What Causes Your Menstrual Cramps
We know that. You have a love and hate relationship with your uterus. Your uterine muscle contractions are triggered by prostaglandins. You will have severe cramps if your body is producing higher levels of prostaglandins. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for period cramps. Women usually experience annoying pains from in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Normally, a woman only experiences cramps two years after she gets her period.
Dysmenorrhea usually occurs before or during menstruation and continues for up to three or four days. Fact:If youre single and you suffer from cramps every time youre having your period then you might be happy to know that they will be less painful after you give birth.
Also, as you age, the cramps wont be as painful as before, back when you were younger. Traditionally and culturally, most of your female ancestors were not allowed to complain against cramps. The society then thought it was an act of rebellion, going against nature and it was unwoman.
Good thing you were born in a modern world so yes, you can complain. Or you can find some natural remedies. Here are some 12 effective natural remedies to get rid your cramps:
Acupuncture May Help By Relaxing The Nervous System
Acupuncture can help relieve cramps, says Jeannie Bianchi, a licensed acupuncturist in San Francisco. This ancient Asian healing method is thought to relax the nervous system, allow more blood to flow to internal organs, and quell inflammation, Bianchi says.
In a review published in April 2016 in the CochraneDatabase of Systematic Reviews experts looked at 42 studies that observed the effects of acupuncture on period cramps. Each compared acupuncture with no treatment, conventional treatment , or a sham acupuncture procedure. Many of the studies found that the acupuncture group had less period pain and no side effects. The researchers emphasize, however, that the quality of all of the studies was poor.
When To Visit A Doctor
You need to visit a doctor if
- You are pregnant.
- The menstrual cramps last longer than usual.
- You develop a fever.
- All your symptoms worsen and are more frequent.
Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps can cause intense pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen and additional symptoms like bloating, nausea, dizziness, and lower back pain. It generally occurs as a result of sensitivity to prostaglandin or due to very heavy period flow. Home remedies for period cramps like fenugreek seed water, essential oils, pickle juice, foot massage, etc., can help bring relief and reduce the severity of the cramps. In addition, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to lessen the severity of cramps. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if your menstrual cramps cause severe pain or lead to a fever.
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What Can I Do For Cramps
If cramps bother you, you can:
- Take a pain reliever. Talk to your mom or dad or your doctor about which medicine is best for you. They can help you figure out how much to take and how often.
- Exercise! Being physically active can ease cramps, probably because exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the body that make you feel good.
- Get warm. Try placing a warm water bottle, warm heating pad, or warm compress on your belly or take a warm bath.
If these tips dont help, talk to your parent or your doctor about other treatments.
How To Stop Period Cramps At School Fast: 10 Methods That Work Best
A child is very sensitive during early period days and in such conditions do not want to step out of the comfort zone. At school too, sitting and standing several times, physical activities, and improper hygiene services are a concern for most of them.
To top it all, period cramps often cause a lot of distraction and trouble the little girls with nobody to share the feeling with. Since the body undergoes so many changes, it is natural for a girl to be a little under-confident.
As a parent/guardian, it is necessary for us to train our children to deal with such situations boldly and correctly.
Read Also: Can I Be Pregnant After 2 Periods
Another Switch I Made Which I Believe Has Made A Huge Difference
Switching to Organic tampons and pads. Synthetic pads and tampons are made out of rayon, soaked in dioxin , and they completely throw off your PH balance. A few of these companies have made an organic version though so look out for those! Some pads and tampons have added fragrance which throws off the PH balance even more. The ingredients in fragrance are undisclosed, so Lord only knows what other toxic chemicals youre exposing yourself to.
Also, because rayon is so drying, it increases your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Rayon is doused in pesticides and dioxin bleaches the rayon and youre sticking that up extremely absorbent tissue! No wonder so many women struggle with PCOS, endometriosis, fertility issues, reproductive cancers, and overall really difficult periods!
Organic pads and tampons are made out of Organic cotton and are free from dyes, fragrance, pesticides, and hormone disrupting chemicals. Organic cotton isnt nearly as drying as rayon, so switching to Organic feminine products lowers the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Youre also not putting cancerous chemicals in your body.
How To Treat Period Cramps Naturally: Food As Medicine
20/01/2018 16:52
Painful period cramps are one of the most common complaints I treat in my naturopathic womens health practice . Ive had a lot of success in helping women reduce or completely eliminate their menstrual cramps using only natural medicine, and I want to share that knowledge with you. Some of my patients experience annoying cramps that distract them from work, while others have debilitating, all consuming lower belly and back pain that requires painkillers just to get through the day. If either of these cases sound like you, Id like to share my natural medicine treatments that you can utilize to minimize or get rid of your period cramps within as little as 3 months. This article covers food and diet for hormone health Ill cover herbs and supplements in another article.
