Coping With Period Pain
There are a number of simple ways to ease the discomfort.
Treatment Of Period Cramps
Treatment for period cramps includes medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and home remedies.
Medical treatment:
- Pain relief medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc. can help reduce the pain of cramps. Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be advised for women with severe pain.
- Oral contraceptive pills : Oral contraceptives contain hormones that prevent ovulation and reduce period cramps. These hormones may also be administered in other forms such as injection, skin patch, or intrauterine device .
- Surgery: Surgery may be required to treat uterine fibroids or endometriosis and reduce associated symptoms.
How Do You Get Rid Of Period Cramps Fast At Home
Applying heat to your abdomen and lower back may relieve pain. A 2012 study focused on 147 women 18 to 30 years old who had regular menstrual cycles found that a heat patch at 104°F was as effective as ibuprofen. If you dont have a hot water bottle or heating pad, take a warm bath or use a hot towel.
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Try Some Yoga Poses To Ease Menstrual Pain
Whether it’s the stretching of your muscles or the relaxing effect of the poses, a regular yoga practice can indeed help your cramps.
When 20 undergraduate students did an hour-long yoga program once a week for three months, they had less menstrual cramping and period distress than 20 women who didnt, according to researchers for a study published in September 2016 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
The Journal of Physiotherapy review that sanctioned heating pads also found benefits for yoga.
You can practice during your period or between them, but some instructors advise women against doing inverted poses in the midst of menstruation, so as not interfere with your natural flow.
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Heat Will Help Ease The Pain
Is it getting hot in here, or is your stomach just on fire? Heat soothes period cramps and takes your mind off things.
Bath. Take a much-needed break from a pad or tampon and have a nice soak in the bathtub. Not only is it relaxing as hell, but the warm water will relax your muscles and help your cramps chill out. Add some Epsom salts to the bath for extra relief, and a bath bomb to crank up the vibes.
Heating Pad. Dont have a bathtub or just not a fan? Get a heating pad! There are a variety of heating pads you can pop in the microwave or fill with hot water and bring wherever you go! Whether youre watching television, in the car, sitting at your desk or lying in bed hold a heating pad against your stomach to reduce the pain of period cramps.
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Birth Control And Severe Cramps
As mentioned earlier, endometriosis is a disease in the uterus that causes severe cramps. If you think you have this condition, you should speak with your doctor. The treatment options for severe period cramping vary and are yet to be conclusive. However, some research points to birth control as a potential treatment option. Severe cramps could also be a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease or uterine fibroids.
Relief For Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms
Curcumin, a natural chemical in turmeric, may help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome . One 2015 study looked at 70 women who took two capsules of curcumin for seven days before their period and three days after. Participants reported significant reduction in PMS.
If you want to give curcumin a try, check out this recipe by In Jennies Kitchen for turmeric tea. Curcumin supplements are also available online.
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What Is Menstrual Cramping
The painful cramping women experience during the menstrual period is caused by a release of the hormone prostaglandin. This stimulates the muscles in the uterus to contract. The pain can radiate to the lower back and usually diminishes within the first few days. Other causes of the cramps experienced during this time may be linked to poor diet, emotional stress, thyroid irregularities, or environmental toxins.
The severity of the cramping can depend on genetics, quantity of blood flow, and whether symptoms began at an early age. A persons lifestyle habits may also affect menstruation such as smoking, physical activity, and the use of alcohol and any illegal drugs.
Menstrual cramps may become less prevalent after childbirth, but luckily, we have some less drastic methods and tips for how to stop period cramps below.
When All Else Fails Call The Doc
If nothing seems to be helping, talk to your gyno. They can check for any underlying causes, like endometriosis, that might be making your cramps extra-painful. She may also recommend birth control pills, which can thin the uterine lining and make cramps less intense. Cramps may be common, but they shouldn’t interfere with your life, so if you’ve tried everything and you’re still in pain every month, definitely let your doc know.
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Apply Heat To The Area
Placing a heating pad on your stomach or lower back can do wonders for relieving menstrual pain quickly. Heat is known to improve blood flow, relax muscles, and relieve tension in the body. Research indicates that a heat patch at 104°F is as effective as ibuprofen at relieving menstrual cramps.
Dont have a heating pad? Try a hot bath or shower instead.
Yoga Position # : Cat
Cat-cow is a two-part pose that will target not just the back but also your abdominal muscles.
Start with the cow pose. On your hands and knees, check to make sure your hands are aligned under your shoulders. Your knees should be aligned under your hips. Gently stretch your head upwards, gazing towards the sky as you breathe in. At the same time, raise your tailbone towards the sky and drop your belly towards the ground.
Now it is time to move to the cat pose. Breathe normally for a few breaths. Then, after a deep inhalation, breathe out slowly and curl your back. Your head and your tailbone will stretch towards the ground. The gentle arch of your spine will warm your back muscles as well as stretch and tone your abdominals.
Exhale on the cat pose and inhale on the cow. Repeat 5 to 20 times to help relieve your pain.
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Curl Up With A Heating Pad To Ease Period Cramps
The uterus is a muscle, so anything that helps relax muscles, like applying heat, can be beneficial, Thielen says.
Indeed, research published in Evidence-Based Nursing found that topically applied heat was just as effective as ibuprofen for period cramps. Over the two study days, the women used heat alone, heat plus ibuprofen, ibuprofen alone, or a placebo. The best results were in the heat plus ibuprofen group adding heat led to faster improvements.
A review published in March 2014 in The Journal of Physiotherapy also found that heat significantly lessened a womans period pain.
