When your period ruins your day

According to a survey, one third of menstruating women (67 per cent) between the ages of 14 and 50 suffer from period pain.¹⁾ In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms such as backache and headaches can also occur. The main symptoms and their severity vary from person to person.

Abdominal pain is usually caused by prostaglandins. These messenger substances cause the muscles of the uterus to contract more strongly. These contractions then cause cramp-like pain in the lower abdomen and back, which can sometimes be severely limiting for sufferers.

¹⁾ AOK survey: 67 per cent of women in Germany suffer from menstrual pain

The active substance naproxen in Naproxen axicur^® tablets is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This group of active substances is used for the short-term treatment of mild to moderate pain.

Naproxen alleviates period pain by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are messenger substances that are involved in transmitting the pain signal to the brain.

Naproxen axicur^® 250 mg is available in packs of 10, 20 or 30 tablets. Each tablet contains 250 mg of the pain-relieving active substance naproxen. The dosage of the drug always depends on the doctor’s instructions or the recommendation from the pharmacy and is adjusted to the patient's age. It can be used by adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. For further information on dosage, see the patient information leaflet.

The tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with liquid, e.g. a glass of water. Taking the tablets before meals helps to accelerate the onset of action, but patients with a sensitive stomach should take the tablets during a meal.

If the pain persists for more than 4 days despite taking naproxen, medical advice should be sought.

Home remedies can help to support the pain-relieving effect of Naproxen axicur^® in case of period pain or to make the days more comfortable even without painkillers. In the case of period-related symptoms, the following measures have proven particularly effective:

• Heat: this tip is not new for sufferers. A hot-water bottle or a hot bath can help relax cramped muscles and relieve the pain.
• Movement: it may sound counter-intuitive, but gentle movement such as running or yoga can in fact help reduce period pain. This is because the blood vessels become dilated, reducing cramps. Exercising also releases endorphins, which can make people feel less pain.
• Relaxation exercises: stress has a negative effect on sensitivity to pain. Relaxing activities such as breathing exercises or autogenic training can therefore help to relieve pain even during menstruation.
• Massage: symptoms during menstruation often do not only affect the abdomen. The lower back, hips and legs can also be painful if the unpleasant pulling in the abdomen radiates there. Relaxing massages can provide relief.
• Proper nutrition: a healthy and balanced light diet helps to reduce period pain. Lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains are good for the body. If the symptoms are particularly severe, it may be useful to avoid animal products such as high-fat meat and milk products. These contain omega-6 fatty acids, which the body uses to form prostaglandins.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, check the treatment and dose with your doctor before taking this medicine. You may only use naproxen during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy after consulting your doctor. Do not take Naproxen axicur® if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy, as this could harm your unborn child or cause complications during delivery. (See patient information leaflet.)

Naproxen axicur^® must not be used for longer than stated in the package leaflet without medical advice.

If you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 4 days of pain, talk to your doctor.

Painkillers should not be consumed with alcoholic beverages due to the increased side effects.

Naproxen must not be combined with other painkillers.

If you want to take painkillers at the same time as food supplements, it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist first. The latter can tell you if there may be an interaction in the specific case.

Naproxen 250 mg axicur^® can be purchased without a prescription and is exclusively available in pharmacies.

The shelf life of the painkillers is printed on the package. Do not take Naproxen axicur^® 250 mg after the expiry date.

If you wish to dispose of medicines, you can check with the pharmacy – they often take expired medicines. If this is not possible, dispose of the medicines yourself in a knotted plastic bag in your waste bin. Packaging materials such as folding boxes or instructions for use can be disposed of as waste paper. Never dispose of medicines down the drain or toilet, as they will pollute groundwater and the environment.