How many of us have been buying the wrong pain relief for period pain?

Pain is a common side effect of menstruation.

For many of us, painful periods have simply been accepted as part of life and we carry on as best we can, often whilst dealing with symptoms which can range from mildly uncomfortable to completely debilitating.

The following research caught my attention this week, as it highlighted (again) another gap in information around women’s health, and the findings present something (again) we should have been aware of from a very young age.

Researchers led by Dr Victoria Sivill from the University of Bristol, alongside colleagues from The Alan Turing Institute, analysed more than 211 million shopping transactions from 3.4 million customers over a 10-year period.

They found that more than a quarter of shoppers buying menstrual products also bought pain relief at the same time. Interestingly, paracetamol was the most commonly purchased painkiller alongside menstrual products, despite evidence suggesting that ibuprofen may be the more effective option for many women experiencing period pain.

I didn’t know this, and many women have probably spent years buying paracetamol for period pain, without ever being given an explanation of why it may or may not be particularly effective. Out of habit, we tend to buy what we've always bought, particularly when it comes to things like pain relief, and unless somebody explains the science behind it, there is rarely any reason to question it.

What the science says is that Ibuprofen may work better for period pain.

The evidence comparing pain relief options isn't new, but it’s only this week that I have found it mentioned in the types of media that the general public are likely to read/consume.

In 2015, researchers Jane Marjoribanks, Rukayat Ayeleke, Cindy Farquhar and Michelle Proctor reviewed 80 studies involving more than 5,800 women with primary dysmenorrhoea (period pain) and found that Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen were generally more effective than paracetamol for relieving menstrual pain.

This makes sense when you think about what is happening when we have a period. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus produces chemicals called prostaglandins. These prostaglandins help the uterus contract so it can shed its lining. The higher the levels of prostaglandins, the stronger the contractions and, for many women this means more pain.

NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen work by reducing the production of prostaglandins, meaning they actually act on one of the processes contributing to the cramps in the first place.

Paracetamol works differently. It can help reduce pain, but it doesn't affect prostaglandin production in the same way. So that is why many women find ibuprofen provides better relief.

Of course, as with all things health-related, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Ibuprofen isn't suitable for everyone and some women have medical reasons why NSAIDs aren't recommended. Any medication should be taken according to the advice of your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional.

It's also worth remembering that whilst some discomfort during menstruation is common, severe period pain isn't something you simply have to tolerate or consider normal. If your periods are affecting your ability to work, study, sleep, exercise or enjoy everyday life, it's worth speaking to your GP.

Conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids can all contribute to significant pain, please book yourself a GP appointment if you have any concerns.

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I am not a medical professional, this does not constitute as medical advice and please always seek advice from you GP or healthcare professional for all matters discussed in this article, or otherwise.