I'm 40 years old, and judging by my older sisters and mother, I likely have another 11-12 years before menopause. Over the last year or two, my menstrual cramps have gotten much worse. I get chills and shakes, aches in my joints, nausea, headache, and massive cramps. I've tried heating pads, lots of fluids, bed rest, Aleve, and other OTC pain relief.