Who gets painful periods, and what causes them?
Menstrual cramps, formally known as dysmenorrhea, are very common, affecting more than 50% of menstruating women. If youre reading this article, you likely already know exactly what Im talking about. Symptoms can include:
- Cramping, throbbing or aching pain in the lower belly that may radiate to the back or down the legs,
- Malaise, fatigue
- Dizziness, nervousness, and even collapse are also associated with dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea is divided into two types: primary, and secondary.
What exactly causes the cramping?
Diet and foods for pain-free periods
Other suggestions to eliminate period cramps
Yours in hormone health,
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Top 5 Natural Ways To Deal With Period Cramps
If the first thing you reach for is the ibuprofen bottle when your period cramps come back to haunt you, then youre doing it wrong. We get it, sometimes period pains, also known as dysmenorrhea, can be uncontrollable and youd do anything to make them stop but there are better ways to ease that pain. Unless you want a damaged liver, avoid the prolonged medication side-effects caused from painkillers and make your tummy happier with these 5 natural remedies.
Also Check: How Do You Know If Your Getting Your Period
Conventional Treatment Of Pms
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are the most commonly used conventional medicine option for PMS symptoms. PMS sufferers also commonly turn to pain relievers containing acetaminophen, too. These drugs do achieve symptomatic pain relief in about two thirds of women, but they may cause adverse side effects. Ibuprofen warns of serious gastrointestinal side effects like stomach bleeding , while acetaminophen-containing products warn of possible liver damage right on the bottle.
A typical treatment to get rid of period cramps is an over-the-counter medicine like Midol®, which mainly works to relieve the most painful of PMS symptom: menstrual cramps. While an over-the-counter option like this might work, it doesnt come without scary side effects. Common side effects include an increase in the thickness of lung secretions, chronic trouble sleeping, irritation of the stomach or intestines and stomach cramps are all possible and even likely. Rare side effects range from acute liver failure to blood disorders.
So youre period cramps might stop, but you might give yourself new health issues, maybe even serious ones, to address. I highly recommend you dont get on the merry-go-round of conventional treatment when it comes to your premenstrual syndrome, especially when there are natural treatments that can get at the root of your period symptoms.
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Drink Enough Of Water
We all know that water has a lot of health benefits in our body, especially if you drink enough of it. According to HealthLine.com “Drinking water keeps your body from retaining water and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation“.
Take note that it is best to drink hot or warm water because hot liquids increase blood to the skin and may relax cramped muscles.
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.
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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:
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Ways To Reduce Period Pain Naturally
Many women experience painful cramps during their period. Although many of these symptoms are mild, they can be debilitating for others especially women who suffer from fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometriosis. Thankfully, there are several ways to reduce period pain naturally. Reducing period pain can free you up to live your life without the constant worry of how to make the pain subside.
If youre looking for natural ways to reduce pain during periods, here are several methods that can help you manage your severe menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea:
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Foods That Help With Cramps
Do you experience intense period cramping? Cramps are not only painful but also usually associated with fatigue and interfere with your ability to move around and go through your daily routines. If regular medication isnt enough to help ease your symptoms, you may want to try modifying your diet. What foods might help to ease period cramps and which are best to avoid during your period? Flo compiled a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid if you are experiencing severe cramping.
How To Get Rid Of Cramps Fast
One thing on everyones mind when reaching for something to help with cramps: when are they going away.I think its a fair question, De Lune founder & CEO Mimi Millard said in a recent podcast interview. If I was looking for a new solution, thats one of the first things Id want to knowhow long does it take to work?Great news: you can effectively get rid of period cramps fastby some reports, within minutes of using an intervention. That said, not all interventions are created equal in terms of speed, effectiveness, or safety, nor will everybody react to all interventions in the same way.Here are the top period cramp remedies with the best scientific evidence that they work for most peopleand work quickly.
HERBS, MINERALS, & VITAMINS FOR PERIOD PAINTime to relief:
In a survey of over 140 real Cramp Aid users, 93% reported finding cramp relief. For 78% of users, relief came within 60 minutes of taking just one 2-capsule serving of Cramp Aid.
