Over The Counter Pain Relief & Fibroids

There are often lots of different options for pain relief you can buy in the supermarket or from a chemist, and knowing which one is the best option can be confusing. We are here to help explain what works best, and what is what.

Not All Pain Relief Works The Same

There are many different types of pain relief, and they don't work in the same way. Some medicines target the pain pathways and the brain, others work by targeting the chemicals (called prostaglandins) that are causing the pain. It is important to understand the difference so you can choose the type that will be most effective.

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is one of the commonest and cheapest painkillers available that can be bought in supermarkets and chemists without prescription. 

Paracetamol works by targeting the pain 'pathways' to the brain, trying to block those pain signals.

It can be taken as well as ibuprofen and can be an effective addition to other options, has very little side effects and can be safe in pregnancy.

Ibuprofen & the group called NSAIDs

Ibuprofen works different to paracetamol and is more effective for fibroids and period cramps because of how it works.

Ibuprofen works by trying to reduce inflammation and lower the what we called prostaglandins, the chemicals involved that cause the period pains. Ibuprofen targets these more specifically and so is the better option out of the two.

Ibuprofen is part of a group of pain relief medicines doctors call 'NSAIDs' (Non Steroidal Anti inflammatory drugs) which all work through the same mechanism of lowering the pain-causing prostaglandins.

There are stronger versions to ibuprofen that you can buy from the chemist without a prescription, the ones behind the counter such as cuprofen or Feminax. If taking the stronger ones these are instead of ibuprofen, not as well as.

These medicines can cause reflux or indigestion so always take with food. It is also important to know that they are not safe in pregnancy.

CBD

There are a growing number of CBD-based options available on the high street. The evidence is beginning to emerge to show these can be effective for period cramps. They work by reducing the inflammation and relaxing the muscles so easing the cramps and reducing the pain signals.

Medical disclaimer - This information is for education only and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. Heavy bleeding, long periods, bleeding in between periods, or non-stop bleeding should always be checked by a GP or healthcare professional. They can arrange scans or tests to find the cause and discuss the right treatment options for you.

Author, Dr Liz Murray June 2026

References:

• Murray, L. Not Just Painful Periods, 2026, Octopus Publishing
• NICE Guidelines Online, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, April 2023, Health Topics A to Z > Fibroids, https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/fibroids/ (Accessed online, 2026)
• BNF, https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/linzagolix/ (accessed online, 2026)
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Dysmenorrhoea: ClinicalKnowledge Summary 2014
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Heavy menstrual bleeding:assessment and management
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949838423000452