The pill that could end period pains

It's the answer to every woman's dream - a drug that can cure the cause of period pains

Nine out of ten women have admitted it causes them misery every month. But now scientists claim they may have discovered a cure for agonising period pains.

According to medics, the secret to the drug's success is attacking the actual cause of stomach cramps during menstruation, rather than just the symptoms.

Dr Jim Phillips, of Vantia Therapeutics, the Southampton based company behind the discovery, says: ‘Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) affects a large number of women and there is currently no targeted therapy to treat the condition

‘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 pill works by reducing the level of the hormone vasopressin, which controls the muscles that contract in the uterus wall.

The drug is about to go through a second round of trials, but has already proven to be safe and with very few side-effects.

‘We believe this could offer an effective alternative to the over-the-counter painkillers,' says Dr Phillips.

If successful, the treatment could create millions of pounds in revenue. Dr Phillips adds: ‘We won't get any revenue form it for a least five years, but we could be looking for commercialisation partnerships that would be worth tens of millions of dollars in the U.S.'

News of whether the drug passes its second round of trials will be known by the middle of next year.

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