Even a mention of period cramps makes most women cringe.
Most women experience period cramps a few days prior to their period and sometimes even throughout their menstruation. They are one of the most dreadful things that we have to go through every month, and for some of us the pain can be unbearable. However, we must know that they are the very reason we get our period. The uterus contracts, that is- it squeezes, making the lining come off the walls of your uterus and leave your body. And, when this happens, the blood flows out of your vagina.
While period cramps are inevitable every month, there are a number of ways to curb the pain.
Here are 11 period pain tips for you to help make your period more comfortable:
1. Consume lots of water to provide period pain relief
Prevent your body from getting dehydrated by sipping on water at intervals. Water intake can help to regulate proper functioning of the body cells therefore resulting in period pain relief.
Hence, lack of water in the system, especially during periods can put added mental and physical stress on women.
2. Apply a heat patch for period cramp relief
Applying a heat patch can help relieve menstrual cramps. One small study published in 2001 in Evidence-Based Nursing found that topically applied heat is just as effective as ibuprofen for period cramps.
Nua’s expert-led product, Cramp Comfort, is a self-generated heat patch that keeps you warm for 8 hours. You can find your patch here.
3. Exercise to get rid of period cramps
You may not like the sound of exercise during your period but it is effective in alleviating cramps. Exercising helps relieve endorphins, resulting in reduced or no pain. Moderate forms of activity such as walking or even doing Yoga are proved to be beneficial as opposed to doing strenuous activities.
You can know more about the different Yoga poses here.
4. Follow a healthy diet to reduce period cramps
Maintaining a healthy diet can go a long way in relieving menstrual cramps. Follow a diet that’s high in fibre and essential fats. You may eat food high in calcium such as fruits, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, almonds and dairy products.
Food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, avocado, pumpkin, etc. help reduce muscle cramps during period
5. An orgasm keeps period cramps at bay
Believe it or not, oxytocin and endorphin released during sexual intercourse help in reducing menstrual pain. As weird as it may sound it’s proved to be effective. It releases the same feel-good-endorphins that are released when you exercise.
6. Pop in safe pain-killers to reduce period cramps
For some women, the cramps are so severe that nothing but a period pain medicine or tablet helps them get rid of the pain.
Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medications may be consumed during those days of the month. However, always check with your Gynaecologist before taking any drug.
7. Calm period cramping by sipping on some herbal tea
A cup of Chamomile or Cinnamon tea helps lower pain during menstruation. It’s known to have a calming effect that lasts for a long time. Ginger tea may also be consumed as it has been found to serve as an anti-inflammatory substance which reduces pain.
8. A hot bubble bath can alleviate period pain
There’s nothing that a nice bubble bath can’t fix. Application of heat is proved to relieve menstrual pain. Hence, a hot bath or shower for quite a long time can help ease the pain.
9. Acupuncture helps relieve menstrual cramps
Acupuncture is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Relaxing the nervous system causes more robust blood flow to the internal organs, reducing period pain. Both acupuncture & acupressure give the same benefits.
10. Massaging with essential oils reduces period cramps
Massaging your lower abdomen with essential oils for about 20 minutes can help reduce menstrual pain. Massage therapy for menstruation involves pressing specific points around your abdomen, side, and back.
11. See your Gynaecologist
When everything else fails and you’re experiencing terrible cramps, just call your doctor. A chat with them is all you need to get instant relief.
These are really useful tips.I suffer a lot during the first day of my periods.Not only abdominal pain but also back pain.Please post for reducing back pain
Trust me girlfreinds yoga works I woke up one day 2 days before my period and my cramps were raging so I know I didn’t want to but u gotta do whatcha gotta do so I put my left leg under my chest and did the have split and in no time it just was helping.
THANK THE LORD O GOD
really useful tips. for me the heat pad really work and a good rest. sometimes I also take pain killer if my back pain is worst. but after giving birth , my period pain is bearable
These are quite helpful suggestions. During the first day of my periods, I had tremendous pain. It has caused not only abdominal discomfort, but I also had back ache. Thank you for sharing such blogs.