Any advice on treatments for chronic period pains that are available here in Thailand please? Treatments that you know to work, not the usual fantasy stuff that seems to be heaped on ladies by advertisers.

In particular I was wondering if Evening Primrose Oil really does work and if so, when should it be taken and in what dosage?

Not being a man and prone to this particularly debilitating plight I am, though, concerned at a Thai friend having to suffer this for 4 days at a time even losing days work over it.

Thanks for any helpful replies.

Evening primrose oil does nothing for dysmennorrhea (menstrual cramps). It may be of some benefit for pre-menstrual symoptoms but that is a totally different matter.

For menstrual cramps, non-streoidal anti-inflamatory durgs (NSAIDs) are best and widely available. Must be taklen with food to avoid stomach upset. One popular brand in Thailand is Ponstan.

Going on "the pill" (birth control pills) helps some women.

Lastly, if she hasn't already, she should have a gyn check-up to make sure she doesn't have endometriosis or other abnormal condition accounting for the severity of the pain. 4 days is rather long for ordinary menstrual cramps.

Mother Nature at her worse, some over the counter medicine work for wife and other female family members. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for that Sheryl. Note taken and it is at least 3 days of bad cramps.

BSnake .... not for me not unless I changed sex today

i agree with sheryl. ponstan is a godsend. but i suspect that the dont sell them over the counter to thais (that is what some of my thai friends tell me anyway). this is the same medicine that was given to me when i had the worst headaches ever when ill with malaria. so, it works.

Bought some yesterday from the pharmacy. I'll see how they work. Maybe a bit late for this month.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it isn't the best topic in the world, but it can be painful for the sufferer and to relieve some of that suffering can only be a good thing.

I bought a little device in Boots in the UK a few years back. It is a mini tens machine that you put on your tummy and which send electrical pulses through your muscles. It is a really weird sensation but once you get used to it it is really great. I don't have enough time now to find out the name, but I am sure it is easily google-able.

Bought some yesterday from the pharmacy. I'll see how they work. Maybe a bit late for this month.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it isn't the best topic in the world, but it can be painful for the sufferer and to relieve some of that suffering can only be a good thing.

Glad to hear it. But do remember what I said about a check-up. Thai women are VERY reluctant to have gyn exams so I wouldn't be surprised if she has never had one. Normallymenstrual cramps last for a day or two only, so I suspect she could have endometriosis. That is especially likely if she is over 25 and has no chikdren, but can occur at earlier ages.