# Help with that time of the month. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368 "2008-01-28T22:02:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/21 "2008-01-29T14:56:41Z")
I guess it’s a little late, but I find great relief from Evening Primrose Oil, taken a few days before and the the first two days of my ‘time’. You can find it anywhere vitamins are sold. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/22 "2008-01-29T15:27:53Z")
No such thing as late. As I understand it this whole thing will start over again next month. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/23 "2008-01-29T15:48:05Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] No such thing as late. As I understand it this whole thing will start over again next month. 😃 [/QUOTE] Only until she’s about 50, probably. Hooray, I only have 12 more years of this goddam monthly annoyance!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/24 "2008-01-29T15:50:59Z")
Motrin. Midol is for people who _think_ they have cramps. A proper painkiller is better. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/25 "2008-01-29T16:37:22Z")
[QUOTE=Nawth Chucka] Only until she’s about 50, probably. Hooray, I only have 12 more years of this goddam monthly annoyance!! 😃 [/QUOTE] Well not to be telling someone elses business, but this used to be a bigger issue until she went off of her birth control, which she had been prescribed since she was younger for just this issue. She has baaaaaaad cramps otherwise. She’s currently cycling off of the shot and going back on the pill, but she has to have a period before they’ll hook her back up. Hopefully when she get’s her new scrip things will go back to “normal”. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/26 "2008-01-29T16:47:55Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] Aleve. Works better for cramps than anything OTC I’ve found. [/QUOTE] Seconded. I get cramps from hell and the introduction of Aleve was a godsend. I can actually sleep through the night now; before I would wake up after four hours when the Advil had worn off nad be in agony waiting for the new pill to take affect. If the cramps have already taken hold, it’ll take a little while for the Aleve to start working so the heating pad & other tricks are good in the meantime. Next time, she needs to start taking it at the very first sign of starting so she can stop the cramps before they start. Or, if she’s back on the pill, she may not need it. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/27 "2008-01-29T16:54:25Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] Sex. ETA: Sorry, that seems flippant, but I was serious. Sex - or masturbating as well - helps with cramps for some women. [/QUOTE] This doesn’t work, sorry to say. Last time she had cramps I masturbated and it didn’t help her _at all_! ---
**Author:** ![amelioration](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9c0ed/32.png) [@amelioration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amelioration)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/28 "2008-01-29T17:46:53Z")
You’ve been getting some great advice here, **Cluricaun** , and good on you for asking and following it! Your girlfriend will definitely appreciate it. 🙂 You wouldn’t believe how important sympathy from men can be to a woman in this kind of pain. There’s so many guys out there who think women are exaggerating and sometimes even tell them that; what a way to make someone feel worthless when they’re already frustrated that men don’t get that pain, simply because they’re men! There’s also many men out there who want to help but think that, because they’re male, they can’t “relate” so they can’t help, and as a result they freeze up and don’t know what to do. Believe me, sympathy and kind words from a man are like a godsend then. (ETA: She might not admit that to the man during the cramping, because she’s still pissed off that the man doesn’t have to suffer like she does. But once the fog from the pain and frustration clears out, she’ll be very grateful.) Just being told, “I don’t know what this feels like for you, but I really wish you didn’t have to go through that pain and I’ll do whatever I can to make it better for you” is pretty much the best thing you can say. Even if the woman doesn’t express their appreciation immediately, it will definitely be remembered. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/29 "2008-01-29T17:47:53Z")
Can you come up here in a couple of weeks? ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/30 "2008-01-29T21:43:44Z")
Oooh, I’ve heard many women say that going off hormonal birth control gives them horror cramps from hell–she has my sympathy! So now that you’ve successfully gotten through the worst of this month, it’s time to get ready for next month by laying in a good supply of zinc, magnesium and calcium. Zinc and calcium prevent muscle cramping in general and magnesium improves calcium uptake. The study I read advised 1500mg/day of calcium for 3-5 days previous to onset of menstruation. My daughter is subject to incredibly bad PMS and cramps and if she forgets her calcium she’s like the goddamned Hulk! [This site](http://www.obgyn.net/young-woman/young-woman.asp?page=/young-woman/articles/pats_dysmenorrha) has some really good suggestions for dietary changes to aid cramps, along with recommendations for vitamin supplements and explanations for the common causes of cramps. > [@linked site](#): > > Foods to avoid would include foods high in arachidonic acid. This is the fat the body uses to produce the series-2 prostiglandins which are the ones that cause muscle and uterine contractions. These foods include: dairy products, saturated fats and animal foods. Some women find they lack the enzyme to digest dairy products, which contribute to the menstrual cramps. Chicken and turkey