Ginger works as well as ibuprofen-type painkillers for period pain
Mostly trueThe Claim
Ginger is claimed to relieve menstrual cramps as effectively as over-the-counter NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid.
Origin
Several small trials, mostly from Iran, compared ginger powder with NSAIDs for primary dysmenorrhea and reported similar pain relief.
What Science Says
A 2024 meta-analysis found ginger reduced menstrual pain intensity more than placebo (SMD -1.13) and showed no difference versus NSAIDs for pain intensity (SMD 0.01). An earlier meta-analysis of 4 placebo-controlled RCTs supported 750-2,000 mg ginger powder during the first 3-4 days of the cycle. Authors caution that included trials are small with risk of bias, and safety data were infrequently reported.
Verdict
Mostly True