UK study finds women may not be buying the best pain relief for period cramps

Many women may be reaching for the wrong pain relief for menstrual cramps, according to a large study analyzing supermarket till receipts. The research, which examined a decade of loyalty card data from 211 million transactions in an unnamed English high street chain, found paracetamol was the most frequent painkiller purchased alongside tampons and sanitary towels.

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I don't think I'm going out on a limb here by saying that if men got period pain, we'd know a lot more about it by now.

However, experts suggest ibuprofen could be a more effective choice for many women. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that blocks the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances linked to the painful muscle contractions of the womb during periods. Paracetamol, while still effective for pain, primarily works in the brain to block pain signals and is better suited for headaches or reducing fever.

The study, published in PLoS Digital Health, analyzed purchases from 3.4 million shoppers between 2006 and 2015. It revealed that half of all menstrual product transactions also included a pain product. Of these, approximately two-thirds were paracetamol-based, with the remaining third being ibuprofen. Researchers stressed that the data offers a snapshot rather than a fully representative national picture but provides insights into period pain relief purchasing habits.

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Paracetamol is perhaps more familiar to people which might explain why it was bought more often, they suggest.

Experts highlighted a public health education opportunity, with one researcher noting that if men experienced period pain, more research would likely exist. They recommend starting ibuprofen the day before or several days before expected pain to preempt prostaglandin production. For severe period pain that interferes with daily life, consulting a doctor is advised.

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While still an effective painkiller, ibuprofen can be a better choice for period pain because it blocks the production of prostaglandins - the chemical responsible for causing the cramping contractions of muscles in the womb.