Try Fish Oil And Vitamin B1 For Natural Relief
Another natural route to period cramp relief is taking fish oil supplements, vitamin B1, or both, according to research published in September 2014 in the Global Journal of Health Science. Scientists assigned 240 teens with menstrual cramps and other pain to take B1 and fish oil, B1 alone, fish oil alone, or a placebo. The teens took 100 milligrams per day of B1 and 500 mg daily of fish oil supplements.
When the teens reported their pain, those taking either the fish oil, B1, or both had significantly less pain than the placebo group. The pain also didnt last as long if they took fish oil or B1.
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Quick Answer: How To Get Rid Of Cramps Asap
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Here are 10 proven home remedies that may ease your discomfort, and help you get back on track with your busy life. Use a heat patch. Massage your tummy with essential oils. Take an OTC pain reliever. Exercise. Soak in a tub. Do yoga. 4 Yoga Poses to Relieve Cramps. Take supplements.
Acupressure For Period Cramps
Pressure therapy or acupressure is an approved treatment for menstrual cramps without medicine. It is an old and effective method of treating various problems such as headaches, indigestion, muscle and joint pain. Acupressure is based on a theory of holistic self-healing using physical pressure. Pressure is applied at specified points to increase the flow of life energy through the meridians to clear blockages.
Pressure points that are useful in acupressure treatment for menstrual cramps:
- Sea of Energy
- Returning point
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How To Get Rid Of Period Cramps Fast Naturally
In general pain and discomfort are not normal for your body. It is always an indication that something deep inside is not right. Your body is sending messages through pain to get your attention.
And what the most of us do? We reach for anti-inflammatory drugs just to cover the symptoms, not even knowing that these drugs come with serious side effects and dont address the cause.
I was one of those women, I took the common conventional treatments for painful periods birth control pills and ibuprofen. The painkillers were my best friends when I struggled with crippling cramps during my teens.
Being on pill for several years helped a lot in reducing the symptoms. But once Ive decided that I dont want artificial hormones circulate in my system anymore, my skin, cramping, bleeding and PMS got even worse than they were initially. I was experiencing severe hormonal disruption.
Until I discovered the real root cause of unbearable period pain which is often treatable with some lifestyle and diet changes,high quality supplements and natural home remedies. And more importantly, these remedies helped me get rid of menstrual cramps pains permanently!
Easing Menstrual Cramps With Tea
Taking different kinds of herbal tea can help ease menstrual cramps and associated symptoms. Make green tea with peppermint to soothe an upset stomach and relieve bloating. Chamomile and cinnamon tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce prostaglandins and relieve stomach and back pains.
You should however avoid alcohol and caffeine as much as possible. Coffee and other carbonated beverages make you anxious and retain water.
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The Power Of Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol is a plant extract derived from the maritime pine tree found in the southwestern region of France. The extract contains several potent antioxidant compounds. In one study of women between the ages of 18 and 48 years old, those who experienced dysmenorrhea who took a supplement containing 60 milligrams of pycnogenol during their periods had significantly less pain and needed less pain medication compared to when they didn’t take the supplement. They also needed pain medication for fewer days when they took the pycnogenol supplement. Surprisingly, women still needed less pain medication during their periods even after they stopped taking the pycnogenol. However, women who had low levels of menstrual pain weren’t helped by the supplement. Ask your doctor if pycnogenol may help relieve severe pain associated with your period.
Tame Chronic Sleep Problems
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Sleep quality has an effect on menstrual symptoms and many health conditions. In one study, women who had insomnia reported more severe dysmenorrhea and more interference with daily activities due to symptoms compared to women who did not have insomnia. Practice good sleep hygiene to keep painful menstruation symptoms at bay. This involves going to bed at about the same time every night. Establish and stick to a nightly routine to give your body the signal that it’s time for sleep. The routine may involve things like listening to soothing music, enjoying a cup of tea, or taking a warm bath. Getting adequate sleep to promote overall health will help you manage monthly symptoms associated with your menstrual cycle.
More Sleep Tips
Avoid TV, your smartphone, computer, and other screens before bed to help you wind down. You may feel more comfortable sleeping in different positions during your period. Pay extra attention to sleep hygiene in the days leading up to your period.
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How To Relieve Menstrual Cramps With Vitamins
Vitamins support a number of biochemical reactions that help regulate menses. They also reduce intensity and duration of menses hence less pain and cramping.
Vitamin D
One a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests positive use of vitamin D for period pain. Antonio Lasco, MD of the University of Messina and his team made a comparison in the use of vitamin D with placebo pills for period pain. The study group comprised of 40 women aged 18-40 with painful menstrual periods.
At a very high single dose of 300000 IU , there was a significant reduction in pain in the vitamin D group compared to those on placebo pills. This study is however not considered conclusive since the number of women studied is low.
Vitamin D offers menstrual pain relief by countering excess production of prostaglandins which cause pms cramps.
Vitamin B
Vitamins B1 and B6 help produce good prostaglandins that help relax contracting uterine muscles. These have been found to significantly reduce the duration and intensity of period pains.
Vitamin B12 can be combined with fish oil for better effects in treatment of painful periods. Vitamin B12 at 10 mg per week is effective in treating pms symptoms including mood swings, depression and anxiety. Taking a vitamin B complex gives you the benefit of all these vitamins in a go.
Calcium
Magnesium
Milk And Other Dairy Products
Milk and other dairy products can generally be healthy options. However, during your period, your body is particularly susceptible to inflammation. The saturated fats in dairy products can trigger inflammation, which can worsen your menstrual pain.
Nevertheless, the calcium in dairy products can help cramps by controlling your muscles nerve activity. Calcium deficiencies can increase muscle spasms. Depending on your needs, it might be a good idea to consume dairy products in moderation.
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