make sure you pay attention to the dosage. Yesterday I took too many too soon, I guess, and I felt really jittery. Not pleasant. I also try to avoid drinking coffee, tea, or sodas with them. They always knock out my cramps though! :)

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I found exercising before and during my period to be helpful, if that's something you could do. I also had better luck with naproxen for my cramps.

[archangelbeth]

While written by someone who has naturally bad cramping and bleeding, http://vaginapagina.livejournal.com/16972050.html is a very comprehensive list of bleeding-time pain management tactics! Crossing fingers that something mild from there will help for you.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Now edited to include naproxen + Vicodin! (Not terribly effective for me, but it's good to be thorough about these things.)

[archangelbeth]

*beth hi-5s the resource creator*

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Naprogesic!! (I think the active ingredient is Naproxen sodium). Worked a charm when I used to get bad cramps.

[jaguarx13.livejournal.com]

Raspberry is a uterine tonic, rather than an antispasmsodic. Cramp bark tincture by itself is very effective and fairly cheap. Motherwort tincture also works very well. Dosage for both is 1 - 2 droppersful in water.

[nowgoesquickly.livejournal.com]

I'm one of the very, very lucky people who rarely gets menstrual cramps, and when I do I find that a vitamin B complex tablet works wonders. Magnesium helps, too, as it's a natural muscle relaxant. Natural Calm is a terrific water-soluble magnesium citrate powder. It doesn't taste great, but it helps a lot.