Period Relief Treatment

Period pain (Dysmenorrhea) occurs because the uterus contracts to shed its lining during menstruation. These contractions are triggered by Prostaglandins — the more Prostaglandin your body produces, the more intense the cramps.

Period pain comes in two types:

🔴 Primary Dysmenorrhea — Most common. No underlying disease. Caused by high Prostaglandin levels. Usually begins in adolescence shortly after the first period. Pain concentrated in the first 1-3 days.

🟡 Secondary Dysmenorrhea — Caused by an underlying condition such as Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or ovarian cysts. Often develops or worsens later in life. Pain may last longer than typical.

Period pain involves more than just abdominal cramps.

🩸 Core symptoms — Cramping, squeezing pain in the lower abdomen / pain radiating to the lower back and thighs / usually begins just before or on the first day of menstruation / worst during the first 1-2 days

😫 Associated symptoms — Nausea and vomiting / diarrhoea or constipation / headache / fatigue and weakness / mood swings and irritability / bloating and water retention

At Intimo Life, we offer 3 products across 2 drug classes. All are NSAIDs that directly reduce Prostaglandin production.

Ponstan — Mefenamic Acid

• The classic period pain medication, extremely well-known among Thai women
• Particularly effective at reducing Prostaglandin — directly targets the root cause
• Take 500 mg, 3 times daily after meals
• Specialist choice for period pain

Gofen — Ibuprofen

• Versatile painkiller effective for period pain, headaches, and muscle pain
• Reduces Prostaglandin + inflammation + fever
• Fast-acting, ideal when you need relief from multiple symptoms

Ibrofen 400 FC — Ibuprofen 400 mg

• Same active ingredient as Gofen (Ibuprofen), different brand
• All-in-one pain relief, fever reduction, and anti-inflammatory action

The key principle: take it early — don't wait until pain is severe.

⏰ Take at the first sign of pain — NSAIDs work best before Prostaglandin levels build up. Waiting until pain is intense means more Prostaglandin has already been produced, reducing the medication's effectiveness.

💡 Pro tip: take it preventively — If you know when your period is due, start NSAIDs 1-2 days before. This suppresses Prostaglandin production from the start, significantly reducing cramps.

💊 Take after food — NSAIDs can irritate the stomach. Taking them after meals reduces this risk.

📅 Take on schedule — Every 6-8 hours consistently for the first 2-3 painful days. Don't wait for pain to return before taking the next dose.

Both are NSAIDs that work well for period pain, but have different strengths.

Ponstan (Mefenamic Acid) — Particularly strong at reducing Prostaglandin, making it a specialist choice for period pain / the go-to choice in Thailand for menstrual cramps

Gofen / Ibrofen (Ibuprofen) — More versatile, covering period pain plus headaches, fever, and muscle pain / fast-acting / extensive clinical evidence

Bottom line: Period pain only → Ponstan is the classic choice / Period pain with headache, body aches, or fever → Ibuprofen covers more ground

NSAIDs have a strong safety profile when used correctly, but there are precautions.

Common side effects — Stomach irritation, nausea, upper abdominal pain (reduced by taking after food) / diarrhoea (more common with Mefenamic Acid)

Contraindications — Active stomach ulcers or severe acid reflux / allergy to NSAIDs or aspirin / severe kidney, liver, or heart problems / taking blood thinners

Precautions — Don't take continuously for more than 5-7 days / if you have acid reflux, consult a pharmacist — you may need to take an antacid alongside

Many women wonder why paracetamol doesn't help their cramps.

The reason is that paracetamol works in the brain to reduce pain perception but doesn't reduce Prostaglandin — the actual cause of period cramps. NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Mefenamic Acid) directly reduce Prostaglandin production, making them far more effective for this specific type of pain.

However, paracetamol can be taken alongside NSAIDs (they're different drug classes and don't overlap) for enhanced pain relief. See our general painkillers collection.

Several approaches complement period pain medication effectively.

🔥 Heat therapy — Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to the lower abdomen for 15-20 minutes. Research shows heat therapy can be as effective as Ibuprofen for menstrual cramps.

🏃 Light exercise — Brisk walking, yoga, and gentle stretching help the body release endorphins, providing natural pain relief. Exercising during your period is safe and beneficial.

🧘 Relaxation — Deep breathing, resting in the foetal position. Stress worsens period pain.

💊 Contraceptive pills — Hormonal contraceptives reduce Prostaglandin production, significantly reducing period pain and flow. Ideal for women with severe monthly cramps who also want contraception.

Most period pain is normal, but certain signs may indicate an underlying condition.

🚨 See a doctor if — Pain is worsening progressively each month and medication isn't helping / severe pain first appearing after age 25 (when you never had bad cramps before) / pain lasting beyond 3 days or occurring outside your period / extremely heavy bleeding requiring pad changes every hour / pain during sex / difficulty getting pregnant

These may indicate Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or other conditions requiring medical evaluation.

✅ Safe combinations — Paracetamol (enhances pain relief — different drug class) / contraceptive pills / anti-nausea medication / anti-diarrhoeal medication

⚠️ Caution needed — Never take 2 NSAIDs together (e.g. Ponstan + Ibuprofen — increases stomach irritation risk without added benefit) / caution with blood thinners / blood pressure medication may be slightly less effective when combined with NSAIDs — consult a pharmacist