What can help with cramps during perimenopause?
Cramps can definitely show up in perimenopause, when estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and your periods get more erratic. The simplest things that may help are a heating pad or hot water bottle, over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and regular exercise. If the cramping seems to come with constipation, gas, or bloating, hydration and fiber may help too.
It’s worth knowing that cramps in perimenopause aren’t always just “period cramps.” They can also be linked to things like fibroids, endometriosis, constipation, or other pelvic and digestive issues. Sometimes fibroids and adenomyosis flare in perimenopause as hormones swing around. If the pain is new, severe, keeps happening, or comes with bleeding, painful sex, back pain, nausea, bowel or bladder pain, bloating, leg swelling, weight change, or unusual fatigue, it’s a good idea to get checked. A pelvic exam, and sometimes imaging like an ultrasound, can help find the cause.
Here at Alloy, if your cramps seem tied to irregular perimenopause cycles, one option a menopause-trained doctor may consider is our low-dose birth control pill, which is used in women who are still having periods and can help regulate unruly cycles. You can also read our guide on cramps during menopause and perimenopause or start an Alloy assessment.
Low-Dose Birth Control Pill
$39.99 /month
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