A common over-the-counter medication — taken in a specific way — could help women beat agonising period symptoms, doctors have claimed.
Women often resort to painkillers while suffering from monthly discomfort — which can include abdominal cramps, breast pain, sore joints and headaches.
But this might be the wrong approach, according to New York-based gynecologist Dr Molly McBride.
She claims taking ibuprofen twice a day, for two days before a period is due to start, could dramatically ease pain and also reduce menstrual flow by up to 30 per cent.
In a TikTok video now seen more than five million times, she also said it was safe to do so every month.
Responding to a user (pictured) who said ‘three days before your period comes, you’re going to take two Advil twice a day’, Dr Molly McBride said: ‘Guess what she’s right’
Dr McBride claims taking ibuprofen twice a day, for two days before a period is due to start, could dramatically ease pain and also reduce menstrual flow by up to 30 per cent
Responding to a user who said ‘three days before your period comes, you’re going to take two Advil twice a day’, Dr McBride admitted: ‘Guess what she’s right.’
She added: ‘On average you can reduce your menstrual flow by about 30 per cent and significantly reduce cramps by taking ibuprofen twice a day for two days before your period starts.
‘When you get your period, your body produces a hormone called prostaglandin which causes cramping that helps your uterus shed the lining.
‘Ibuprofen slows down prostaglandin production which means less bleeding and less cramps.’
Responding to concerns by users worried about taking ibuprofen regularly, she also said: ‘It’s not that much as long as you don’t have gastrointestinal issues.’
For women allergic to ibuprofen she also recommended they take two Lysteda pills on the first day of their periods as it ‘does the same thing’.
Lysteda, or tranexamic acid, is available both via prescription and over-the-counter and has been shown to help with iron deficiency by reducing menstrual blood loss.
Research shows that about 17 per cent of teens and women between the ages of 14 and 50 are iron deficient, primarily due to due to heavy menstrual bleeding.
For girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 21, it’s this rises to 40 per cent.
One user, who took the ibuprofen advice, took to TikTok claiming it was the ‘best period I’ve had in a very very long time’.
The influencer @francesca.talks who boasts more than 100,000 followers added: ‘It works. I did not use my heating pad once. That never happens.’
Responding to the video, another user said: ‘This works!! My doctor told me the same thing! Life changing!!’
A third, meanwhile, wrote: ‘So true! I had a concussion obviously was taking Advil for my headaches and literally my period was so light and not painful at all.’
While menstrual cycle symptoms vary greatly, many women experience physical symptoms such as abdominal cramps, backache, nausea, fatigue, bloating and headaches during their period.
They can also experience mental side-effects throughout their menstrual cycle – including mood swings, irritability, anger and anxiety.
These are often because of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension (PMT) and occur before the period starts.
In a TikTok video now seen more than five million times, New York-based gynecologist Dr McBride also said it was safe to do so every month
While menstrual cycle symptoms vary greatly, many women experience physical symptoms such as abdominal cramps, backache, nausea, fatigue, bloating and headaches during their period
For women with menstrual conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), these symptoms can be debilitating, causing some to have to miss work or school.
PMS is estimated to affect almost a third of all women.
Regular sleep, meals and exercise are lifestyle changes purported by the NHS to improve symptoms.
Cognitive behavioural therapy – CBT — as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), most commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety, and the combined contraceptive pill are other treatments GPs currently recommend.
Dietary supplements and acupuncture can also be taken but the health service notes ‘evidence of their effectiveness is limited’.
It comes as one survey last month saw over half of British women admit they would quit their job tomorrow to work at a company which lets them work from home while on their period.
According to the poll from healthy-eating platform Lifesum, 84 per cent of women said they continue to work despite feeling unwell during their period.
Seven in 10 also said their workplaces offered no menstrual or hormonal health support.
More than half said their mental wellbeing and stress levels were impacted during their period, while just under half reported that their productivity also declined.
