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Home Remedies For Period Cramps
When youre not feeling great, there are some home remedies for menstrual cramps you can turn to for relief.
Heat
When you have an aching muscle, you might turn to heat to loosen up any knots and ease your soreness. The same idea holds true for period cramps. A heating pad or stick-on heating wrap can provide pain relief.
Exercise
When you have your period, the last thing you might want to do is hit the gym. However, exercising can help with pain from cramps. Heat and exercise are actually our two first-line options for nonmedical treatment, says Dr. Levine. Weve found that people who exercise during their periods do tend to have less pain. Doctors arent quite sure why, although its suspected the relief comes from the release of chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel good.
Warm beverages
When youre not feeling great, warm beverages such as caffeine-free tea or hot water with honey can be soothing. Dr. Levine says these might not have any science-based benefit, but if they make you feel better, these are perfectly acceptable to drink. Applying essential oils as well cant hurt, although these too dont have any science-based benefit.
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.
RELATED: 5 Simple Yoga Moves for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Relief
Read Also: I Have Been On My Period For 2 Months
Drink More Water During Your Period Cramps
Drinking enough water during your period can help to prevent the body from getting dehydrated. Water intake can help to regulate proper functioning of the body cells. Lack of enough water in the body system can dispose women to physical and mental stress and improper functioning.
It is advisable to drink enough water at all times to keep your body active. But how much water is enough?
The Institute of Medicine recommends 9 cup of fluid total per day for women. The reduction in the amount of estrogen and progesterone can cause retention of water in the body. Drinking enough water can help to flush your system and keep you hydrated always.
Yoga Against Period Pain
Yoga doesn’t mean that you have to stand on your head but can be just a series of simple stretches. If you practice yoga regularly dont stop, and even if you feel that yoga is not for you, try a session and learn a couple of poses to use for when you have period pain. And if you do want to stand on your head, do. The myth that you shouldnt do certain yoga poses has been debunked. Concerns that this would lead to worry retrograde menstruation, or the blood flowing back, as a risk for endometriosis are no longer accepted. This was based on research dating back to 1927.
Also Check: Are You Tired On Your Period
The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Menstrual Cramps Are:
What Menstrual Product Is Best To Wear For Period Cramps
There are some myths about period products causing cramps. Tampons and menstrual cups should not cause additional cramping on your period. If you are having any pain, it probably means they arent sitting correctly. Whether you wear a menstrual cup, tampon, period underwear, pads, or even free bleed, whatever works best for you, is right to wear.
Read Also: How To Determine Your Period Cycle
How To Get Rid Of Period Cramps Fast At Home
To learn how to get rid of period cramps, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors if you experience painful cramps during your period. Furthermore, severe pain may be a sign of something more serious in some cases. You may wonder how to get rid of severe period cramps. Your doctor may ask you about your symptoms and cycle, perform a pelvic exam, and prescribe medications if necessary, in addition to requesting information about your symptoms and cycle. Your doctor will let you know the best thing to do for period cramps.
It Is Common For Women To Experience
some discomfort during their first menstrual cycle. However, the pain is severe enough to disrupt the lives of a small percentage of women. You can learn how to get rid of period cramps and have a more manageable menstrual cycle.
- More than 60% of women experience cramps.
- You can manage cramps with pain medicine.
- It is common for cramps to last two or three days.
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Can You Heal Menstrual Cramps With Home Remedies
Menstrual cramp causes discomfort and may affect your daily activities. It may lead to less productivity. Severe pain and heavy bleeding may even result in a medical emergency.
There are ways you can reduce the discomfort. You may try relieving menstrual cramps with home remedies for pain relief. From performing yoga to switching to a healthy diet, there are plenty of things you can do. Women follow different pain-relief strategies to deal with period cramps.
Some women turn to herbal remedies, and others find comfort in heat treatments. Gynecologists suggest mild exercise and diet adjustment and may also recommend NSAIDs. Abdominal massage with essential oils may help reduce menstrual discomfort.
Here we share 12 ways you can find menstrual cramps relief at home.
