Mefenamic acid for Period Pain User Reviews

• Mum...
• September 4, 2016

"Like so many others, I've had all the severe symptoms of endometriosis without actually having endometriosis. No form of contraception works, and I've tried the lot. I'm now 36 and am going in next month for endometrial ablation. My gynecologist put me on Ponstel and another acid, but it has not helped. Also, I have horrible abdominal pain and bloating which keeps me up all night. I've had to stop taking it and need strong painkillers to cope. Forget going to work. Has anyone else had these problems? I'd love to know if these symptoms are more common than we know. Good luck, girls!"

• Sev...
• July 2, 2021

"I keep getting prescribed this, and I do not know why. It does absolutely nothing for period pain at all. I take it with paracetamol, as told by my doctor, no relief. I end up on the floor in a ball, crying, hoping it stops. I'm hopeful they come up with a medication that works, but so far, no luck."

• emr...
• May 6, 2014

"I started this medication 'Mefenamic/Ponstan' over 3 months ago and only use it when I am on my period. I have severe cramps and intense pain, especially the first day of my period, and have tried all kinds of medications to try to counter the pain. The pain would be quite intense and leave me practically unable to carry on with my daily routine, instead, I would lie around, rolling around in bed, withering in pain. I switched doctors, and she recommended this to me. I only take it once, the same day I get my period when I feel the pain escalating, the pill kicks in within 30 minutes, and I was amazed at the effects. With no side effects to report, I have to say it has been a lifesaver! No other pill has worked for me the way this pill has."

• Mir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 14, 2021

"I have taken Ponstan since my teens, as I suffer from severe period pain, to the point of collapse at times. Ponstan has been a savior to me, but you have to know how to make it work. I know beforehand when it is going to be an excruciating period, as I get cramps days prior. The remedy for me is to start taking a once-a-day dose of 500 mg on those days leading up to my period and then multiple daily doses when the actual painful period is happening. You must take Ponstan at the first sign of pain, or like me today, if you hold off and take it later when the pain and cramping increases, I find that the cramping will escalate and the Ponstan will take longer to work. My current pain level is a 10 because I ignored my own advice and held off - my bad! Please give Ponstan a go and play around with it, so you too can find what works for you, as Ponstan is brilliant and it does work!"

• Rem...
• July 14, 2016

"I've had debilitating period cramps ever since I got my first period (I was 12 then.) I'd break out in a cold sweat, start getting dizzy, and shake uncontrollably. On top of that, my legs would hurt like hell, and it would feel as if someone was punching my womb from the inside out. My mother (a doctor who never had such cramps herself) has been giving it to me ever since. I'm twenty-four now, and always knock back a Ponstan with a cup of regular tea when I start getting the familiar cramps. At best, it kicks in within fifteen minutes; at worst, it takes about an hour. Eating toast or anything warm with the tea makes the pill work faster; taking it without eating anything first has given me stomach troubles and also somewhat reduces the effect."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2015

"I've taken this for the first time today. I was prescribed it after very painful periods and advised to take it when I have pain for as many days as I need (the first day being so bad I am crying in pain and having time off work). I started to get period cramps today, took 1 dose, and within an hour had no pain at all. I usually have vomiting and diarrhea on the first day, but this has disappeared as well. It has also made my period so much lighter. Best medication I have had for period pain."

• Nic...
• December 20, 2014

"I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and during my periods, I can literally only lie on the floor screaming without these tablets. They're amazing. I do have to take codeine as well for maximum pain control, but this is what takes 3/4 of the pain away."

• Kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2020

"I have been taking Mefenamic Acid 500 mg tablets for over 2 years now. I suffer with heavy, painful periods and have done so for many years. I take this medication when my period begins and throughout the days of my period. I also take paracetamol alongside it. It has made a massive difference in my life! It has reduced bleeding and helped with pain, but I do need paracetamol in addition, as it won't help with the pain if I take it alone. Just recently, it hasn't been as effective, meaning my bleeding appears to have increased, so I'm now looking at alternatives. However, all in all, it has been extremely helpful for me over the past couple of years. The side effects can be horrendous! If you don't eat just before taking this. I have used this on an empty stomach and really suffered with severe back pain, really crippling pain. This doesn't happen if I follow the correct guidelines and take it on a full stomach."

• Red...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 10, 2019

"I think it works in up to your twenties age. But if you have been using it long-term, it doesn't help and ends up with more stomach problems, more severe pains. Please stop using it. It makes your pain increase month by month slowly. I feel like it is just a slow poison."

• Jes...
• May 20, 2016

"Mefenamic acid is a game changer. I used to vomit, have diarrhea, feel lightheaded, dizzy, pass out, and just be in horrific pain. Since I've started taking mefenamic acid, I've been able to actually do things during my period. However, it doesn't take away all of my pain and nausea, it's, however, allowed me to get a week of my life back each month."

• ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2020

"I have horrible period cramps. I took two capsules, and then after six hours, I took one and continued to do that for two days. This did nothing for my cramps. They still feel like someone is murdering my vagina. It’s ridiculous and overall made me feel worse."

