How To Help Period Cramps Fast

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!

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.

How Dealing With Period Cramps Can Help In Other Ways

Of course, being in less pain from cramps, or bloating can majorly impact how your feeling, and might be reason enough to seek relief. But you may also want to consider soothing or stopping cramps for other benefits as well. The Journal of Reproductive Medicinementions that cramps can cause more absenteeism, meaning you miss out on work or school. Period cramps may also have an impact on your personal life.

For many women, cramps come with the territory of having your period. However, by noticing when you get them and how bad they are, you can start to plan around possible short-term and long-term solutions, whether it be with pain relievers, at-home treatment, or using birth control. Many women get period cramps, but luckily, there are options to try so you can go on living your life comfortably, even during that time of the month.

Recommended Reading: How To Know When Your Period Is Coming Again

How To Relieve Painful Menstrual Cramps

Period cramps are annoying, aggravating and at times, downright terrible – and they may be a regular part of the menstrual cycle for more than half of women who have periods.

When you’re having menstrual cramps , you can have pain in your belly, hips, lower back, and even your inner thighs. The pain in your belly may also be accompanied by pressure, and in severe cases, loose stools, upset stomach, and vomiting.

Even though your menstrual cramps may be normal, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to relieve the pain. Here are a few things you can do .

Massage Your Tummy With Essential Oils

Research suggests that some essential oils can help ease period cramps when massaged onto the abdomen, especially when used in a blend of oils.

Oils that seem to be most effective at reducing period cramps, due to their ability to boost circulation, include:

• cinnamon
• clove

You can find essential oils online, or at your local health food store. Some drugstores may sell them, too.

Before using essential oils, youll want to mix them with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Carrier oils work by safely carrying the essential oil into your skin, and helping to spread the oil over a large area.

Once your oil mixture is ready to use, rub a few drops between your hands and then give your tummy a gentle massage.

Experts say massaging in a circular motion for just five minutes a day before and during your period may help lessen cramps and boost circulation in your abdomen.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen , naproxen , and aspirin are effective treatments for period cramps.

These medications work best if theyre taken at the first sign of cramps or pain.

You can find ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, at any drugstore. Be sure to take only as directed, and talk to your doctor first if you have a history of heart, liver, or kidney problems, or if you have asthma, ulcers, or bleeding disorders.

recent study , low-to-medium intensity aerobic exercise can help reduce pain caused by period cramps.

Read Also: Creative Ways To Tell Your Mom You Got Your Period

What Causes Period Pain

If you experience chronic painful periods, its only natural to wonder why. Maybe youre the only woman in your family who gets severe cramps. Maybe your painful periods didnt start until your twenties. Whatever your situation, a doctor can help you understand why you get painful cramps every month. Some of the most common causes of painful periods are:

Ways To Stop Period Cramps

Different people experience periods differently. While some barely notice them, some go through some pain and discomfort during this time. Others experience excruciating cramps. Whether your pain is mild or excruciating, it might interfere with your life to some degree on those days of the month. How can you make it better? Here are six ways to stop period cramps.

Read Also: Natural Way To Stop Period For Vacation

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:

• 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.

• Do aerobic exercise, like walking, running, riding a bike, swimming, or any activity that gets your heart rate up. Regular exercise is ideal.

• Do breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.

• Get plenty of rest. Sleeping regularly every night can help with stress, mood changes, and feeling tired or fatigued.

• Eat healthy foods like fruits, veggies , whole grains, and yogurt.

• Limit fat, salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

• 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.

• Use hormonal birth control . Your doctor can help you find a birth control method that can help with PMS.

Exercise More To Get Rid Of Period Cramps

If one wants to get rid of menstrual cramps naturally, they need to move around more. Exercise help strengthen the body and even prepare it for the period. It also releases endorphins which will help you feel better during your period as long as you will stay active.Exercise takes ones mind in a different direction, it also stretches your muscles and tissues that might be cramping and produces endorphins to make one feel better.It takes your mind in a different direction, it stretches the muscles and tissues that might be cramping and causing the pain, and produces endorphins to make you feel better.

