A major study analyzing supermarket till receipts has suggested that many women may not be using the most effective pain relief for period cramps.
A decade’s worth of loyalty card data from 211 million transactions at an unnamed chain of high street stores in England revealed that paracetamol was the most frequently purchased painkiller alongside tampons and sanitary pads.
However, experts indicate that ibuprofen could be a superior option for many individuals, as it is more effective in alleviating muscle cramps.
The transactions shed light on the "scale and impact" of menstrual pain and the ways people manage it—a topic that has previously received limited research attention, according to the study authors.
They suggest that paracetamol might be more familiar to people, which could account for its higher purchase rate.
Although paracetamol is an effective painkiller, ibuprofen may be a better choice for period pain because it inhibits the production of prostaglandins—the chemical responsible for triggering the cramping contractions of the uterine muscles.
In contrast, paracetamol primarily works in the brain to block pain signals, making it effective for headaches. It also helps reduce fever, so it can be useful for conditions like the flu.
Researchers examined purchases from 3.4 million shoppers between 2006 and 2015.
Half of all menstrual product transactions also included a pain relief product, according to the study published in the journal PLoS Digital Health.
Among those painkillers, roughly two-thirds were paracetamol-based, while the remaining third were ibuprofen.
Co-researcher Dr. Anya Skatova from Bristol University emphasized that the data provides more of a snapshot rather than a fully representative picture for the entire nation. Nevertheless, it offers some clues about what women are buying for period pain relief.
In most cases, cramping is a normal part of the menstrual cycle, occurring when the uterine muscle contracts to help shed its lining during a period.
During this time, the body produces hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, but elevated levels have been linked to more severe menstrual cramps.
Investigator Professor James Goulding from Nottingham University noted that there is a significant public health education opportunity here and highlighted the lack of research into period pain relief.
"I don't think I'm going out on a limb here by saying that if men got period pain, we'd know a lot more about it by now," he told BBC News.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces swelling and eases pain, while also lowering prostaglandin levels. Paracetamol lacks these anti-inflammatory properties.
The charity Endometriosis UK advises that it is best to start taking ibuprofen the day before, or several days before, a period or pain is anticipated—before the body produces prostaglandins.
If you experience severe period pain that prevents you from carrying out daily activities or causes concern, the NHS recommends speaking to your doctor.
This is because such pain could indicate an underlying health issue, such as endometriosis or fibroids.
Like all medications, pain relief tablets can cause side effects. Ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone. Always check the product information inside packs before taking any medication.