Excerpted from "A Year of Health Hints"
365 Practical Ways to Feel Better and Live Longer
Menstrual cramps may be accompanied by backache, fatigue,
vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Sometimes, distress is severe
enough to leave women debilitated for the first one to three days
of their periods.
To relieve menstrual cramps:
Drink chamomile
or mint tea.
Whenever possible,
lie on your back. supporting your knees with a pillow.
Hold a heating pad
or hot-water bottle on your abdomen.
Gently massage
your abdomen.
Do mild exercises
like stretching, walking, or biking.
Take aspirin,
ibuprofen, or other over-the-counter medication formulated for
relief of menstrual
discomfort.
If these measures don't alleviate pain--or a heavy schedule
prevents you from crawling into bed with a hot-water bottle for
three days a month--see your doctor. He or she may prescribe
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or other medication to
help menstrual pain.