are lower in saturated fat but higher in arachidonic acid than red meats. > > Salt can aggravate menstrual cramps as this will increase fluid retention and worsen bloating. Sugar might interfere with the absorption and metabolism of some of the B vitamins and minerals. Nutritional imbalances can lead to difficulty in muscle functioning and lead to muscle spasms. > > Foods that seem to improve menstrual cramps are foods that increase the antispasmodic prostiglandins. Certain fish, including salmon, tuna, and halibut contain linolenic acid, a healthy fatty acid that helps to relax muscles with the production of a different prostaglandin. Nuts and seeds, especially flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds can improve these prostiglandins. So correcting bad nutritional habits can lead to an overall improvement in cramping and PMS. Also, when taking Aleve, be aware that the original dosage recommended before it went OTC was 500mg (my ex was prescribed Naprosyn, the same naproxen sodium that’s the active ingredient in Aleve, back in the day and that was the dosage it came in) so don’t be afraid to take two even though the package says one–the OTC dosage is 220mg/tablet. Man, I remember a male GYN telling me that menstrual cramps are all imaginary when I was a teenager–I really, REALLY wanted to kick him right in the nuts and then tell him HIS pain was imaginary because I don’t have testicles… It’s nice to be taken seriously about pain! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/31 "2008-01-29T22:17:38Z")
You forgot one really trashy magazine (that she herself would never be caught dead buying), and a couple of her favorite publications to go with it. Reading magazines is one of the few things it’s easy to do in bed under a blankie! Your job is to help her rationalize why she should; leave the dishes, put the laundry off till tomorrow, skip making that difficult phone call, just relax and take it easy. Tea, chocolate anything, salty snacks, flowers and compliments go without saying, of course. But consider renting her favorite old movie for her to watch in case there is nothing on the tv. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/32 "2008-01-29T22:30:58Z")
When I have PMS I like to be left alone. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/33 "2008-01-29T22:53:50Z")
[QUOTE=elbows] You forgot one really trashy magazine (that she herself would never be caught dead buying), and a couple of her favorite publications to go with it. Reading magazines is one of the few things it’s easy to do in bed under a blankie! [/QUOTE] I only forgot to mention the assorted Britany Spears related periodicals that snuck into my shopping basket. And no, I never read these too while I’m in the bathroom, why would you even mention that? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/34 "2008-01-30T12:35:34Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] No such thing as late. As I understand it this whole thing will start over again next month. 😃 [/QUOTE] If you play your cards right in two weeks time, you could get 9 months or so of freedom from these issues, though I understand that the cramps she will get at the end are pretty intense, and lead to 18 years of hell to pay. 😉 Si ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/35 "2008-01-30T12:56:18Z")
[QUOTE=Nawth Chucka] I guess it’s a little late, but I find great relief from Evening Primrose Oil, taken a few days before and the the first two days of my ‘time’. You can find it anywhere vitamins are sold. [/QUOTE] I came in here to recommend this. ---
**Author:** ![Butterscotch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Butterscotch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Butterscotch)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/36 "2008-01-30T18:27:40Z")
[QUOTE=Nawth Chucka] I guess it’s a little late, but I find great relief from Evening Primrose Oil, taken a few days before and the the first two days of my ‘time’. You can find it anywhere vitamins are sold. [/QUOTE] … and me too. This taken with Vitamin B6, or a Vitamin B complex (make sure it has the B6) is the absolute puppy’s privates when it comes to fending off PMS. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/37 "2008-01-30T19:31:31Z")
[QUOTE=scout1222] When I have PMS I like to be left alone. [/QUOTE] Amen, sister. Alone is good! Alone with a cat can be okay, too, though. Fortunately, even though I still have my ovaries, getting a hysterectomy helped with a lot of the PMS stuff. Maybe because I was able to go off the pill. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/38 "2008-01-30T19:49:50Z")
Keep in mind that this isn’t PMS, this is actual DMS, the D standing for During. Last night it was backrubs and chocolate covered strawberries (which let me tell you aren’t easy to come by in Illinois in the dead of winter). Hopefully I have enough brownie points by now to redeem them for a new motorcycle, but I’m not holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/39 "2008-01-30T20:18:59Z")
I’m with Scout. I don’t necessarily want to be coddled or taken care of before or during my period. I wouldn’t mind some time to myself. Ideally I’d just hole up with a book and ignore the outside world. ---
**Author:** ![fatgail](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fatgail/32/7285_2.png) [@fatgail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatgail)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368/40 "2008-01-30T20:26:50Z")
[QUOTE=Savannah] CLONE THIS MAN! For the benefit of all womankind. [/QUOTE] Of course! because we’re all the same, easily plied with sweet treats and empty gestures! Next month, get her a big book of KATHY cartoons. Oh Kathy, will you EVER be happy in a swimsuit? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-that-time-of-the-month/435368.md?page=3)