Drug to end women's period pains

A British team has developed the drug called VA111913, which prevents period pains women experience — it tackles the cause of stomach cramps which leave many bed ridden, rather than just the symptoms. Period pain is caused by contractions in the womb. The drug works by bringing the hormone vasopressin, which controls muscles that contract in uterus wall, down to normal levels.

“Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) affects a large number of women...I think it would be fair to call it a breakthrough, there is certainly no other treatment like it. From our research there is nothing to suggest it won’t work,” the ‘Daily Mail’ quoted Dr Jim Phillips of Vantia Therapeutics, the Southampton-based company, as saying. If the secondary trials are successful it could be available within four years, the scientists said.