1. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow
2. Disease Prevention in Women Slideshow Pictures
3. Happiness Quiz: Test Your Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ)

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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• If a woman with menstrual cramps is not already taking an anti-inflammatory medicine, the health care professional may advise her to take one of the over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug.
• Starting some form of hormonal birth control is another option to relieve or stop menstrual cramps. This can take the form of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), an injection, a transdermal patch, or a hormone-releasing intrauterine device. All these methods stop or reduce ovulation and the mid-cycle pain that may occur with it. There are a number of different types of hormonal birth control methods available, and no studies have been done to show that one preparation or form of hormonal contraception is superior in reducing menstrual cramps. Oral contraceptive pills are a common choice for women who suffer from significant menstrual discomfort and who do not wish to become pregnant.

In many cases, a combination of NSAIDs and hormonal contraceptive methods such as oral contraceptive pills may be needed to relieve menstrual cramps and pain. Prescription medications (mefenamic acid [Ponstel] or meclofenamate [Meclomen]) may be prescribed.

Must Read Articles Related to Menstrual Pain

Chronic Pain Chronic pain is pain that persists for a period of six months or longer, and is the result of a long-standing medical condition(s) or damage to the body. Common...learn more >>

Endometriosis Endometriosis is a common disorder of the female reproductive organs and is the leading cause of chronic pelvic pain in women. Examples of causes of endometrios...learn more >>

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) occurs during the first two weeks before a woman begins her menstrual cycle. Symptoms of PMS include mood and behavioral changes and...learn more >>

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