Try Acupuncture And Acupressure
Both acupuncture and acupressure are traditional Chinese practices for pain relief. In acupuncture, tiny needles are used in specific body points.
Acupuncture is of different types: manual, warm acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and auricular acupuncture.
As this study informs, a randomized controlled trial has shown the efficacy of pain reduction using electro-acupuncture.
It also indicates that manual and warm acupuncture performed better than NSAIDs in providing menstrual cramps relief.
Auricular acupressure is a noninvasive complementary pain relief therapy that alleviates menstrual pain and distress as per this study.
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Why Are Period Cramps Painful
Menstrual cramps are painful because the discomfort involves the contraction of the uterus. Normally after ovulation, if pregnancy doesnt occur, the endometrium produces hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins prompt the uterine muscle to shrink and throw out the uterine lining in blood clot form.
Period pain occurs due to this muscle contraction and passing of clots through the narrow passage of the cervical canal.
Additionally, some women may have cervical canals that are unusually narrow and feel intense pain.
In some cases, emotional stress can make the pain intense. If severe pain bothers you for a long time, it is wise to check if you have endometriosis, fibroid, or PID conditions.
Reach For Decaf Coffee
Caffeine causes your blood vessels to narrow. This can constrict your uterus, making cramps more painful. If you need your coffee fix, switch to decaf during your period. If you rely on caffeine to beat the afternoon slump, eat a snack high in protein or take a quick 10-minute walk to boost your energy.
Also Check: What Should You Not Eat On Your Period
What Helps With Cramps
Here are a some things that can help ease cramps:
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Over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen , naproxen , oracetaminophen . Always follow the instructions on the bottle. Talk with your doctor before taking pain medication if you have an allergy to aspirin or severe asthma.
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Hormonal birth control .
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Acupuncture and acupressure.
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Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation therapy that uses mild electric currents to stimulate your nerves to relieve pain.
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Certain vitamins and herbs like vitamin B1, fish oil, fenugreek, ginger, valerian, zataria, and zinc sulfate.
Cramps are a pretty normal part of getting your period, but sometimes people have period cramps that are so painful its hard to do everyday things . If your period pain is really bad, and over-the-counter medicine doesnt help, talk with your doctor. They can help with other ways to manage the pain, or they may want to check to see if theres something more serious going on.
Cramps that are really bad may be a sign of:
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease an infection in your reproductive organs.
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Endometriosis a condition where the lining of your uterus grows outside of your uterus.
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Adenomyosis when the tissue that lines your uterus grows into the muscle wall of your uterus.
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Uterine fibroids non-cancerous tumors that grow inside your uterus, in the walls of your uterus, or on the outside of your uterus.
How To Get Rid Of Cramps On My Period
Menstruating women often feel discomfort in the lower back, abdomen, and thighs. When you are menstruating, your womb muscles contract and relax to shed the excess lining. Cramping can sometimes occur, which means your muscles are working. When you have cramps, you probably wonder what is the best thing to do for period cramps.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Period With Birth Control
Consider Hormonal Birth Control
Taking birth-control pills or using another form of hormonal contraception prevents ovulation, which can make a big difference for people who have endometriosis and have issues related to severe cramps every month as a result.
But even women with normal periods may notice that their cramps go away or aren’t quite so bad when they start taking hormonal birth control. “Contraception can help regulate hormone levels and decrease extreme fluctuations, which can be helpful,” Dr. Worly explained.
How To Get Rid Of Period Cramps Fast Without Medicine
Most of the time, women can treat menstrual cramps at home. How to get rid of severe period cramps? Dont hesitate to consult with your doctor in the case of severe pain that impacts your lifestyle. Some treatments may require prescription medicines. There are remedies that can help relieve menstrual cramps safely and effectively.
Every woman is different in how she responds to different remedies. For the best way to get rid of period cramps without medication, try the following:
Read Also: Cramps Lower Back Pain No Period
What I Can Do To Relieve Pms
Many of the things that help ease cramps can also help with PMS. Here are some different ways to relieve PMS symptoms:
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Take over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen , naproxen , or acetaminophen . Always follow the instructions on the bottle. Talk with your doctor before taking pain medication if you have an allergy to aspirin or severe asthma.
