cramps are most often caused by too low progesterone (and/or estrogen dominance) according to my ND and MD. Mine went away when I started pregnenolone (capsules, non prescription) to up my progesterone and also progesterone cream (mine is a compounded Rx but you can buy it over the counter as well I hear).

My daughter (22 at the time), niece and two girlfriends took pregnenolone to up their progesterone and were quite successful, they didn't need to use progesterone.
Pregnenolone converts primarily to progesterone in women. Most of them also did a clean diet and some other supplements to that likely helped them restore their ability to make more of their own progesterone. Most all women these days in this toxic, xeno-estrogen world of ours have low progesterone (and or estrogen dominance). Some people say that diet alone (and sun and sleep and limiting exposure to toxins) will cure this issue.... depends how quickly you want it fixed.
Progesterone cream has worked for me immediately several times when I have had debilitating cramps and Ive tried it before taking ibuprofen.

Best of luck

ibuprofen, switching to a diva cup and heat all help me.

but not enough that I'll give up my HBC (My cramps are so severe without it that I have been known to vomit from pain)

I have used valerian root for cramps in the past and it works.

fish oil supplement helps. as does brandy, an old family remedy. ;)

I have major league cramps & endometriosis, and here's what helps me:

1) Laying off the coffee. Caffeine absolutely feeds the spasming. 2) Orgasms. Even when I don't feel like it. 3) Plenty of magnesium/potassium. 4) Biofeedback. You can teach your body to relax certain muscles. If you can learn to tighten and release, you can learn to tell a contracted muscle to let go. I had a great pelvic pain physical therapist help me learn this. 5) Pilates. Same idea as number 4. I think it was increasing body awareness and learning to turn muscles off and on. 6) Skipping periods via hormonal BC. Not paleo, but neither is whimpering on the couch for a solid week each month. So I ain't judging. 7) Moist heat. I love my hydrocollator pack.

Mine have gotten a LOT better since going paleo, however Advil is my go to for pain.

I use dong quai in the days leading up to my period, and it has really helped me. I was on the pill 16 years, and I would say it took me a year to sort of balance out and not have such bad cramps. Pot helped me when I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst cramps I'd ever had, felt like I was kicked by a horse.

I have noticed my cramps sharply decreased in severity and duration after I started using a menstrual cup (and my flow is light enough that after the first day, with a small cup, I can get away with only changing it every twelve hours). Honestly, even using cloth menstrual pads instead of disposable or tampons seemed to superficially make me feel better (less tender and ooky). Sort of bizarre, but there you go.

Other suggestions with variable mileage involve recruiting someone for low back massage (orgasm is also great for cramp relief), securing a hot water bottle, or finding a cat willing to curl up on your lap against your abdomen and purr (usually such contrary creatures, I find that mine never turns down lap time if I sit in the recliner).

Ginger root (tincture is an easy way to take it, and add to food) is great for uterine cramps as it directs blood to the pelvic area and specifically tones the female reproductive system.

Others that were mentioned, Valerian and Dong Qui... Valerian is an anti-spasmadic and sedative... this will act as a relaxant of both your muscles and nervous system.

Dong qui is an excellent tonic for the female reproductive system. It helps to rebalance your endocrine system (hormone regulating system) by detoxifying excess estrogen, etc. in the liver.

These would work well together as a formula, as the ginger serves as a catalyst of sorts in formulas.

Hope this helps! :)

When I started supplementing Magnesium my cramps went away. Now my period sneaks up on me. That is not always a good thing :-/

Mine went away with paleo, fish oil, magnesium, exercise. High dose vitamin D is shown to be very effective too.

Pain killers do not take away the cause - i used ibuprofen for years. but dont need to anymore