that time of the month...

[goldenseal]

So, I'll be in europe for just over a month and I need the ladies' opinion on a couple of things:
First of all, do they have the same products there as they do here (canada)? Or am I better off just bringin my own stuff?

Also, I get bad cramps... like, incapacitated for three to four days type bad... I'm looking into birth control because I've heard it really helps with that, but I just want to know of anybody else's experiences with that type of thing... Side effects, etc. Usually I'd just use prescription meds, but they make me pretty loopy, so I'd rather not.
thanks a lot!