Meds for Menstrual Cramps

Naproxen is like ibuprofen (Advil) - it's an anti-innflamatory. Your cramps come from your uterus contracting and relaxing - an anti-inflammatory will help more than acetometephin.

Midol contains acetometephin (for pain), caffiene (for fatigue), and a diuretic. Midol doesn't have special pain medicine that targets cramps, specifically.

Naproxen and Advil are my two favorite choices for cramps!

I always take 2 Aleve (naproxen) at a time (make sure to eat and do not take tylenol at the same time...they can interact.) It almost always helps and I have horrible cramps along w/ lots of other girly problems. I was just at doc yesterday for a check up and she said that Flexaril (a muscle relaxer I take once in awhile for my arthritis in my back among the other pains I have from multiple broken bones and surgeries) Anyway, she said that the Flexaril might also help...if your cramps ever get bad enough, might be something to consider...but in answer to your question, yes, the naproxen should help!

I've been taking it for a bad toothache and took it for a sprained ankle last summer. So I would think it would also help cramps! (The label says start w/ one, but I always start with 2. It usually kicks in pretty fast.)

I never have luck with Naproxen. If you can find some advil, that might work better.

Is there an area where you can stretch a bit....sometimes that will help. Or laying flat on your back and do a few abdominal crunches....

It should help but part of the cause of cramps is fluid retention. Naproxen is bad for fluid retention. I took it many years ago while it was still a prescription drug and found that my body could not handle it. I would retain enough fluid to gain 5-10 lbs just from the Naproxen. Midol helps partly because it also cantains a diuretic and helps get rid of the excess fluid.

Naproxen sodium is similar to Anaprox which is a prescription often given for menstrual cramps. So, yes it should help with your cramps, take it with food.