Can I take painkillers during periods?

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Nobody likes period cramps, and we all try one or other method to relieve the cramps. You must have thought about taking painkillers during periods, there are many myths associated with it, some say it will affect your uterus and some that it will cause problems in pregnancy. But all these are myths, and its totally okay to take painkillers to manage your pain. There are various different methods of pain relieving, be it getting a massage or using hot water bag. Sometimes traditional treatments for period pain, such as heat compression or certain yoga poses, are ineffective for some women.

We comprehend that dysmenorrhea, another name for period pain, might occasionally be unmanageable and that you would like to do anything to stop them, in that case popping a pill killer to manage the pain is fine. A word of warning, though: Menstrual cramp medicines can be used if you are having trouble tolerating the pain, however, using too many painkillers and their chronic use may cause damage to the kidneys and have certain negative side effects.

There are several adverse effects associated with using medicines, especially over time. Reaching out to a gynaecologist is advised if you have severe menstrual cramps and want to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of using these medicines. Additionally, your doctor will advise you on the ideal painkiller dose for you.

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These are some examples of the adverse consequences of painkillers:

• Acid reflux
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach

In addition to these typical adverse effects, excessive use of painkillers might result in stomach or small intestine ulcers. Also if you have any drug allergy or health issue, it is advised to take any medicine after consulting a doctor. Also remember that if your cramps are not relieved by taking painkillers and it has started interfering your daily life, there might be chances of some underlying health issues. Visit a doctor and find the root cause of your cramps in this case.