How Do I Stop Menstrual Cramps?

I’ve been on birth control for almost a year as a way to stop menstrual cramps. The first pill I took didn’t really stop cramps, but just threw off my menstrual cycle. The cramps were at least as bad, and started before the bleeding.
Then, I’ve been on another birth control pill for about 9 months, it used to work great, maybe too great–some months I wouldn’t even get my period. I wasn’t trying to stop my period, just the cramps.
However, that pill stopped working. A couple of weeks ago, I started getting cramps with a brown discharge that lasted about a week. That was followed by heavier bleeding like an actual menstrual period, and the cramps continued. Then, the bleeding stopped, only to come back a few days later. My period used to come once a month, not leave and come back after a few days.
Thus, since the pills medical professionals prescribed me were problematic, I’ve been doing my own research. Various people are saying that bananas are helpful due to the potassium and Vitimin K. I love bananas (as you can probably guess by the image at the top of my blog), but I’ve never thought to use them for menstrual pain relief before. However, I’ll start eating bananas each day and see if this helps.
I also read that Alive helps because it contains naproxin. Ibuprofin (such a Motrin ID) can also help, but it also causes drowsiness and I’ve been advised against taking it due to really strong long term side effects. I also find it only works if I take it in high dosage, which makes the side effects worse. However, many medications could have side effects, so I haven’t ruled out  ibuprofin.
I’ve also been reading about various herbal remedies and accupuncture.
I’ve tried the heat packs and those didn’t work for me, but I read that we should use them when we’re sleeping over night, which I didn’t do before.  I just used them when I was awake. Thus, I could try using them while I’m sleeping.
I also read about some specfic birth control pills that are supposed to stop cramping, which weren’t the pills I was prescribed. That’s discouraging since I told the medical professionals I wanted the pills specifically to stop menstrual cramps.
I also exercise, which helps. I usually do an hour long exercise class a day or hike for at least an hour. However, as much as I love exercise, I can’t do it all day long. I have other stuff to do, like blogging here.
I’d really appreciate any suggestions anybody could provide.