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I have period cramps and lower back pain. How to ease it?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 19-year-old female, with a height of five feet. I experience severe dysmenorrhea during my monthly menstrual period, especially on the first day. I usually wake up at midnight feeling the urge to poop and extremely nauseous, and sometimes I even vomit.

Most of the time on the first day, I avoid eating heavy meals because I feel like I cannot digest food properly, which often leads to vomiting a few hours after eating.

I also experience very uncomfortable period cramps, along with lower back pain and heavy menstrual flow that usually lasts about five days. My menstruation is regular.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Sofia John

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sofia John is a dedicated surgical specialist known for her expertise in general and hair transplant surgery. She focuses on personalized patient care, combining advanced surgical techniques with compassionate support to achieve the best health outcomes and long-term well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern. Let me guide you on what to do for lifestyle and supportive care.

  1. Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to your lower abdomen or back.

  2. Light exercise or stretching in the days before and during your period can help reduce cramp intensity.

  3. Stay hydrated and avoid excessive caffeine or salty foods before your period.

  4. You can also take medications. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are very effective for menstrual cramps and nausea because they block prostaglandins. Best taken at the very first sign of bleeding or pain, sometimes even one day before your expected period.

  5. If nausea or vomiting is severe, doctors can prescribe anti-nausea medications (Ondansetron, Domperidone, or Metoclopramide).

  6. If pain is not controlled with NSAIDs, your doctor may suggest hormonal birth control, which often reduces cramps, bleeding, and flow regularity.

Since your symptoms are severe and affect daily life, you should definitely get checked. A gynecologist may do:

  1. Pelvic exam and ultrasound to rule out secondary causes (endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts).

  2. Blood tests are used to determine if heavy bleeding has caused anemia.

You should seek urgent care if you experience the following -

  1. Pain is not relieved by NSAIDs.

  2. You vomit so much that you cannot keep fluids down.

  3. You feel dizzy or faint or develop very heavy bleeding.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Regards.

Answered by Dr. Sofia John
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At November 19, 2025
Reviewed At November 19, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sofia John is a dedicated surgical specialist known for her expertise in general and hair transplant surgery. She focuses on personalized patient care, combining advanced surgical techniques with compassionate support to achieve the best health outcomes and long-term well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sofia John is a dedicated surgical specialist known for her expertise in general and hair transplant surgery. She focuses on personalized patient care, combining advanced surgical techniques with compassionate support to achieve the best health outcomes and long-term well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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