How To Make Period Cramps Go Away

Get A Relaxing Massage

You can massage the lower abdomen at least two times a day. Use essential oils like those of lavender for this task.

When you massage the area, any potential inflammation diminishes. Moreover, the fragrance of these oils instills the sensation of feeling good and fresh in your mind.

The muscles that become sore and stressed due to repeated spasmodic contractions get relieved when massaged.

When you are at home and have plenty of time at hand, then you can reach out for this technique.

How To Stop Period Cramps At School: 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.

What Is Are Menstrual Cramps

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain with your period or menstrual cramps. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the name for common menstrual cramps that come back over and over again and arent due to other diseases. Pain usually begins one or two days before you get your period or when bleeding actual starts. You may feel pain ranging from mild to severe in the lower abdomen, back or thighs.

Pain can typically last 12 to 72 hours, and you might have other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and even diarrhea. Common menstrual cramps may become less painful as you get older and may stop entirely if you have a baby.

If you have painful periods because of a disorder or an infection in your female reproductive organs, it is called secondary dysmenorrhea. Pain from secondary dysmenorrhea usually begins earlier in the menstrual cycle and lasts longer than common menstrual cramps. You usually dont have nausea, vomiting, fatigue or diarrhea.

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Up The Magnesium In Your Diet To Help Nerve And Muscle Function

Dietary magnesium seems to help ease the pain of cramps, says DeJarra Sims, ND, an assistant professor of naturopathic medicine at Bastyr Universitys California campus in San Diego and the author of Your Healthiest Life Now. A Cochrane review of dietary and other remedies published in 2001 concluded that getting enough magnesium can help relieve pain.

Magnesium is found in many foods and as a supplement if you cant get what you need from your diet. Magnesium helps regulate nerve and muscle functioning, among other vital tasks researchers who evaluated the evidence on magnesium call it a promising treatment for menstrual cramps. But they cannot recommend a specific dose, because researchers have studied various doses. The recommended dietary allowance of magnesium for women of childbearing age is about 320 mg daily. An ounce of dry almonds or one half cup of boiled spinach each has about 80 mg.

Dr. Sims says the dose you may need depends on the severity of your cramps and other factors. Ask your doctor about the best magnesium intake for you.

Birth Control Pills May Lessen Painful Cramping Too

While not exactly a home remedy, birth control pills and hormonal intrauterine devices are potential tools in your anticramping arsenal and should not be overlooked, Thielen says.

Consider cramp relief a benefit to some types of contraception. Many women find relief from painful cramps when they start the pill, Thielen says. Hormonal birth control typically lessens the amount of bleeding, and less bleeding can translate into fewer cramps, she says.

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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:

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 .

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Yoga Position # : Pigeon Pose

The pigeon pose will help your hips feel more relaxed as they carry the stress of menstrual cramps. The pigeon pose will help stretch and relieve the pain felt in your hips.

First, position yourself in the upright sitting position. Bend your right knee, and extend your left leg behind you. Arch your back as you place your hands on your hips. A more intense stretch can be achieved if you reach your arms over your head and bring your hands together.

Position yourself on all fours. Bring your right knee forward towards your right wrist, and extend your right ankle so it is in line with your left hip. Slowly slide your leg back. For balance and depending on your flexibility, you may need to keep your hands positioned on the ground.

As your leg extends back, you will feel the stretching of your left hip and you may also feel stretching along your right side, but it shouldn’t be painful. If it is painful, you may need to modify the pose.

Hold this pose for several breaths before returning to the center and repeating the pose with your right leg outstretched behind you and your left knee bent. Repeat 5 to 10 times.

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.

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Reducing Or Stopping Your Period

Youve already had a rundown on birth control. Now its time to talk about menstrual suppression. Hormonal options may reduce menstrual bleeding or stop it completely.

This may be particularly important if youre living with bleeding disorders such asvon Willebrand disease and thrombocytopenia. Hormonal options are also a common intervention for those with uterine fibroids,endometriosis, or naturally heavy menstrual flows.