• Tur...
• May 2, 2015

"I was prescribed mefenamic acid for menstrual pain, took it as directed... and it did absolutely nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. I might as well have taken a sugar pill. I was actually shocked to see that so many people love it so much, because I had been under the impression it was complete garbage. Judging by the other reviews I've seen, it's worth a try. But be aware there is a chance it won't do anything."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2020

"My period cramps are debilitating to the point of vomiting, chills, nausea, and dizziness. I started taking mefenamic acid about a year or two ago, beginning on the first day of my period; two in the morning, two in the afternoon, two at night. I take them for 3-4 days. They were truly the solution for me! All pain was gone, which meant no vomiting or nausea, and I never had any side effects from the medication. However, the past 5-6 months, I've been experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, and pain on my first day of my period, sometimes lasting into the second day. This is not a result of the pills, as it happens before I take them, BUT the pills haven't been working as well to ease the pain or these symptoms, even if taken on time. My cramps used to disappear when I took these pills; now, they remain a dull ache or sometimes cramps totally unaffected by the pill. Odd. Overall, I've had a very pleasant experience with this medication - just seems my body has been doing its own thing lately."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2013

"I have only started using this medication, which I have been prescribed by my GP, and it relieved me of most symptoms. I experienced most symptoms of painful periods, ranging from vomiting to very severe cramps. This medicine worked within about 10-20 minutes, however, some cramps can still be felt, but very minor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 8, 2012

Ponstel (mefenamic acid) "As a 17-year-old, I have taken these pills sparingly during the beginning of my most painful cycles. Depending on the severity of the pain, the medicine can take from 15 minutes to an hour to take effect (the longer time for the more painful cycles). Also, severe cramps may still be felt when the medicine is in full swing, although it feels like a minor cramp."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2012

Ponstel (mefenamic acid) "I have endometriosis, and I have been suffering from serious period pain since I was 11 when I started having my period. I have been on a list of birth control pills that have not worked properly with my body. I asked about Ponstel after I had my surgery, and he prescribed it right away. I have pain in between and during my period (so basically all the time), so he said to take it as needed. It only takes a few pills, and I will feel absolutely wonderful, like I'm living on a cloud when it kicks in. I don't think it takes more than 20 minutes for it to start working."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

"The first day of my period I would get severe cramps. I would vomit and also not be able to eat a single thing. I would just sit in my bed in severe severe pain I felt like i was being stabbed over and over again. I would also get diarrhoea .Then my GP recommend this medication and the only thing it helped with is my nausea. But the problem was I didn't care about that I just cared about is my period cramps not hurting as much. To be honest this pill made my period cramps even WORSE. I don't know how that was possible. I felt like I was in labour and being stabbed at the same time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2019

"I have found that I have to take this as soon as I feel any twinges for it to work and I take codeine at the same time. It massively reduced blood flow and made the cramps bearable. This month I am back to being shaky, nauseous and sweating. But I have anxiety and depression and both these things exaggerate pain hugely. Relaxation is a big key to better periods!"

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2008

Ponstel (mefenamic acid) "Ponstel was prescribed for severe period pain due to fibroids and ovarian cysts. It was very effective, and I would definitely recommend it! But just a cautionary note, this is a costly medication! I had to pay the highest copay on my prescription insurance. Get samples from your doctor if at all possible!"

• Ash...
• July 4, 2016

"I first had my period when I was 10 and never had a month go by where I don't get dysmenorrhea, a really painful, I'm-almost-dying kind of pain. I've been taking it every time I get my period and it has always worked. I'm 23 now, and it still works for me, I've never used anything else."

• Mee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2016

"I was prescribed this a year ago for endometriosis. It was for pain and heavy flow. For pain, I found them ineffective, and just as the comment below me says, I found myself getting far more cramping. So it seems to make the pain worse for me. However, I still take this on really bad months. It has helped the heaviness. I was originally prescribed that when I had a period going for over 2 months, and when I took it for less than a week, my period stopped. So if I ever get periods that refuse to go away, I resort back to this. It seems to have mixed reviews. I have also tried Naproxen, this works better for pain but does nothing for the heaviness. But really helps with cramping."

• Pon...
• June 16, 2018

"This medication is very risky to take. Just research the side effects. Even if you have never had high blood pressure. It can cause this to occur. The risk of stroke or heart attack is increased by taking mefenamic acid. I was recommended this medication by my GP for heavy periods. I took this medication as directed - with food, three times a day for two days and I can honestly say that it the worst thing for me. Not only did it not work, it elevated my blood pressure, and caused dizziness and terrible headaches. I am an ultra fit person, so feeling this way was highly unusual. Every ones physical makeup is different, so its important to listen to your body. However, I would certainly think twice before taking this medication. Ponstan was bad for my body and not worth the risk. I refuse to even rate it."

• Ain...
• June 26, 2016

"I take mefenamic acid for endometriosis. I have to say it has helped me greatly. I definitely notice if I don't take it. It's an anti-inflammatory, so I take it every day. You need to build it up in your system, it doesn't work as instant pain relief. So if you take it for your period, you need to start taking it the week before. It is in the same family as ibuprofen, so it can upset your stomach. Make sure to take it with food, and if you are going to be on it for a long time, take something to protect your stomach. I can't say it helped with the heaviness, but the pain definitely."

• Jan...
• March 30, 2011

Ponstel (mefenamic acid) "I, too, have experienced such extreme menstrual pain. This has been going on since I was 14 (1979). I actually have a very high pain level tolerance and rarely use any medications for pain, with the exception of my dysmenorrhea. (I didn't even use pain medicines when I had surgery on my elbow to repair tendons on each side and to move my ulnar nerve.) I have been taking Ponstel since 1999 and have found it is the ONLY medication so far to relieve my pain during menstruation. I do take it more often than others have listed before me. I am prescribed 2 caps at the onset of pain and 1 cap every 5-6 hrs until all symptoms have ended (usually 4 days). It takes 45 mins to work on me. (Also prescribed for my occasional migraines.)"

• Mav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2018

"This pills were recomended to me yesterday at the pharmacy and I was reluctant to buy them but all I can say now is thank you. Thanks you... I am 40 and had still been crying when I had my periods as they are traumatic! And of all the pills that I have used in the past they have not been helping but today my crampings are NO MORE!!!, Mefenamic Acid is the best.."