



There are This article was co-authored by Lacy Windham, MD . Dr. Windham is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She completed her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she received the Most Outstanding Resident award.There are 27 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

In this Article:Article SummarySeeking Medicinal HelpUsing Alternative Therapies and Natural RemediesUsing Diet and NutritionDoing Physical ActivityCommunity Q&A27 References

Menstrual cramping is a very common problem experienced by 50-90% of reproductive-aged women. Pain during menstruation results from muscle cramping in the wall of the uterus. Strong, lengthy contractions of the muscles in the uterus lead to cramping of the muscle. Cramping usually begins 1-2 days before the onset of bleeding, and then diminishes 1-2 days after the onset of bleeding. It's generally a lower abdominal or pelvic pain that is sharp, intermittent, and varies in intensity, but it can sometimes be a continuous, dull ache. The pain can also radiate into the back, thighs, and upper abdomen.[1][2]If you have moderate to severe cramps, you can reduce your menstrual cramps using proven medical options, alternative medical therapies, natural remedies, diet, and physical activity.