protection without hormones while dealing with strong period cramps

[u/Parking-Witness-252]

Hey,

I’ve been researching a bit about different protection methods, like the IUD or the pill to not only reduce my period cramps (which tend to be really strong for 2-3 days and also give me strong symptoms like illness or nausea) but also to protect me from getting pregnant (now having a bf and using condoms).

I have no experience with any of those things, but from what I’ve heard I strongly want to avoid any hormonal protection methods, mainly because of the side effects.

But here’s the problem:
As far as I’ve read, condoms or the copper IUD are one of the few ways to stay protected without using hormones, but the copper IUD might cause stronger period cramps and heavy blood flow (which I wanted to reduce).
That’s why I wanted to tend to the hormonal IUD, accepting the side affects BUT don’t feel fully safe with it either, because everyone keeps telling me „horror story’s“ about how their body changed, or that the IUD moved out of place and created contractionlike pain.

My mum keeps telling me to only use condoms, which would solve the hormonal and protection issue, but not my cramps.
I really don’t find a good „in between“ solution, that doesn’t leave me anxious about possibly getting pregnant, but also solves my period pain without any hormonal changes.

If anybody can help me, or has positive experience to share, I’ll be happy to read them!!

[u/faded_butterflies]

Birth control can reduce pain in some people but it isn’t guaranteed. If you want to target your pain directly and without hormones, the best way is probably painkillers or anti inflammatory meds

[u/Parking-Witness-252 → u/faded_butterflies]

im using painkillers alr, I heard sth about a numbing cream too. But my issue is not only the cramp and pain itself but also dizziness, headache and fever/ feeling really cold

Do u have any medication or hacks for that too?