Written for Stock My Medicine and clinically reviewed by Hajra Dhanchora, MPharm (GPhC 2216990).
Period pain has a cause you can act on: the womb releases prostaglandins, chemicals that make it contract to shed its lining, and too much of them means cramping that reaches into the back and thighs. That's why the painkillers that block prostaglandins work best, and why timing matters more than strength. Here's what stops period pain quickly, what only soothes it, and when it's a sign of something else.
What does period pain feel like, and what causes it?
A cramping, dragging ache low in the tummy that comes and goes in waves, often spreading to the lower back and the tops of the thighs, sometimes with nausea, loose bowels or a headache. It usually starts as bleeding begins and lasts up to three days, worst on the first. The cause is the womb muscle squeezing hard enough to briefly cut off its own blood supply. Pain that's new, getting worse each cycle, or present between periods can be endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis or pelvic infection, and that needs a GP rather than a stronger painkiller. And no, painful periods aren't a sign of good fertility; that's a myth.
Is paracetamol or ibuprofen better for period pain?
Ibuprofen, for most people. It's an anti-inflammatory that blocks the prostaglandins causing the cramps, so it treats the mechanism rather than just the sensation. Paracetamol works on pain signalling and is the choice if you can't take anti-inflammatories (asthma triggered by them, a stomach ulcer, kidney problems, or pregnancy), and the two can be combined if one alone isn't enough. Aspirin works like ibuprofen but is harder on the stomach. Our pain relief range has all three.
How to stop period pain immediately
The trick is to take the first dose before the pain peaks, ideally at the first twinge or the first sign of bleeding, then keep it topped up regularly for the first day or two rather than waiting for the cramps to come back. A full dose of ibuprofen (400mg, two standard tablets) with food, repeated every six to eight hours, does more than a single tablet taken late; liquid capsules get in about 15 minutes faster. Add heat: a hot water bottle or heat patch on the lower tummy relaxes the muscle and is genuinely evidence-backed, roughly matching a painkiller on its own. Then movement: a walk or gentle stretching beats curling up, and an orgasm relieves cramps for some women. Warm baths, massage of the lower back and a TENS machine all help.
What about antispasmodics?
Hyoscine butylbromide, the medicine in Buscopan Cramps, relaxes smooth muscle and is licensed for cramping pain of the gut and urinary tract. Some women find it helps period cramps alongside ibuprofen, but the evidence is thinner than for anti-inflammatories, so treat it as an add-on rather than a first choice, and ask a pharmacist.
How to avoid period pain next month
Start the painkiller the day before your period is due if your cycle is predictable. Regular exercise through the month reduces cramp severity, and cutting caffeine and alcohol in the days before helps some. If pain is a problem most months, hormonal contraception thins the womb lining and reduces prostaglandins, and a GP can prescribe stronger anti-inflammatories such as naproxen or mefenamic acid.
When period pain needs a GP
See a GP if painkillers and heat aren't controlling it, if periods have become heavier, more painful or irregular, if you have pain during sex or when using the toilet, if you bleed between periods or after sex, or if pain stops you working or going out. Get urgent help for severe pain with a high temperature, unusual discharge, or pain that could be pregnancy-related. If migraines come with your period, our guide to getting rid of a migraine covers the timing trick that works for those too. Our pharmacist can advise on what's safe alongside other medicines.
A dosing plan for the first two days
If your cycle is predictable: the day before your period is due, take a full dose of ibuprofen (400mg) with food in the evening. Day 1: 400mg with breakfast, again mid-afternoon, again with dinner, so the level never drops; add 1g of paracetamol between doses if the pain breaks through. Day 2: the same, then stop when the cramps ease, usually by day two or three. Don't exceed 1,200mg of ibuprofen a day without advice, and don't take it on an empty stomach. If you can't take ibuprofen, run the same schedule with paracetamol at 1g every four to six hours, maximum four doses a day.
Period pain remedies without medicine, ranked by evidence
Heat on the lower abdomen: good evidence, comparable to ibuprofen in trials. Exercise through the month and gentle movement on the day: good evidence for reducing severity. TENS machines: moderate evidence and no side effects. Massage of the lower back and abdomen: helpful for many, small trials. Ginger (capsules or tea) and magnesium: small studies suggest a benefit; worth a try if painkillers are limited. Cutting caffeine, alcohol and salt in the days before: reduces bloating and may reduce cramps. Herbal remedies such as agnus castus and evening primrose: weak evidence. Curling up in bed is the one thing that reliably makes it feel worse.
Endometriosis, fibroids and when it's not "just" period pain
Normal period pain starts with the bleed and fades in one to three days. Pain that starts days before, continues after, occurs during sex or when opening the bowels, or comes with very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, or difficulty getting pregnant, points to endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids. These are common (endometriosis affects around one in ten women) and often diagnosed years late because the pain is written off as normal. Keep a diary for two or three cycles and take it to the GP; it's the single most useful thing you can do.
Period pain in teenagers
Painful periods are common in the first few years after periods start and usually settle as cycles regulate. Ibuprofen is suitable from age 12 at the pack dose, taken with food, and paracetamol from any age at the weight-based dose; a heat patch under school uniform is discreet and effective. A teenager missing school every month, or whose pain isn't controlled by regular painkillers, should see a GP; the combined pill or another hormonal option is often used and safe at this age.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take ibuprofen and paracetamol together for period pain?
Yes, if each is suitable for you. Take a full dose of ibuprofen first; add paracetamol if it isn't enough. Don't combine ibuprofen with aspirin or naproxen.
How long does period pain last?
Usually one to three days, worst on the first day of bleeding. Pain lasting the whole period, or starting days before it, is worth mentioning to a GP.
Does the pill help period pain?
Often, yes. Combined and progestogen-only methods both reduce cramps for many women, and a GP or sexual health clinic can talk through the options.
Should I take painkillers before the pain starts?
Yes, if you can predict it. Anti-inflammatories work best when they're in your system before prostaglandin levels peak, which is the start of bleeding.