Home Symptoms Menstrual pain

Menstrual pain — what to take?

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) affects 50-80% of women of reproductive age. It can be primary (with no underlying pathological cause) or secondary (endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis).

Also known as: dysmenorrhea menstrual cramps period pain
6 recommended OTC drugs
8,260 pharmacies available

In short: menstrual pain usually improves with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. On HartaFarmacii there are 6 commonly used options: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Drotaverina, Paracetamol, Magneziu, Acid mefenamic. For each one you can compare the price across the Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet chains and see which of the 8,260 pharmacies near you has it in stock, with prices updated daily. OTC treatment is suitable for mild, short-lived forms. See a doctor if signs such as severe pain that prevents daily activities; pain that progressively increases over the years appear. This information is for general guidance only, is not medical advice and does not replace a specialist consultation — for a diagnosis, or if symptoms persist or worsen, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for menstrual pain

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Severe pain that prevents daily activities
  • Pain that progressively increases over the years
  • Pain outside of menstruation
  • Very heavy bleeding (>80 ml)
  • Associated infertility
  • Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)

Primary dysmenorrhea

It occurs because of uterine prostaglandins that trigger strong contractions. Onset is 6-12 months after menarche, it lasts 2-3 days, and it improves with age and after childbirth.

OTC treatment

NSAIDs — ibuprofen, naproxen, mefenamic acid — first line. They act directly on prostaglandins. They are taken at the onset of pain or even preventively (1 day before). Doses: ibuprofen 400 mg every 6-8h, naproxen 500 mg every 12h.

Paracetamol — a milder alternative, effective in some women.

Antispasmodic combinations — drotaverine (No-Spa), papaverine — relax the uterine muscle.

Magnesium 300-400 mg — useful preventively, starting one week before.

Vitamins B1, B6, D — evidence of improvement at the correct dosage.

Heat patch (Thermacare) — applied to the abdomen, comparably effective to ibuprofen.

Non-pharmacological measures

  • Regular aerobic exercise — reduces pain by 30-50%.
  • Warm bath, warm compress on the abdomen.
  • Yoga, breathing techniques.
  • Reduce caffeine and salt premenstrually.
  • Acupuncture — evidence of improvement.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

Pain outside the typical menstrual pattern, severe, progressive, with dyspareunia, infertility → suggests endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids. It requires ultrasound, possibly MRI, diagnostic laparoscopy.

Oral contraceptives

They significantly reduce menstrual pain — they block ovulation and thin the endometrium. An option for women who also need contraception.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for menstrual pain

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for menstrual pain

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for menstrual pain

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For menstrual pain most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for menstrual pain runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Crampe

Crampele musculare sunt contracții involuntare, dureroase. Cele mai comune — crampele nocturne de gambă. Cauze: deshidratare, dezechilibre electrolitice, efort, medicamente, circulație, sarcină.

 Symptom

Sindrom premenstrual

Sindromul premenstrual (PMS) include simptome fizice și emoționale care apar cu 1-2 săptămâni înaintea menstruației: iritabilitate, sâni dureroși, balonare, cefalee, labilitate emoțională.

 Symptom

Dureri musculare

Durerile musculare (mialgiile) pot fi localizate (efort, contuzie) sau generalizate (viroze, boli reumatologice, medicamente — statine). Majoritatea sunt benigne și se rezolvă cu repaus.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

Ibuprofen or paracetamol for periods?
Ibuprofen (or naproxen) — more effective, acts directly on prostaglandins. Paracetamol as an alternative if you cannot tolerate NSAIDs.
When do I take the ibuprofen — before the pain starts?
For maximum effectiveness — at the first sign of pain or even 12-24h before if you have a known pattern.
Severe cramps — is that normal?
Mild-to-moderate primary dysmenorrhea is common. Severe, progressive pain or pain that does not respond to NSAIDs warrants investigation (endometriosis).
Does magnesium really help?
Yes — doses of 300-400 mg/day starting 7 days before reduce the intensity of the pain in many patients.

See also

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