Period Pain Tablets
Order your period pain medications online
Request period pain relief pills in Australia through a consultation without leaving your home. Complete a health assessment and have a brief consult with our doctors. If suitable, a prescription can be written, dispensed by our pharmacy team and express delivered to your door.
Period pain (Dysmenorrhoea) can significantly impact a woman's quality of life ranging from infrequent, to every cycle. Beyond just pain, symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, bloating, and headaches.
Overview
What is period pain?
Period pain, scientifically known as dysmenorrhoea, occurs when the uterus (womb) muscles contract tightly. This is why it is referred to as a menstrual cramp because the uterus muscles contract tightly, causing pain just as any other cramping muscles.
What is the underlying cause of period pain?
Period pain can be split into two types, primary and secondary.
Primary dysmenorrhoea is when period pain occurs naturally as part of your regular menstrual cycle and is not caused by an underlying condition. It is instead the result of the natural production of prostaglandins which make up the lining of the womb. During menstrual bleeding when the lining is being shed, these prostaglandins trigger cramping of the muscles in your pelvic area, causing pain.
Some women have higher levels of prostaglandins in their lining, therefore resulting in stronger and more frequent cramping. This is why some women can experience more severe pain than others. Typically this develops soon after the first period.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea is when period pain is mostly attributed to or significantly worsened by an underlying medical condition such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fibroids and endometriosis. Typically secondary period pain is best managed by managing the underlying condition with the oversight of a doctor.
Period pain relief treatments
Period pain treatments can vary from mild non-drug based to stronger pain relievers requiring a prescription from a doctor.
Period pain tablets
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common form of treatment for managing period pain. They work by reducing the production of prostaglandins, the hormone primarily responsible for the painful cramping. As the name suggests they also help reduce inflammation and help with general pain relief (analgesia). If possible, it is recommended to start early after the pain begins or prior to the pain if directed.
NSAIDs range from over-the-counter to prescription only. Due to the potential side effects of anti-inflammatory medicines such as stomach ulcers, it is recommended that you consult a health professional prior to use, particularly if used often.
Paracetamol can also be used for its analgesic effects, particularly if NSAIDs are not suitable. NSAIDs can be taken alongside paracetamol to relieve period pain if you are suitable for both treatments.
Hormonal treatments
Some contraceptive pill treatments are used to manage period pain. These include some Combined oral contraceptive pills, progesterone only pills and long acting intrauterine devices (IUD). The hormones in these treatments can often make menstrual bleeding lighter, reducing cramping and pain.
If period pain still occurs whilst on these treatments, period pain tablets can be used with them (if suitable).
Non-medicinal period pain treatments
Heating the lower abdominals with heat packs or hot water bottles is thought to relax the muscles and reduce tension which can help reduce period pain. This is an exceedingly common non-medication treatment for muscle-related pain.
TENs machines may also help reduce period pain via electrical nerve stimulation. A study review found that TENs machines delivered meaningful reductions to pain in primary dysmenorrhoea but only when the machine was active and at high frequency (50 pulses/second).
