Okay ladies, I have been having periods for almost a decade and I have never used a heating pad for cramps. I am on my first natural af afyer coming off of birth control. It was a 42 day cycle and no bc to ease syptoms so it is quite a bit worse than I was expecting. I finally decided to try a heating pad, and it has been so helpful! Seriously, if you have never tried it you should. While we are on the subject, af sucks! I'm glad she finally came, but she could be a little nicer during her visit.