Symptoms:
- Pain in lower abdomen, possibly extending to lower back, thighs and hips. It is normal to have mild cramping for a few days prior to and at the beginning of your period.
Home Care/Self Treatment:
- Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, Ibuprofen or Aleve
(follow package directions)
- Warm bath or heating pad to area for 20 minutes
- Mild exercise
- Change tampons frequently, at least every 4 hours.
Seek Medical Attention if:
- Persistent severe bleeding that requires use of more than one full-size pad or super tampon per hour for 8 hours
- Passage of large clots or tissue
- Period is more than 2 weeks late, and you are sexually active
- Unusually severe pain or pain does not resolve by third day of menstrual flow
- Fever greater than 101
- Fainting or dizziness
- Bleeding lasting longer than 10 days