Can we use paracetamol for menstrual cramps???

[Chotu5]

Hi All , last year I had laproscopy surgery for my endometriosis and removal of cyst . Before surgery whenever I'm in pain I used to manage without painkiller but after surgery now I'm getting lower back pain and I'm taking paracetamol for pain relief.Is it safe to use paracetamol for period pain and I've heard that gluten free diet is best for people suffering from endometriosis . Any specific foods to avoid and is there any way to stop backward menstruation which is the reason for endometriosis.

[Endoqueen31]

paracetamol is absolutely fine to use. My period pain would be that bad and extreme I would have to use morphine. I’ve since had a hysterectomy so for me this doesn’t happen anymore. Being gluten free helps with bloating just do whatever your body wants and needs x

[Chotu5 in reply to Endoqueen31]

Thanks for the reply.

[bluebug]

You can try any over the counter painkillers for period pains and back pains just follow the dosage on the packet.

However one reason why women get diagnosed with endo/adeno is because over the counter pain killers don't work.

[Chotu5 in reply to bluebug]

Ok thanks

[G3miniStar]

Ibuprofen is better for period pain if you can stomach it, as anti-inflammatory drugs act on the hormones that cause the period contractions. Obviously they're worse on the stomach so if paracetamol works then that's the kindest option. For me I often had to take both at once because one just didn't cut it.

[Chotu5 in reply to G3miniStar]

Ok thanks

[Cailleach]

As people have said, you can use paracetamol and ibuprofen is also good. You can use both of these as they are different types of drugs. I used to take them at different times eg paracetamol as soon as I wake, ibuprofen at breakfast - it is usually better taken with food. I found I got better cover for the pain that way.

Of course only take painkillers when you need them but with anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen it can help to start them a couple of days before your period to build up the effect.

If over the counter medicines are not enough see your GP. If your symptoms get worse you might want them to refer you back to gynaecology.

There are lots of posts on this site about diet and endo. To sum up different diet changes seem to work for some people and not for others. Personally I didn’t find gluten free helped me, but it might help you.

The causes of endometriosis are complex and not fully understood. I think retrograde menstruation which you mentioned is an older theory and in any case I don’t know how you could prevent it.

Hope you find you are able to manage your pain. There is lots of information on here and on the Endometriosis UK website x

[Chotu5 in reply to Cailleach]

Ok thanks.

[EmB18]

Anti-inflammatory diets can be helpful with endo, increasing anti-inflammatory foods like fruit, veg and oily fish. It's also worth testing whether any of the inflammatory foods are triggers for you - for me it was wheat and sugar but we all react to different things.

[Chotu5 in reply to EmB18]

Ok thanks