If you have painful periods, you probably dread the "time of the month" when the symptoms start all over again. However, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make which should help:

• When the pain is bad, rest as much as possible and hold a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel, against your tummy or place it in the small of your back.

• Stress and anxiety can make the pain worse so you could try some relaxation techniques. Don't worry about all the things you feel you should be doing; allow yourself time to recover.

• Watching your weight and taking regular exercise may help. Aim for two or three 30-minute workouts a week, swimming, cycling or brisk walking; whatever appeals to you most. This will improve your joints and circulation, and may help your body to cope with the blood loss during periods.

• Painful periods are more common and severe for smokers. This, along with all the other health benefits of being a non-smoker, is a great reason to give up smoking.

• Avoid alcohol if your period is due, as it can make the pain worse.

• If you have an IUD (intrauterine device) this may be aggravating the pain. Modern IUSs (intrauterine systems), such as the Mirena coil, release hormones that reduce dysmenorrhea. Consider having one of these fitted as an alternative or trying a different form of contraception altogether (PRODIGY 2006).