For those who think that women are overdramatic, period pains can be so bad that the doctors have given it a proper medical name, and it is dysmenorrhea. It is a very common condition as more than half of women who have their cycles experience pain from cramps every month. Even though cramps on their own are not a sign of serious health conditions, in some severe cases, they can be a sign of something serious. As period pains can put your life on hold, here are some of the best ways you can kill your menstrual pain.
13 Useful Tips To Kill Menstrual Pain
Try To Drink More Water
Having your stomach bloated can make your period cramps much worse. By drinking water and keeping your body hydrated, you can reduce the bloating which can lead to less painful period cramps. Another thing that you can do is drink hot water as it will increase your blood flow and relax your muscles. It will lessen your cramps if the reason for the pains is uterine contractions.
Apply Heat
Something that most women know is that you should heat your stomach to relieve tension. That is because the heat will help your muscles relax and improve blood flow which makes cramps less painful. You can also try with essential oil. Start by filling your bucket with lukewarm water. Pour a few drops of essential oil of your choice in it. For more details, you can look at this article: How To Use Essential Oil To Handle menstrual cramps?
Avoid Eating Junk Food
Even though fries, ice cream and brownies sound tasty when you are on your period, eating foods that are high in sugar, salt, as well as trans fats, are harmful. They will cause more bloating and inflammation that will make your cramps worse than they already are. If you are craving a snack, eat a piece of fruit or nuts to satisfy those cravings.
Give Massages A Go
Recent studies have shown that massaging can reduce menstrual pain, especially with those who have endometriosis. Massages will reduce the spasms because they will relax your uterus. To make the best of it, make sure that you are focusing on the abdominal area, and your pains should get better.
Choose Decaf
Caffeine is known for making your blood vessels narrower. That is why drinking coffee while you are on your period will make your cramps worse. If you can't go without drinking coffee, just switch to decaf. But if you are someone who depends on caffeine for a boost, think about eating something high in protein to get the same effect.
Drink Herbal Tea
Not a lot of people know that most herbal teas have great anti-inflammatory properties and antispasmodic compounds. They will reduce muscle spasms that cause cramping. Drinking teas such as ginger, fennel or chamomile teas will naturally relieve your menstrual pains. If you are not a fan of drinking tea, you can try out matcha. On top of that, herbal teas will help with insomnia as well as lower your stress levels.
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Try Different Dietary Supplements
By taking vitamin D, you will help your body absorb more calcium and also reduce any inflammation. While other supplements such as magnesium, omega-3 and vitamin E will help you make your period less painful.
Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods
Not a lot of people know that some foods offer natural relief for cramps, and they can be great snacks. That is because those foods have proper anti-inflammatory properties. These properties will promote blood flow that will relax your uterus. Those foods are pineapples, berries, tomatoes and some spices such as ginger, garlic and turmeric. So, if you can see that your girlfriend is struggling with menstrual cramps, why not getting her fresh fruit gift hampers and making everything better. Along with fruits, greens such as leafy vegetables, nuts, and fatty fish can do the trick.
Do Some Exercise
Even though it sounds like the last thing that you want to do when you are bending over in pain, doing light exercise will help a lot. Few minutes of stretching, yoga or aerobics or even just a walk will help you. That is because it will get your circulation going, and it will loosen up your muscles. It will also help you produce more endorphins, so you will generally feel better.
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Reduce Stress
Stress makes everything worse, including your cramps. The best way to help reduce stress while reducing your cramps is to control your breathing with mediation. All you need to do is close your eyes and go to your safe space while taking deep breaths. Doing so for a couple of minutes will make you feel relaxed. Therefore, your cramps will be better.
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Try Alternative Medicine
If you don't like taking pills, you can try alternative ways such as acupuncture and acupressure. Acupressure will stimulate your body by putting pressure on parts of it. On the other hand, acupuncture will stimulate your body by placing needles in the skin. Both will help you relax, improve blood flow and release muscle tension.
Start Hormonal Birth Control
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How To Use Essential Oil To Handle menstrual cramps?
Not a lot of people realise that hormonal birth control is not just for protection. It will help with period pains that are caused by having a hormonal imbalance. Some forms will completely alleviate your period cramps by stopping the period completely. On the other hand, others will balance your hormones which will help thin the uterine lining, so it sheds more easily, which makes it hurt less. But you should never prescribe birth control to yourself. Make sure that you are going to your OB-GYN to find the perfect one for you. There are also different forms of birth control, such as the shot or the IUD.
To Sum Up
If you are experiencing very painful periods and you have tried all the things on the list, and your cramps are still unbearable, make sure that you check in with your OB-GYN or your primary care doctor. Some people will need stronger treatment for their menstrual cramps, and there is no one better to help you than a doctor.
Author bio: Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, but her ultimate passion is health and beauty. She is also a bibliophile and her favourite book is "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner. Follow her on Twitter.