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Do aerobic exercise, like walking, running, riding a bike, swimming, or any activity that gets your heart rate up. Regular exercise is ideal.
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Do breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.
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Get plenty of rest. Sleeping regularly every night can help with stress, mood changes, and feeling tired or fatigued.
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Eat healthy foods like fruits, veggies , whole grains, and yogurt.
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Limit fat, salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
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Make sure you get enough vitamins in your diet, or take vitamin supplements. If you dont get enough calcium, take a supplement of 1200 mg of calcium daily. Magnesium and Vitamin E might also help.
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Use hormonal birth control . Your doctor can help you find a birth control method that can help with PMS.
Pop A Safe Painkiller To Cut The Inflammation
Moderate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen is one of the best ways to curb period pain, Thielen says. This is because NSAIDs reduce the amount of prostaglandins in the body. For this reason, taking a pill just before you get your period can keep the level of pain-causing prostaglandins from rising, she says.
As with any medicine, you should first check with your doctor to be sure NSAIDs are a good choice for you, especially if you have a history of bleeding or stomach or kidney issues.
If the NSAIDs you buy in the store dont offer enough relief, your doctor might prescribe an NSAID with more potency. Some women need up to 800 milligrams three times a day for cramps. Youd have to take a lot of over-the-counter pills to equal that, Thielen says.
RELATED: 7 Things an Anesthesiologist Wants Women to Know About Pain
Recommended Reading: I Got My First Period But Not My Second
Dial Back Your Stress Level
Another factor in period pain is stress. A March 2022 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepalstudy focused on how dysmenorrhea affected 100 female medical students. Based on the participants’ responses to a self-report questionnaire, the researchers found a strong positive correlation between dysmenorrhea and stress.
Audra Gollenberg, PhD, an associate professor of public health at Shenandoah University, recommended making time on the regular for self-care and stress-busting activities, from meditation to outings with friends. “Stress has been shown to affect reproductive hormones, so it makes sense that it could affect your period, too,” Gollenburg said. “Stress reduction is very individual, but anything that helps you handle stressful situations may help reduce discomfort at this time of the month.”
Can I Drink Milk During My Period
Dairy isn’t a smart choice. Dairy is a major part of a well-balanced diet, but eating too much cheese or consuming too many milk-based products on your period can cause your period cramps to worsen. In fact, dairy can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea, according to Healthline. So, play it safe and skip the ice cream.
Recommended Reading: How Much Blood Is Too Much Period
Take Ibuprofen For General Pain
When Should We Call The Doctor
If your daughter’s PMS is severe, her doctor can help with other treatments, including medicine. Call the doctor if your daughter:
- does not feel better after trying home treatments
- seems very sad or hopeless
- ever talks about hurting or killing herself
- can’t do her usual activities because of her PMS symptoms
- has PMS symptoms that don’t go away after the first few days of her period
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How To Get Rid Of Cramps In 2 Minutes
– Updated on September 11, 2020
– Medically Reviewed by Naziliya Rakhimova, MD
Millions of people suffer from various types of cramps every day . The most common and painful types are stomach cramps, spasms in muscles , and severe menstrual cramping . This simple breathing remedy was developed and used by over 150 Russian MDs. They have successfully applied this method to thousands of their patients. Virtually all people reported that they could prevent or stop their suffering in about 1-2 minutes. This technique is used to relieve severe menstrual cramps, stomach and leg-foot spasms, and many other types of cramps. It can be also applied during night-time sleep.
How To Get Rid Of Period Cramps Fast: 11 At
More than 84% of people who get periods report some kind of menstrual pain.
Almost half experience pain during every monthly cycle, while about two in five have occasional period pain. Either way, period cramps and pain can disrupt everyday life.
Luckily, home remedies may help. In this article, first Ill explain what period cramps are and what causes them. Then Ill discuss 11 common ways to alleviate period pain, plus when to see a medical provider for care.
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