# Menstrual Cramps and Muscle Relaxants **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2002, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345 "2002-04-24T14:11:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/1 "2002-04-24T14:11:29Z")
As I vomitted into a garbage can on Chicago Avenue yesterday, broken into a cold sweat, clutching my abdomen in preparation for the imminent birth of an extra terrestrial creature, I audibly rasped out: “I gotta get home, I need my pills.” You see, I take muscle relaxants to keep me from dying every month during my period. I have had these cramps all my life, they keep me grounded I guess, from thinking I’m invincible or something. I vomit, I wail, I sweat, my boss said my face looked like the color of OATMEAL. Anyway. After a hot bath, I took my muscle relaxant and tried to go to sleep. Two hours later…fine. Perfect…could have danced a jig. but then I was wondering, are these muscle relaxants making my period last LONGER? It’s my understanding that the purpose of the painful contractions is to help slough off the uterine lining. By calming those contractions and ‘relaxing’ my uterus, is my period going to take longer because it’s basically doing it the ‘lazy’ way rather than actively grinding out lining? Or do I have the whole concept wrong? The bottom line is…if I suffered through the pain, like women of old who were sent out from the villages…would my period only be two days long rather than three? j ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/2 "2002-04-24T14:17:43Z")
Hmm. I don’t know about cramps being a sloughing mechanism-- some people have no cramps at all but their flow eventually ends just like the rest of us. I think cramps are somehow incidental and not really functioning in a particular way. My layman’s answer. Laywymyn’s answer, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/3 "2002-04-24T14:20:55Z")
I wonder if women that have little cramping have longer cycles. My cramps are devastating and my period only lasts 3 days, four at the MOST. j ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/4 "2002-04-24T14:23:11Z")
I’ve always wondered about this. I always have my heaviest flow when I have cramps. Is the heavy flow caused by cramps? Are cramps caused by heavy flow? Is the heavy flow caused by heavy hormones which also cause cramps? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/5 "2002-04-24T14:26:28Z")
and where does crying at my dial up service over the phone fit in? ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/6 "2002-04-24T14:37:06Z")
I don’t have a factual answer, but a 3 day period??? Mine usually last 5. And I rarely have cramps that even register. So maybe there’s something to that. And I guess this resolves the pregnancy threads. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Nordic\_Pacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/77aa72/32.png) [@Nordic\_Pacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nordic_Pacer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/7 "2002-04-24T14:37:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*I wonder if women that have little cramping have longer cycles. My cramps are devastating and my period only lasts 3 days, four at the MOST. > > j \*\* From my experience, no. I have those rolling-around-on-the-bed-groaning-wishing-I-was-dead cramps every month and my period usually lasts 6 to 7 days. Sometimes a handful of Aleve will take the edge off, sometimes I have to resort to something heavier duty. Thankfully, only the first 24-36 hours involve the cramping part. For me, the heavy flow is _definitely_ related to the monstrous cramps - after those first 24-36 hours things calm down considerably. ---
**Author:** ![cagiva650](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cagiva650](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cagiva650)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/8 "2002-04-24T14:38:22Z")
Wow those are intense cramps, you’ve described me in active labor!! But my cramps hurt more now than they did before I had kids. I wonder if those cramps help at all in the tummy toning department? ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/9 "2002-04-24T14:49:39Z")
Does the intensity and frequency of cramps increase with age? I’ve noticed the older I get my cramps become more painful–but nowhere near your level, **jarbaby** –and I feel worse the first day and the day before. I agree that the heavy flow is definitely related to more serious cramping, and when I have heavy flow with cramping in the first two days I can look forward to a shorter period. ---
**Author:** ![Thinks2Much](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Thinks2Much](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinks2Much)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/10 "2002-04-24T14:50:34Z")
I used to have heavy cramping before we found out I had endometriosis. Since I had the surgery, I don’t get cramps much at all anymore, but in either case, my period lasted the same - 4 to 5 days. Progesterone is what controls build up of the uterine lining. Women who have longer/heavier periods have more progesterone. There can be a huge variance from woman to woman of this hormone, all considered normal. Not everyone with heavy cramps has endo, but that is the most common symptom. If you have pain during intercourse as well, you should mention it to your doctor. The problem is, there is no way for them to know you have it without actually looking inside you, so lots of doctors won’t take it seriously. The endo actually caused a solid mass on my ovary (blocked blood flow) so the doctor could feel the mass at my regular check-up, otherwise I wouldn’t have known either. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/11 "2002-04-24T15:26:44Z")
So…what I take from all of this is that we still don’t know if muscle relaxants _hinder_ active menstruation by basically stopping contractions and letting the uterus just sit around. Damn lazy uterus. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/12 "2002-04-24T15:32:50Z")
Thank you, ladies, for enduring all of this. I am SO glad I’m a man. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/13 "2002-04-24T15:52:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\*I’ve always wondered about this. I always have my heaviest flow when I have cramps. Is the heavy flow caused by cramps? Are cramps caused by heavy flow? Is the heavy flow caused by heavy hormones which also cause cramps? \*\* I find that when the cramps get intense it’s because a particularly large clot is being expelled from the uterus. The contractions (cramps) seem to help this along. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/14 "2002-04-24T15:54:09Z")
So a muscle relaxant would keep that clot in there longer, eh? Or subduing the contractions would prevent the clot from being expelled in a timely manner? ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/15 "2002-04-24T16:15:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*So a muscle relaxant would keep that clot in there longer, eh? Or subduing the contractions would prevent the clot from being expelled in a timely manner? \*\* Not sure. Perhaps the muscle relaxant doesn’t actually keep the muscle from contracting. Maybe it just inhibits the pain of said contraction. Honey ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/16 "2002-04-24T16:19:44Z")
If that were the case then Vicodin would help in these situations, when (for me at least), only a muscle relaxant does the trick. More research is needed, but thankfully my cramps are over for this month. J ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/17 "2002-04-24T16:23:55Z")
I’m going to have to ask the missus about this one. She’s been taking cyclobenzaprene for her back lately and her latest period was really weird. It seemed to last longer and be more ‘variable’ than normal. ---
**Author:** ![Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Echo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/18 "2002-04-24T16:27:47Z")
Here is a modestly priced opinion from a newcomer to this board. I _think_ the uterus continues to constrict even after the use of muscle relaxants and analgesics, but you do not perceive as much pain because the analgesics inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which accumulate and stimulate pain receptors, causing that dull, unrelenting ache. But then again, I took Anatomy and Physio back in ancient times, so I probably do not know what I’m talking about 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/19 "2002-04-24T16:27:49Z")
How funny. Because I take cyclobenzoprene for my back AND my cramps. It’s two great tastes that knock you out together. j ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2002, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345/20 "2002-04-24T16:29:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Echo \* > > But then again, I took Anatomy and Physio back in ancient times, so I probably do not know what I’m talking about 😉 PLUS, you’re using gigantic words that us Theatre majors have no knowledge of 😃 Welcome to the boards! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cramps-and-muscle-relaxants/105345.md?page=2)