You May Like: Birth Control To Stop Period For Vacation

Read Also: Late Period Then Heavy Bleeding And Clots

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.

Recommended Reading: Does The Depo Shot Stop Periods

Massaging With Essential Oils

Massage therapy for about 20 minutes can help.

Massage therapy for menstruation involves pressing specific points while the therapists hands move around your abdomen, side, and back.

Adding essential oils for an aromatherapy style of massage may have additional benefits.

• fennel

You can buy a scented massage oil with similar ingredients or make your own.

You should always dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil. Examples include vegetable or nut oils, such as grapeseed or sweet almond oil. A safe concentration is one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.

You May Like: Things Not To Eat On Your Period

What Causes Painful Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps happen when a chemical called prostaglandin makes the uterus contract . The uterus, the muscular organ where a baby grows, contracts throughout your menstrual cycle. During menstruation, the uterus contracts more strongly. If the uterus contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels, cutting off the supply of oxygen to muscle tissue. You feel pain when part of the muscle briefly loses its supply of oxygen.

Relieve Period Pain With Heat Packs

How does a heat pack help relieve period pain?

Heat applied to the pelvic area makes an excellent, immediate reliever for period pain. It works by increasing uterine blood flow thus providing relaxation for the smooth muscle of uterus.

Most drugstores carry heating pads electric, chemical, and microwavable. This little heat pack is my savior each time I have unbearable period cramps.

I like that it has a very soothing herbal smell and is equipped with a belt which makes it easy to use and walk around the house. A hot shower also works fine if you dont have access to a heating pad.

Don’t Miss: My Period Has Been On For 2 Weeks

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.

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.

Also Check: If You Have Irregular Periods Can You Get Pregnant

Start Hormonal Birth Control

Birth control can stop period pain if cramps are caused by a hormone imbalance. Balancing your levels of estrogen and progesterone helps thin the uterine lining so it sheds more easily. Hormonal birth control also regulates the length and frequency of your period. Some forms of birth control can completely alleviate period cramps by stopping your period altogether. Talk to your OB-GYN about birth control options, including the pill, birth control shot or hormonal IUD. Then, youll be able to choose the type of birth control that works best for you.

If youve tried all the treatments on this list and still have painful periods, or you want to know up front which option 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. A little help from a doctor might be the best way to stop dreading your periods.

When Do People Usually Get Cramps

It is no secret that pain symptoms can appear at specific times in a womans cycle.

• Perimenstrual cramps. Pain starts before your period and lasts during menstruation. It can be felt in the lower back and thighs.
• Mid-cycle/ovulation pain. This pain can also occur in the middle of your cycle. Ovulation pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen. It may last from a few hours to even a couple of days.

You May Like: How Can I Delay My Period

Types Of Menstrual Cramps

Here are some deeply technical, medical terms, but don’t get scared off. They’ll help us explain why your cramps are mild or severe.

In the medical field, period pain or cramping is referred to as dysmenorrhea.

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common type of period cramp, and you usually feel it as a pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.

The other type of cramp is more severe and is called secondary dysmenorrhea. This type of pain often starts later in life, and is usually caused by a condition that affects your uterus or other reproductive organs, such as endometriosis, an inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids.

How Does Secondary Dysmenorrhea Cause Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual pain from secondary dysmenorrhea is a result of problems with the reproductive organs. Conditions that can cause cramping include:

• Endometriosis: A condition in which the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus. Because these pieces of tissue bleed during your period, they can cause swelling, scarring and pain.
• Adenomyosis: A condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus. This condition can cause the uterus to get much bigger than it should be, along with abnormal bleeding and pain.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease : An infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs. PID can cause pain in the stomach or pain during sex.
• Cervical stenosis: Narrowing of the cervix, or the opening to the uterus.
• Fibroids : Growths on the inside, outside or in the walls of the uterus

Read Also: Can A Plan B Delay Your Period