Heres what you need to know.

Use A Menstrual Cup Or Discs

Certain menstrual products can be left in during penetration.

Menstrual discs and menstrual cups sit higher up in the body on the cervix blocking the blood from trickling down where the penis/dildo/finger is going to go.

Luna adds, Some people even report that having sex with a menstrual cup in is extra enjoyable because of the ways it puts pressure on their G-spot.

Just keep in mind that while these menstrual cups and discs look similar to birth control devices like the diaphragm or cervical cap, menstrual products dont double as birth control.

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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.

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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Dial Back Your Stress Level

Stress may affect the severity and duration of period pain, according to a 2010 Journal of Womens Health study. When participants experienced high levels of stress in a given month, they were more likely to report more menstrual symptoms during their next cycle, compared to months when they had less stress. For women who had two consecutive high-stress months, there seemed to be a cumulative effect: The number of women reporting 8 or more symptoms nearly doubled between the first and second cycle, from 27% to 50%.

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Study co-author Audra Gollenberg, PhD, now an associate professor of public health at Shenandoah University, recommends 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, she says. Stress reduction is very individual, but anything that helps you handle stressful situations may help reduce discomfort at this time of the month.”

How Can You Tell If The Pain Of Your Menstrual Cramps Is Normal

If you have severe or unusual menstrual cramps or cramps that last for more than two or three days, contact your healthcare provider. Both primary and secondary menstrual cramps can be treated, so it’s important to get checked.

First, you will be asked to describe your symptoms and menstrual cycles. Your healthcare provider will also perform a pelvic exam. During this exam, your provider inserts a speculum . The provider is able to examine your vagina, cervix and uterus. The doctor will feel for any lumps or changes. They may take a small sample of vaginal fluid for testing.

If your provider thinks you may have secondary dysmenorrhea, you may need additional tests, such as an ultrasound or a laparoscopy. If those tests indicate a medical problem, your healthcare provider will discuss treatments.

If you use tampons and develop the following symptoms, get medical help right away: over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Dizziness, fainting or near fainting.
• A rash that looks like a sunburn.

These are symptoms of toxic shock syndrome, a life-threatening illness.

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Yoga Position # : Adapted Childs Pose

Childs pose is one of the most familiar yoga poses, even to less experienced practitioners or those who are quite new to yoga practice. This pose targets menstrual pain that is found primarily in the back.

For childs pose, start with your knees on the floor. We call this an adapted childs pose because you may want to widen your knees farther apart than you typically would for this pose to aid in pain relief.

Fold forward, extend your arms, and bend down as far as you can comfortably go. If possible lean your forehead on the mat in front of you for five slow, diaphragmatic breaths, or breaths using your belly rather than your chest. You can also turn your head from one side to the other, slowly, counting five breaths before turning to the other side.

Youre going to want to relax your hips and slowly stretch those lower back muscles.

Why Does It Hurt To Poo During My Period

If it hurts to go while youre on your period, there could be a few things that are happening in your body:

• Constipation, which can make period poos harder and more difficult to pass
• Diarrhoea, which might also come with painful stomach cramps
• Menstrual cramps, which might feel worse if youre straining
• A gynaecological condition, like endometriosis or ovarian cysts
• Haemorrhoids, which might develop because of constipation, diarrhoea, or even just from spending too much time on the toilet

According to BMC Womens Health, people also report greater sensitivity to pain and feelings of discomfort while theyre in the premenstrual phase, as well as when theyre on their actual periods. The sensitivity might be why it hurts more to go when youre on or coming up to your period.

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Hop Into The Shower Or Bath And Feel Things Out

If youre worried staining the sheets or carpet is going to interfere with your pleasure, take it to the shower or tub, suggests Luna. The blood will go right down the drain.

She suggests bringing lube into the shower. While showers are wet, they actually wash away your bodys natural lubrication, which can cause uncomfortable friction.

Just be careful: Both blood and lube can be slippery, so consider investing in a shower mat.