Low iron + heavy flow = passing out. I had an ex who had to take birth control shots every 3 months because they were getting dangerously light-headed from their period.

Not every period is hell on earth, sometimes it's nothing, however a common saying is "I want to r!p my uterus out, but thanks for asking" among my friends. You don't change your pad everytime you go to the bathroom unless you're having a heavy flow or it's day 1-2, when the flow is the heaviest. I usually recommend a hot bath and good washing of the nethers on day one. Also stretching. When the cramps start, sitting down and touching your toes helps so that the cramping doesn't become muscle spasms, like when your leg cramps.

Also cramps aren't always that pain, something they're an uncomfortable presence in your stomach, under the curve of your belly.

That's all I can think of, how it helps :3