I'm a guy so I don't know what am I doing here but I have talked with girls about their cramps too (don't ask me how it started) but rather than dealing with the pain on the spot, they told me over time they have discovered that pain has a lot to do what they do recently.

for instance, a friend says she should gym (as she goes very often doing cardio sessions) around the period season because it would aggravate the pain it comes.

another says she should refrain from anything spicy / cold to eat before the period cramp because that'd aggravate the pain too

hot water pack is a good thing to reduce the pain too