How much advil can i take for period cramps

Period cramps are annoying, aggravating and at times, downright terrible - and they may be a regular part of the menstrual cycle for more than half of women who have periods.

When you're having menstrual cramps (also referred to as dysmenorrhea), you can have pain in your belly, hips, lower back, and even your inner thighs. The pain in your belly may also be accompanied by pressure, and in severe cases, loose stools, upset stomach, and vomiting.

Even though your menstrual cramps may be normal, it doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to relieve the pain. Here are a few things you can do (besides eating chocolate).

Apply heat

Do you need relief from your period cramps right away? Lying down with a heating pad is one of the best ways to relieve menstrual cramps. In fact, keeping heat applied to the area of your belly where the pain is the worst can be just as effective as using a pain killer like ibuprofen.

But since you can't stay connected to a heating pad all day, try taking a warm bath, using a hot water bottle, or applying a heat patch instead. The key is to keep the heat as continuous as possible.

Over-the-counter medication for period cramps

Many of the same over-the-counter pain relievers you use for headaches can also help relieve menstrual cramping pain. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen (Aleve), and even acetaminophen (Tylenol). You should start taking a pain reliever when you begin feeling symptoms of period cramps and continue taking the medicine for two or three days, or until your symptoms are gone. For severe menstrual cramps, your doctor may recommend a prescription anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Exercise or have sex

Need a reason to work out during your period? The endorphins produced while exercising or having sex can help relieve your menstrual cramps. Any type of exercise, whether it be aerobic or simply stretching has been found to lessen the pain of your cramping.

Birth control for period cramps

When you have period cramps you just can't seem to relieve with the methods mentioned above, your doctor may prescribe birth control, which provides your body with hormones that may reduce your menstrual cramping. Talk to your doctor about your birth control options. They include birth control pills, injections, a patch, or an intrauterine device. Such a wide array of birth control options are available that there should be something that will work for your lifestyle and individual needs. Just make sure to let your doctor know you’re hoping to find a birth control option that will provide relief from your menstrual cramping.

Alternative medicines

Some women have found success with alternative medicines. Some of these include:

  • Supplements like magnesium, fish oil, and vitamin B1
  • Acupuncture
  • Herbal teas like red raspberry leaf, fennel, pycnogenol, cramp bark, or tea with peppermint oil

Things to avoid

While many things can help reduce pain from menstrual cramps, there are also a few things you should try to avoid. These include stress, alcohol, and caffeine, all of which can make your menstrual cramping worse. Limit these things as much as possible during your period.

Do you need to see a doctor?

If your menstrual cramps are unusual or severe, or if they last more than a few days, you may want to see your doctor. Painful period cramping is treatable, so anytime you're worried about your symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor.

Your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to make sure everything is normal. They may also ask you questions about your menstrual period history, suggest lifestyle modifications, or even recommend and prescribe medicines that may help relieve your painful periods.

Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex

For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than ordered by your doctor. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects, especially in elderly patients .

When used for severe or continuing arthritis, this medicine must be taken regularly as ordered by your doctor in order for it to help you. This medicine usually begins to work within one week, but in severe cases up to two weeks or even longer may pass before you begin to feel better. Also, several weeks may pass before you feel the full effects of this medicine .

To lessen stomach upset, you may take this medicine with food or milk .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets and suspension):
    • For fever:
      • Children over 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children 6 months of age up to 2 years—Dose is based on body weight and body temperature, and must be determined by your doctor. For fever lower than 102.5 °F (39.2 °C), the dose usually is 5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (about 2.2 mg per pound) of body weight. For higher fever, the dose usually is 10 mg per kg (about 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight. The medicine may be given every six to eight hours, as needed, up to 40 mg per kg per day.
      • Infants younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For menstrual cramps:
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) every four hours, as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For mild to moderate pain:
      • Adults and teenagers—400 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours, as needed.
      • Children over 6 months of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose usually is 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every six to eight hours, as needed, up to 40 mg per kg per day.
      • Infants younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:
      • Adults and teenagers—1200 milligrams (mg) up to 3200 mg per day divided into three or four equal doses.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose usually is 30 milligrams (mg) to 40 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into three or four doses.
      • Infants younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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Portions of this document last updated: Nov. 01, 2022

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How much Advil should I take for severe menstrual cramps?

1 tablet/caplet/gel caplet every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms persist. If pain or fever does not respond to 1 tablet/caplet/gel caplet, 2 may be used. Do not exceed 6 tablets/caplets/gel caplets in 24 hours unless directed by a doctor.

Is it OK to take Advil for period cramps?

To ease your menstrual cramps, your health care provider might recommend: Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin can help control the pain of cramps.

How many Advils should I take during my period?

“Results are unique to each woman, but I'd say, on average, a woman may experience 30 percent less bleeding if she takes 800 mg of ibuprofen (four over-the-counter pills) three times a day, ideally starting right before or when her period starts,” says Northwestern Medicine OB/GYN Heather Beall, MD.

Can I take 4 Advil for cramps?

You shouldn't take more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in a 24-hour period. If you have menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, or RA pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe ibuprofen for you at a higher dose. Prescription tablets are usually stronger compared to the OTC dose, such as 600 mg and 800 mg.