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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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Period pain can be caused by a build-up of substances called prostaglandins, which are produced by the uterus (womb), leading to cramping pain in your lower abdomen and stomach. Pain can occur just before menstrual bleeding, but usually goes away within two days of your period starting. Period pain is also called dysmenorrhoea.
If the period pain lasts longer than a few days, or pain occurs for the first time in women in their 30s and 40s, it could have a more serious cause and you should see a doctor.
Women are usually affected by period pain in their late teens and early 20s. The severity of period pain depends on the age when your periods first started, if your periods are prolonged, if your bleeding is heavy and if you smoke.
Symptoms associated with period pain include:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
constipation
backache
tiredness
headaches
fainting
bloating
leg pain
breast tenderness or pain
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if pain continues beyond the first two days of your period, or gets worse after starting
if your pain is severe or is getting worse with each period
if you have dull, spreading pain rather than cramping
if pharmacy medicines no longer control your pain
if your menstrual bleeding has become heavier
if you have a fever and feel tired
if you have abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding
if you have pain at other times, such as before or after your period, or pain with a late period
if you use an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception
if you take any other medicines or have any other medical conditions
if you are dehydrated through playing sport or have diarrhoea
if you have allergies to any medicines
if you have vaginal bleeding and are post-menopausal
Treatment Tips
place a hot water bottle over clothing on your abdomen to relieve pain
some medicines are more effective because they treat the cause of period pain (see Treatment Options below or ask your pharmacist for advice)
some period pain medicines are not suitable for everyone; check with your pharmacist
Treatment Options
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
[GENERAL SALE] e.g. ibuprofen (packets of 24 or fewer) (Nurofen, Advil, Tri-Profen)
NSAIDs stop your body from making prostaglandins, which cause period pain
some NSAIDs may work better for you, so try different types over two to three cycles to find the best one
take NSAIDs when you first notice period pain and continue taking them until pain disappears, or for about two days
if you usually experience pain, start NSAIDs just before your period is due
all NSAIDS are recommended to be taken with food
aspirin and NSAIDs are not suitable for everyone. Children under 12 years old must not take aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition. It should also be avoided by adolescents under 16 years old who have a viral illness, e.g. chicken pox or influenza
check with your pharmacist before taking aspirin or NSAIDs if you:
have a history of stomach problems, such as ulcers or indigestion
have asthma (some people with asthma find their condition is made worse by these types of medicines)
have kidney problems or a heart condition
have bleeding or bruising problems
take other medications
have an allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs
are breastfeeding
are dehydrated
are due to have any type of surgery within the next couple of days
sometimes aspirin and NSAIDs can cause side effects. If you develop indigestion, shortness of breath or unusual or increased bleeding or bruising, stop taking them and talk to your pharmacist
Other pain relievers (analgesics)
[GENERAL SALE] e.g. paracetamol tablets or capsules (packets of 24 or fewer) (Panadol, Panadol Rapid)
paracetamol is a good option if you cannot take NSAIDs or if you experience stomach upset with period pain
some women may get relief from paracetamol, however, it does not treat the cause of the pain (as NSAIDs do)
paracetamol is a safe choice for most people but it is important not to take more than recommended
paracetamol is an ingredient in many cold and flu remedies so be careful not to double dose. The maximum daily dose for an adult is 4 g (4000 mg), and no more than 1 g (1000 mg) every four hours
these products contain two or more ingredients that relieve pain in different ways
codeine reduces your perception of pain by blocking pain signals from nerves in your body
try single-ingredient products first; if these do not give adequate pain relief, then try a combination product
see the warnings above relating to individual ingredients
products containing codeine may cause constipation
doxylamine (contained in Mersyndol) is sedating, so do not drive or operate machinery while taking it. It may be helpful if the pain is particularly severe, but it is not suitable for people with certain medical conditions, so talk to your pharmacist first
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
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