1.Stretch - Doing some light exercise, either just before your period or for the first few days, will improve blood flow to the pelvic area. Yoga and Pilates exercises can reduce period pains by streching and strenghtening the pelvic muscles and ligaments that protect the ovaries and womb. Poor posture increases the chances of the womb contracting, which is what causes painful cramps.

2.Pop The Right Pills - Research shows that gamma linolenic acid (GLA), found in evening primrose oil and startflower oil, helps maintain hormone balance, alongside vitamin B6. Take a multivitamin to help the body absorb any other supplements.

3.Eat Between Meals - Snack every three hours on a protein/carbohydrate combo, like wholemeal bread with houmous of nuts, to keep blood sugars and hormones balanced, so the womb linning is thinner and less painful. Cut out sugary foods and salt in the week before your period to reduce water retension.

4.Detox Yourself - Smoking and drinking can also make cramps worse. Smoking increases period pain by reducing oxygen supply to the pelvic area, while alcohol makes it last longer. Stick to three to five units a week, particularly in the lead-up to your period, and try to give up cigarettes. Swap coffee and tea for green tea and fruit tea, as they're high in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and thickness of the womb lining, therefore lowering pain levels.

5. Don't Be A Martyr - Use period-specific painkillers, which combine paracetamol and codeine, as soon as your period starts. If the pain persists, see your doctor. The Pill or Mirena intrauterine system (a type of coil) can ease discomfort and make periods lighter.