Pros:
Natural remedies like supplements can provide non-drug cramp relief thats safe, effective, and fast. Since nutritional and herbal supplements tend to act upon multiple organ systems at once, using them may also benefit other areas of your health as well.
Cons:
Although risks of side effects are generally lower with dietary supplements than with pharmaceuticals, side effects are possible, especially if:
Always tell your doctor about all the supplements you take.
OVER-THE-COUNTER PAINKILLERSTime to relief:Pros:Cons:HEAT
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Yogato Get Rid Of Period Cramps
Yoga offers the user exercise, stretching, relaxation time and meditation. All of these techniques can impact pain in a positive manner. Do?sit-ups work your abdominal muscles especially, focusing attention away from cramping and toward the pleasant burn in your outer tummy.?Gentle place pressure on stomach for 10 seconds at a time. Your body will start to notice the sensation of the pressure instead of the sensation of pain caused by the menstrual cramping.
Some Q& a About Period Cramps
What are the common causes of irregular periods?
The common causes of irregular periods include eating disorders, stress, excessive weight gain or weight loss.
What cause prolonged periods?
Benign tumors like polyp or fibroid can be the reason behind heavy bleeding or prolonged periods.
Can antibiotics affect periods?
In most cases, they dont, but a heavy course of antibiotics might delay period for some women.
What is period cramps formally called?
Periods of intense pain is called dysmenorrhea.
Is period cramp common?
Honestly, it is, and it is not at the same time. Period cramps are the most common problems that women face when having a period. Usually, the pain lasts for the first one or two days when the period begins. However, if this prolongs, then there may problems that you should worry about.
What is primary dysmenorrhea?
Primary dysmenorrhea is when the pain occurs due to the release of natural chemicals in the body. These are called prostaglandins. These chemicals line the uterine walls. Pain due to primary dysmenorrhea starts right before the start of menstruation each month.
What is secondary dysmenorrhea?
Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs when there is any disorder in the reproductive system. Usually, it may begin at a later stage in your life. Plus, the pain associated with secondary dysmenorrhea tends to get worse over time.
What is the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea?
Secondary dysmenorrhea can occur due to some conditions. These are:
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Things That May Help With Period Cramps
Dealing with menstrual cramps every month can be as frustrating as it is painful. The good news is there are many remedies that might help you relieve period cramps. Its important to remember that these techniques wont always work, especially for chronic conditions, but they can offer relief for mild to moderate period pain.
Yoga Exercise & Sleep To Get Rid Of Period Pain
- Exercise Doing a light workout daily can help to get rid of menstrual Back of stomach pain and also help regulate irregular cycles. Exercise strengthens your body and gets you prepared for the period. It stretches the muscles and tissues that might be cramping and causing pain. Daily exercise also relaxes you from stress which can cause hormone disturbance. Jogging or a long walk is an excellent way to stop menstrual pain.
- Yoga to ease menstrual pain Doing yoga daily is very beneficial for reducing menstrual pain. Yoga offers exercise, stretching, relaxation time, and meditation. It can also help regulate the irregular period cycle.
- Sleep Sleeping is a good way to reduce stress and avoid hormone disturbance. It is a vital component of pain reduction. It is recommended that a woman suffering from menstrual pain should get more than 8 hours of sleep just one week before her menstruation.
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Get Help Relieving Period Cramps
If youve tried all the menstrual cramp treatments on this list and still have painful periods, or you want to know up front which options will work best for you, talk to your primary care doctor or OB-GYN.
At HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, our womens health doctors can prescribe stronger treatments for menstrual cramps that can go a long way to improve your quality of life during that time of the month. A little help from a doctor might be the best way to stop dreading your periods.
Food And Drink Modifications
What you put into your body impacts how it feels on any given day, but that’s particularly true before your period. Caffeine, meat, sugar and salt can all make menstrual cramps worse.
Fortunately, if you’re looking for ways to stop period cramps, your diet can actually be an asset. Getting more omega-3 fatty acids can help your body reduce inflammation, soothing your symptoms.
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How To Get Rid Of Period Cramps: 20 Natural Remedies To Ease The Pain
Women are born with a strong spirit inside. You may look vulnerable and fragile outside with your gentle voice and angelic face but inside you are like a brave tigress.
Women have bodies that can regenerate and have high pain tolerance. In fact, some women endure labor pains for almost eight to ten hours.
It is about loving your body, your period and getting along with your cramps. Are you looking for remedies on how to get rid of period cramps?
This article will show you the 20 effective natural remedies to help ease the pain of your cramps, without using medicine.
But first, let’s discuss it what causes your cramps.