Tips from Marla Ahlgrimm – Easing the Discomfort of Menstrual Cramping

In the days prior to starting a monthly period, women often experience painful menstrual cramps that put a damper on their regular routine, reports women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm. These cramps may cause moderate to severe pain in the thighs, back and lower belly. Some women, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, may experience fainting, dizziness, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and headaches.

Most women are stricken with menstrual cramps at some point in their lives, though cramping generally goes away in a woman’s mid-20s when her hormone levels stabilize. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that women in their 30s and 40s may also have cramps. On certain occasions, menstrual cramps are associated with another health issue such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis. To treat these cramps requires the treatment of the underlying health issue.

Home treatment and over-the-counter medication may be the most viable solutions for alleviating these cramps, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Below are a few suggestions gleaned from her years of experience in pharmaceuticals and the field of women’s health.

• Take anti-inflammatory medications to ease some of the pain. Aleve® (naproxen) and Advil® (ibuprofen) are the two most common answers. Aspirin may prove effective in particular cases as well.
• Women are better positioned when they start using the recommended dosage a day before or right at the moment that cramps appear.
• For best results, keep using the medication until the cramps have subsided.
• When Aleve and Advil fail to do the job, Tylenol® (acetaminophen) may be beneficial.
• Proper diet and exercise are a major consideration for women of all ages. By incorporating physical activity and the use of nutritional supplements high in magnesium into a daily routine, cramping can be greatly reduced.

Above all else, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends that women talk with their primary physician in order to find the best possible treatment for menstrual cramps. If menstrual cramps are related to another issue, other solutions may be necessary. Following a doctor’s orders is always advisable regardless of the circumstances, cautions Ahlgrimm.