Birth Control For Cramps

I'm 22 and thinking about getting on birth control. When on my period, I get really bad cramps in my pelvic area, lower back and thighs, I just wanna cry. Sometimes it prevents me from being able to focus throughout the day or even get out of bed. I've gotten a birth control shot once when I was 19 but never got it again (I prefer to not get the shots). So I just wanted to know if i get BC pills, do they stop the period all together or just help ease the cramping?