What about Aleve?

On my Tylenol vs Advil blog, I did not directly mention naproxen, better known by a trade name, Aleve. Do I have that in the first aid kit? Yes.

How is naproxen(Aleve) different than ibuprofen (Advil)?
Let's start with how they are the SAME. Both are classified as "NSAIDs", which means Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug. So both naproxen and ibuprofen can be used to decrease swelling and inflammation, and both will lower elevated body temperatures (fevers). The product insert explains that naproxen is indicated for the relief of pain and fever, including headaches, toothaches, muscle and back aches, arthritis pains and menstrual cramps.  Naproxen lasts longer than ibuprofen, so you only need to take it twice per day (every 12 hours) rather than ibuprofen's recommended 6-8 hours.

A quick perusal of the current medical literature does not reveal any shocking data between ibuprofen and naproxen- both have similar effectiveness in pain relief and in side effect profiles. That being said, in my clinical practice I have traditionally used naproxen as my NSAID of choice for menstrual cramps, especially when there is heavy bleeding along with the cramps. Physicians often use prescription strength* doses of naproxen twice daily for the week before menses, then go to as needed use of naproxen the week of menses. This frequently decreases the amount of menstrual bleeding and improves the cramps associated with periods. Could this be done with ibuprofen too? Yes, but since this is scheduled usage, it's nice to use a medication that is only twice per day versus three times.

All NSAIDs can potentially irritate the stomach lining and/or your kidneys, and they may cause fluid retention (do they make your rings feel tight?) In my clinical experience, though not supported by any recent evidence-based studies that I can find, the shorter acting NSAID ibuprofen often helps more with acute pain (especially injuries) than the longer acting naproxen, but this is really a personal preference.

BOTTOM LINE: Add "Aleve" (naproxen) to your first aid kit, and consider this a first choice for menstrual cramps. Figure out for yourself which type of NSAID (ibuprofen vs naprosyn) seems to work best for your other aches and pains, and talk with your doctor to be sure which one is right for you.

Just for the Women- Period.

Okay, today I want to talk about periods- menstruation- so this is for the women. Periods, like bowel movement patterns, are unique to each individual. In the textbooks, periods occur every 28 days, and last for a week. In reality, there is more variation. When an adolescent starts having periods, they are often very unpredictable for the first six months to a year. At that point, most young women establish a pattern that they can recognize and therefore predict when their next period should arrive. Some may be as short as 21 days, others beyond 30, but what is important is recognizing what your pattern is. Consider the modern calendar- a period tracker app- for your phone to figure out your cycle.

Are terrible cramps okay? Well, no- absolutely not! First of all, we have several medicines that might help, from ibuprofen and its cousins to using the contraceptive pill to help decrease the amount of cramping and blood loss. Additionally, for women who have pain outside the range of "normal", we begin to be concerned about endometriosis, a condition where extra tissue that belongs inside the uterus may have migrated outside of the uterus into the pelvis, and be stuck on the intestines or fallopian tubes, causing pain especially at ovulation (mid-cycle.)

Please do not suffer in silence! If you have "terrible periods" that make you miss school, work or fun stuff, make an appointment with your doctor! There are many ways your doctor can minimize your pain and help your life to NOT revolve around your menstrual cycle. Additionally, if it's PMS symptoms that drive you nuts (bloating, headaches, mood swings, and breast tenderness), there are simple behavioral modifications like quitting caffeine, increasing your calcium intake and increasing aerobic exercise that will help.

BOTTOM LINE: TALK to your doctor if you have questions about your period, and know we have many more answers beyond Midol or "the Pill".