So how do you get rid of cramps? The quickest and easiest way is to pop an over-the-counter pain reliever. Rather than reach for Tylenol, choose NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin) and naproxen (Aleve) relieve menstrual cramps on two fronts: they diminish pain and reduce uterine contractions.

Doctors recommend you start taking the drug as soon as there is any menstrual flow, or even the day before, if possible. Ibuprofen you can take two tablets three times a day. For naproxen, take up to one tablet three times a day. Never take both drugs together.

How about more natural cramp remedies? Everyone knows chamomile tea makes a good bedtime tea because it's calming, but researchers in England have found that drinking tea made with German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) also relieves muscle spasms, which the scientists hypothesize is the reason the tea appears to be helpful in relieving menstrual cramps; it relaxes the uterus. They also found that glycine, another ingredient in the tea, was found to act as a nerve relaxant, meaning it works as a pain reliever.

Dong Quai, derived from the root of the Chinese Angelica sinensis, has been used in Asia for thousands of years to heal the female reproductive system and get rid of cramps. Drinking tea made from this plant is said to promote uterine health and regulate the menstrual cycle.

Some researchers contend that its active ingredients, called coumarins, dilate blood vessels and relax the muscles of the uterus, which would help to explain the herb's traditional use for relieving menstrual cramps.

Yogi Tea's Moon Cycle formula includes Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) as well as Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex agnus -- castus), which according to recent clinical research is effective in reducing symptoms of PMS. To calm hormonal influences and purify the skin and blood, Yogi Tea added Organic Raspberry Leaf, recognized by German Commission E for menstrual respite. Juniper Berry and Organic Parsley Leaf ease water retention and promote mineral and hormonal steadiness.

Foods high in magnesium are always essential, but can be particularly beneficial for getting rid of cramps. Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, founder and medical director of the UltraWellness Center, notes that depleted levels of magnesium can contribute to period cramp pains.

"Think of magnesium as the relaxation mineral," he says. "Anything that is tight, irritable, crampy and stiff -- whether it is a body part or an even a mood -- is a sign of magnesium deficiency."

High-magnesium foods include dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, beans, whole grains, avocados, yogurt, bananas, dried fruit and dark chocolate. Aim for about 300 milligrams a day. Buh-bye cramps, hello relaxed muscles.

How do you get rid of cramps naturally? The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) advocate acupuncture for the relief of menstrual cramps.

One study, published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology, evaluated acupuncture on women who couldn't get pain relief from ibuprofen or other over-the-counter medications. They found that acupuncture provided significant pain reduction without any of the negative side effects associated with taking drugs, such as intestinal sensitivity.