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Many women experience slight or severe cramps before and during their periods. Cramps are quite normal and can be treated.
Sometimes they are not just painful but can also cause exhaustion and hinder your ability to move and perform effectively at work.
With the right kind of medication and right diet choices, you can provide ease to your body from these cramping symptoms.
What causes period cramps?
Most women get cramps during menstruation at some point in their lives. They generally feel like aching throbbing pains in your lower belly.
You can start having these cramps even when you get your first period. They can start a couple of days before your period begins, or continue throughout your period.
Cramps are commonly worse during the first few days of periods when the flow is heaviest. Period cramps can be really uncomfortable and painful, and there is a reason for it.
During menstruation, our uterus contracts which are to help the menstrual blood flow move out of the vagina. This contraction also makes the lining of the uterus come off and leave the body.
Menstrual cramps are quite common and can be painful, uncomfortable, and frustrating, and there are many ways to treat them.
How to Relieve Period Cramps?
There are a few ways to get menstrual Cramp Pain Relief:
Stay Hydrated:
Menstrual cramps are an uncomfortable part of most women every month. Drinking plenty of water can ease bloating, which makes cramping symptoms worse. You can add some mint or lemon slices to make it more pleasant.
Avoid consuming too much salt as it allows fluid retention and bloating. Some women experience diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in addition to menstrual cramps, so make sure to replace lost fluids by drinking a lot of water.
If you don’t like the taste of plain water, you can drink fruit-infused water or take chamomile or ginger tea or make a pitcher of cucumber, mint, or lemon water to drink throughout the day.
You can also make a cup of low sodium broth to upturn fluid intake. Drinking plenty of water is not just good for period cramps; it’s also best for your overall health.
Fennel May Work
According to research done on fennel seeds, many young women who consumed fennel seeds multiple times before the start of their periods experienced lesser cramps and pain.
Ginger To The Rescue
A study shows that ginger relieves symptoms of painful periods. Make ginger tea or use ginger capsules. Using ginger is the best alternative if you are looking for a drug-free substitute for menstrual pain relief.
Fish Oil and Vitamin B1
Researchers studied the effects of vitamin B1 and fish oil on women who experience severe menstrual cramps, and both reported significantly less pain.
Taking over-the-counter medications (OTC):
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main form of pain relief meds suggested for menstrual pain and heavy bleeding. They include ibuprofen and naproxen.
Apply heat:
Applying heat to your lower abdomen and back can help you get rid of the pain. A study found that women who had regular menstrual cycles found a heat patch as effective as ibuprofen. If you don’t have a heating pad or hot water bottle, then take a warm bath.
You can make your own heating pad by sewing together two pieces of thick fabric. Leave a hole at the top. Fill it up with uncooked rice and stitch up the hole. Microwave that sack of rice for a few minutes to the desired temperature. Just make sure you don’t overheat it. Let it cool or wrap it in your towel to reduce heat transfer. You can easily reuse it whenever necessary.
Exercise:
The idea of exercise before or during your period is not very appealing, especially if you experience severe pain during periods, but exercise releases endorphins, the happy hormone. Many studies suggest that exercise is so effective at reducing menstrual pain that it may reduce the need for pain-relief meds.
Moderate activity such as walking can be beneficial as well if you are not in the mood for more vigorous activity. Yoga is also a gentle exercise that releases endorphins and reduces period symptoms.
Chamomile tea:
If you’re looking for the right drink for your period cramp that is both flavorful and healthy, then chamomile tea might be the best choice. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which will further decrease the cramping. Chamomile tea also is very mood-soothing as it has a relaxing impact on the nervous system.
Have an orgasm:
An orgasm is an excellent therapy for menstrual cramps. Just like exercise, having an orgasm releases endorphins and other hormones that release pain and help you feel good.
Period cramps are quite a normal part of having a period, but sometimes women have period cramps that are so painful and uncomfortable that it becomes hard to do daily chores like going to work or school.
Certain foods you should avoid during Periods:
While you are having your periods, it’s a good idea to avoid foods that cause bloating and water retention. These are some of the foods that are you should avoid during periods:
- fatty foods
- alcohol
- carbonated beverages
- caffeine
- salty foods
Cutting out these foods can help lessen cramps and decrease tension. As an alternative, try soothing ginger or mint teas or hot flavored water with lemon. If you are craving sugar, try eating fruits such as strawberries or raspberries.
What if my menstrual pain becomes worse or home interventions do not work?
If your period pain is really severe and medicine doesn’t help, then talk to your doctor as they might be able to help you with other ways to manage the pain. And if necessary, they might check to see if there is something more serious going on. Terrible cramps can be a sign of:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; it’s an infection of reproductive organs.
- Endometriosis; a condition where the lining of your uterus grows outside of your uterus.
- Adenomyosis; it’s a condition when the tissue that lines your uterus grows into the muscle wall of your uterus.
- Uterine fibroids; non-cancerous tumors that grow inside your uterus, in the walls of your uterus, or on the outside of your uterus.
Final thoughts on Menstrual Cramp Pain Relief
If you experience horrible cramps and severe pain that you can’t treat, or other period symptoms that are difficult to deal with, then call your doctor or local Planned Parenthood health center.
-Shameka
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
