Is it safe to take painkillers during periods? — YES
For most women, taking painkillers for menstrual cramps is completely safe, as long as:
• You take the correct medicine
• You don’t exceed the daily dose
• You don’t have kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or bleeding disorders
Menstrual cramp pain (dysmenorrhea) is one of the most common reasons doctors prescribe painkillers.
⸻
Best & safest tablets for period pain
1. Mefenamic Acid 250 mg (Meftal-Spas or Mefenamic Acid alone)
✔ Most commonly prescribed
✔ Works very well
✔ Safe for short-term use (1–3 days per cycle)
2. Ibuprofen 400 mg
✔ Very effective
✔ Good safety profile
✔ Can be taken 2–3 times a day if needed
3. Naproxen 250–500 mg
✔ Stronger pain relief
✔ Good for severe cramps
4. Dicyclomine + Mefenamic (Combos like Meftal-Spas)
✔ Helps if cramps are spasmodic
✔ Works quickly
⸻
How often can you take them?
You can take them whenever pain occurs, but:
• Use the lowest effective dose
• Do not exceed 3 days per cycle
• Take with food to avoid acidity
• Avoid combining multiple NSAIDs (don’t mix ibuprofen + mefenamic)
This is generally safe for long-term monthly use.
Next Steps
When you should avoid painkillers
Avoid NSAIDs if you have:
• Gastric ulcer
• Kidney disease
• Aspirin allergy
• Bleeding disorders
• You are on blood thinners
Otherwise they are safe.
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When painkillers are NOT enough
If periods cause very severe pain every month, it may suggest:
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Pelvic inflammation
In such cases, a gynecologist may advise:
• Hormonal therapy
• Ultrasound pelvis
• Lifestyle adjustments
Taking medicine everytime is also not safe but sometimes you can when it's too much. If you can bear little use hot waterbag and try going on walk as it helps in eazing out flow.
You can consult me directly on Practo, or reach out via WhatsApp:
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I’ll guide you step-by-step with easy-to-follow treatment plans.
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Yes — period painkillers are generally safe when used correctly and many women take them every cycle. The key is choosing the right medicine and dose and checking for contraindications.
✅ BEST & SAFEST PAINKILLERS FOR PERIOD PAIN
1️⃣ Mefenamic Acid (Meftal Spas / Meftal Forte)
Very effective for menstrual cramps.
Dose:
250–500 mg every 8 hours as needed
Start at the beginning of pain (even better at the start of bleeding)
Avoid if:
You have gastric ulcer
Kidney disease
Taking blood thinners
2️⃣ Ibuprofen (Brufen / Advil)
Very safe and widely used for period pain.
Dose:
200–400 mg every 6–8 hours, max 3 times/day
Take after food to protect stomach
3️⃣ Naproxen (Naprosyn / Naprofast)
Longer-acting.
Dose:
250–500 mg initially, then 250 mg every 8–12 hours
4️⃣ Drotaverine (Drotin / Drotin DS)
Good for spasm-type cramps.
Dose:
40–80 mg every 8 hours
Hello, I am Dr Romain Rajan, General Physician. Your case has been allotted to me.
I understand your concern. Period pain can be severe for many women and taking the right painkiller in the correct dose is generally safe. The key is choosing the right medicine and not overusing it.
Advices
1 Apply a warm water bag on the lower abdomen as it naturally relaxes the uterus and reduces pain.
2 Stay hydrated and avoid caffeine during periods as dehydration worsens cramps.
3 Gentle walking or stretching helps reduce the intensity of pain.
What to Monitor
1 Very heavy bleeding during periods.
2 Pain increasing month after month.
3 Dizziness or nausea with the pain.
Management
For most women, commonly used medicines like mefenamic acid or a combination of mefenamic acid with dicyclomine work well for period pain. These medicines are considered safe when used in the correct dose during periods.
You may take one tablet when pain starts and can repeat after eight hours if needed. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
If you need painkillers every single month or multiple times a day, then we should evaluate for conditions like hormonal imbalance or underlying menstrual disorders. I can guide you with the exact medicine and dosage based on your age, weight and medical history.
When to Consult a Doctor Immediately
1 Severe pain not relieved even after taking medicine.
2 Very heavy bleeding with clots.
3 Pain associated with fever or vomiting.
Every patientâs situation is unique. For accurate diagnosis and lasting relief, it is important to discuss your symptoms, medical history and menstrual pattern in detail.
You can reach out to me directly for this case and also connect with me in future for any medical consultation. I am available on Practo or on WhatsApp at 85271646 seven seven for a one on one consultation where you will receive
1 A personalised treatment plan
2 Safe medicine adjustments if required
3 Quick follow ups to track your recovery
Take care, wishing you good health.
Dr Romain Rajan
General Physician
Slight pain and discomfort is normal during menstruation in lower part af abdomen.
You can take take meftal spas 500 mg .
But if the pain is very severe everytime then you have to consultation a gynecologist and proper examination and ultrasound should be done
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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