Period Pains and Painkillers

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By, Lauren Kolacki

Once a month women experience their hormone levels drop and the thickened lining of their uterus shedding from their body. This is accompanied by mood swings, chocolate cravings and intense pressure in their abdomen. Life must go on, despite your lack of ambition, so it is easiest to pop a couple of Advil and proceed with your day.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly referred to as NSAIDs are the over-the-counter drugs such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, etc. that we take regularly to reduce our aches and pains. They are available at your local pharmacy so at first glance they do not have any extreme detrimental effects, however, that is not entirely true. There are several risks of overusing these medicines that you should be aware of.

  • Heart attack and stroke— increased risk for heart attack and other heart problems by one third/ had a 19% higher risk of being hospitalized for heart failure compared to those who had used the drugs in the past.
  • Interaction with antidepressants— make antidepressants less effective
  • Liver damage
  • Ulcers Alternatives:
  • Hot Compresses— placing something warm on the pelvic area
  • Focusing on your diet—increase your intake of vitamins like B1
  • Exercise— being active helps with pain