Treatment Options
Drug Therapies
Initial treatment is focused on relieving pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- help relieve pain. They can cause stomach upset, so taking them with food may help. Long-term use can increase the risk of stomach bleeding. NSAIDs include over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve). Prescription NSAIDs are also available.
Contraceptives (birth control pills and patches) -- can help relieve pain and also may be prescribed for disorders such as endometriosis.
If menstrual pain results from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Some women find that changing their diets can help reduce the severity of cramps. Mind-body techniques (such as meditation) and exercises (such as yoga and tai chi) can also help relieve pain.
Nutrition and Supplements
The following supplements may also help relieve menstrual pain:
Herbs
Herbs are generally available as standardized dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures/liquid extracts (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). Mix liquid extracts with favorite beverage. Dose for teas is 1 - 2 heaping teaspoonfuls/cup water steeped for 10 - 15 minutes (roots need to be steeped longer).
No scientific studies have been done on whether these herbs can reduce menstrual pain, but some have been used traditionally for that purpose. Some researchers think these herbs may have estrogen-like effects. Women who have a history of hormone-related cancer, who are taking hormone replacement therapy, or who have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medication should ask their doctor before taking these herbs:
Homeopathy
Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. However, a professional homeopath may recommend one or more of the following treatments for menstrual pain based on his or her knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.
Physical Medicine
The following methods may help relieve pelvic pain:
Acupuncture
The National Institutes of Health recommend acupuncture as either a supplemental or alternative treatment for menstrual pain. In a well-designed trial involving 43 women with dysmenorrheal, women treated with acupuncture showed a dramatic reduction in both pain and the need for pain medication.
Acupuncture has become a popular treatment for menstrual pain. Acupuncturists treat people with dysmenorrhea based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of energy (called qi) located in various meridians. In the case of dysmenorrhea, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the liver and spleen meridians. Moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points) is often added to enhance needling treatment, and qualified practitioners may also recommend herbal or dietary treatments.
Acupressure is also effective at reducing pain. A study of 216 female students found that acupressure and ibuprofen were significantly better than placebo at reducing pain.
Chiropractic
Some people with menstrual pain may find relief with spinal manipulation (particularly in areas that supply sensory and motor impulses to the uterus and lower back).
resourse:University of Maryland Medical Center