I thought this thread might have potential to turn into another Mooncups! thread (from the days of C+ I think)....
FWIW I find that my pain is a lot better than it used to be, which I put down to (a) being a lot fitter, (b) yoga - particularly doing any of the 'supine' back bends with a block supporting the lower back - and (c) - bit of a pet theory this - drinking more water.
I am sure that period pain is due to dehydration, after a horrible experience involving 24 hours of travelling, not drinking anything much and having the most horrendous cramps wake me up in the middle of the night. Mr M was slightly concerned as I necked four paracetamol (which didn't touch it) and lay on the floor in a foetal position moaning in pain! I never used to drink enough at school either, and my pains were bad when I was a teenager.
As far as cycling goes, I feel OK once I get going. Sanitary products are a bit uncomfortable, it has to be said...I have a mooncup but that thing is HUGE....The main problem I have (TMI ALERT) is that my 'flow' is very uneven, so I can have a day with not a lot happening and another day with not much and then tonnes all at once, and yet another day that looks like the chainsaw massacre has gone through.
Menstruation, I dunno, it's not a very good design, is it?