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Recently, doctors found that menstrual cramps are almost as painful as heart attacks. Dysmenorrhoea, another name for menstrual cramps (period pain), constitutes one of the leading reasons young women (less than 30 years) miss work, school and other activities.
So if you're part of the 20% of women with messy and painful period cramps, it is certain you have searched for a remedy. Well, you're in luck today. In this article, we'll discuss a few ways to effectively deal with aunty flow's baggage.
You can ease period cramps using pharmacological methods, that is with meds. But if you're not a fan of baseball-sized painkillers, there are also home and natural remedies that work.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary OTC painkillers recommended for period cramps and heavy bleeding. These meds include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
The action of these NSAIDs lowers the production of prostaglandin. Although they are not as effective as oral contraception at lowering prostaglandin levels, they help reduce pain.
Prostaglandins stimulate the contraction of uterine muscles, the sole cause of menstrual cramps.
"The uterus is a muscle, so anything that helps relax muscles, like applying heat, can be beneficial," Thielen says. Some reviews say that using a hot compress is as effective as taking NSAIDs.
Hot compress involves applying heat topically, over the abdomen or lower back. If you don't have a hot water bottle or heating pad, you can massage with a hot towel or take a hot bath.
On the other hand, you can create your heating pad:
Getting your diet right when expecting your period involves avoiding some foods and holding on to others.
Eating vitamin and mineral-packed diets is another way to ease period pain.
Some evidence shows that Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and magnesium help reduce period cramps. And you can easily get these two vitamins and minerals through a healthy diet. Foods rich in thiamin and magnesium include:
As much as there are foods you should eat, there are some you need to let go of. During your period, it's best to avoid foods that cause water retention and bloating.
Cutting out these foods or reducing intake can help reduce period cramps:
In place of these foods, try mint and caffeine-free teas. If you crave something sweet, go for fruits like strawberries.
In contrast to the idea of 'resting' and 'relaxing' when in pain, physical activity is a natural pain reliever. It stimulates the release of endorphins ~ hormones that help block pain perception. A vaginal orgasm is also a good way to stimulate these happy hormones.
Reducing stress is another method you can adopt to relieve period cramps. In addition to exercises, there are other steps you can take to reduce stress, including:
Massage therapy with essential oils is very beneficial for period cramps. It involves pressing specific points in the abdomen, lower back and sides.
A study in 2018 showed that massage therapy can relieve menstrual pain. Some of these essential oils that may help include:
To use these oils, you can dilute them in carrier oils like coconut, vegetable, almond, olive, or avocado oil.
A safe concentration is one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
Some herbal remedies contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that reduce the contraction of the uterine wall, which causes period cramps.
Some of these herbal additives like, Chamomile and peppermint teas are calming to the body and help reduce period cramps. Other teas that help with dysmenorrhea are those made from ginger, cinnamon, dill or fennel.
Having a menstrual cramp is a painful experience, but these methods are reliable ways to help you ease period cramps. However, before starting with any of these methods, especially the OTC meds, it is best to check with your healthcare provider.
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