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Old Jan 05, 2015, 07:06 PM
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doggiedo doggiedo is offline
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What is your experience with midol vs other types of pain relievers for premenstraul cramps? I looked at the medicine label label and te only difference is the caffeine.

Also, I was told by a health class insteuctor (back in the 90s when I was in high school) that it's better to take aspirin a few days before your period starts bc once it starts, it's easentially too late to stop any pain.

Thoughts??

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  #2  
Old Jan 05, 2015, 09:11 PM
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jelly-bean jelly-bean is offline
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Midol always worked pretty well for me. I never had much of a problem with cramps though. Maybe some others will answer you better.
Thanks for this!
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  #3  
Old Jan 05, 2015, 10:10 PM
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Midol never worked for me; the caffeine is a mild diuretic to reduce bloating.

I found Naprosyn (naproxen) more effective for menstrual pain.
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  #4  
Old Jan 06, 2015, 09:48 AM
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tealBumblebee tealBumblebee is offline
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The two times I bought a bottle of Midol, it did wonders.

But most recently i've had Naprosyn (for a different reason) and took it for cramps - perfection.It's really just like a higher dosed aleve I believe but it definitely works.

If you're into natural stuff, I like Naturelief (can get from drug store). It's based on pineapple enzymes and tastes good. I do think it makes my flow heavier though (sorry if tmi).

I've heard drinking water, wearing socks, no caffiene, a cup of coffee (for me more helpful than no caffiene), heating pad, hot showers all work too.
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  #5  
Old Jan 06, 2015, 02:45 PM
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SeekerOfLife SeekerOfLife is offline
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I no longer get my cycles. In the past I tried aspirin, midol, ibuprofen, aleve. None helped. What helped me was lying down with a hot water bottle (or tuck it in your jeans). Also, i took 500 mg of calcium every hour until I felt better. Both worked separately. But they worked best when done together.
  #6  
Old Jan 26, 2015, 10:40 PM
Teacup381 Teacup381 is offline
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Midol never worked for me but I do have naproxen so I will try that next time since I've seen that's helped a few others here!
  #7  
Old Jan 27, 2015, 12:18 AM
SnakeCharmer SnakeCharmer is offline
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Back in the days when NSAIDs were prescription only, the gyno prescribed them for cramps. They were to be taken daily beginning at least 5 days before the period was due and on the first day until the cramps stopped. Taken that way, I didn't have cramps at all. I took the pills from 7-10 days per month.

NSAIDs inhibit the body chemical that causes the uterus to contract. The contractions are what cause the cramps.

NSAIDs are now OTC, with Alleve, Advil and Motrin being the most popular brand names. Generics are just as good -- naprosyn and ibuprophen.

If you have a sensitivity or if you take too much NSAIDs at once or take it for too many days in a row it can cause gastro-intestinal upset, sometimes severe.

Taking it the week before my period was due to start changed my life. No more severe PMS and no more writhing in agony cramps. I had very mild PMS, but nothing very bad. Taking it on the first day of the period doesn't have the same effect. It has to be taken in advance to prevent the cramps from even getting started.

Good luck.
Thanks for this!
unaluna
  #8  
Old Jan 27, 2015, 10:55 PM
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sherbet sherbet is offline
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Yes, the only difference between the Midol and other pain relievers is the caffeine and the packaging.

When I had horrible cramps I'd usually just lie down and wait for it to be over. I tried various NSAIDs/Midol sometimes and it was like using a water bottle to put out a house fire…I suppose they helped but not enough to notice.

I do wish I knew about the heating pads back in those days, I've heard good things about those. Or maybe things would have been different if someone like SnakeCharmer had explained how to take the NSAIDs properly.

My cramps went away when I started taking birth control pills. No problems since. If you're having severe cramps you can probably find a bc pill that'll fix it. No need to suffer like that in this day and age.
  #9  
Old Jan 30, 2015, 09:10 AM
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Jolisse Jolisse is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoda View Post
Midol never worked for me; the caffeine is a mild diuretic to reduce bloating.

I found Naprosyn (naproxen) more effective for menstrual pain.
I agree Naproxen works the best. Try Aleve it does wonders for cramps.
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