Hi and thanks for sharing your question with HCM. Many ladies suffer menstrual cramps before and during their periods. They can cause significant discomfort but rarely warrant a visit to the hospital. Symptoms include cramping, breast tenderness, lower abdominal pain, bloating, back ache, headache and nausea. You can use an antispasmodic painkiller like mefenamic acid if the cramping is preventing you from functioning normally. Eating a nutritious meal, drinking enough water, drinking a warm beverage or pressing a warm bottle to the lower abdomen can also help. Some women take this medication one or two days before their periods to offset the pain. Supplements that can be taken to reduce the severity of menstrual cramps include high omega 3 fish oil and vitamin E. If you are overweight, losing some of the extra weight may reduce the severity of your symptoms. You will need to see your regular doctor if you have very heavy periodss or suffer debilitating cramps. I hope this helps. Thanks Dr Shabnam