Changes in diet can alleviate cramps. Take essential fatty acids such as flaxseed, borage and black currant seed oil. Oil of evening primrose is also good. The usual dose is four to six 500 mg capsules per day in divided doses. Stop drinking ice water and eating cold foods since according to Chinese medicine a lot of menstrual cramps are from blocked liver chi, an energy in the body.
Acupuncture works great and so do many Chinese herbs.
I'm not adverse to taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Advil, Motrin or Anaprox at the onset of a period or before pain starts. Symptoms can be reduced or eliminated by lifestyle changes and, if necessary, natural progesterone. In my practice, I've found that exercise removes symptoms of PMS for many women. Most women only need 40 minutes of exercise twice a week, according to studies conducted by the Tufts School of Nutrition, to gain real benefits. Other lifestyle changes that help are slowing down a little premenstrually, following a vegetarian diet, stopping caffeine, and reducing white sugar.