I don't typically have bad cramps, but, when I have them, Midol is the last thing I take...it does nothing for me...someone told me it actually has caffeine in it, so it didn't surprise me that it felt like it made it worse! Maybe they're incorrect about it having having caffeine, but, I know it personally didn't work for me. You have gotten a lot of great suggestions, too, I hope you can find something that works for you.