How To Relieve Bad Period Cramps

Exercise To Get Rid Of Menstrual Pain

Exercising can help to relieve pain. When you exercise, your body releases endorphin which are known to play a great role in pain management possessing morphine-like effects.

Also, exercising keeps your body active and allows for the proper flow of blood in the body. Getting involved in various exercises such as walking, swimming, running and others can help to keep your body active at all time.

Medical research has found sport women to have less pain or menstrual cramps in relation to other women. Therefore, exercising is a great way to relieve yourself of that pain.

Improving Your Diet May Alleviate Period Cramps

When researchers put 33 women with dysmenorrhea on a low-fat vegetarian diet, they found it eased their cramps, according to research published in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Start by swapping out less healthy fats like the saturated fats found in animal products for healthier ones like unsaturated fats found in olive oil, suggests the American Heart Association. Overall, try to make the fats you eat better quality, such as those found in fish or nuts, the organization suggests. Examples of meals not overly reliant on fats can be found in the healthy eating plate guide from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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Tens Or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Against Period Cramps

If youve had a baby you might have used a TENS machine during labour to relieve the pain of the contractions. But did you know it can also help with period pain? Delivering low voltage electrical shocks through two electrode sticky pads on your skin, you feel a tingling sensation. It works through interaction with your nerves going to the spinal cord and reducing the pain. It also potentially releases endorphins which are the body’s natural painkillers. Should you be interested in this option, try renting a machine before buying one.

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Pills Vaginal Rings And Shots

Other options include birth control pills, the Nuvaring® and medroxyprogesterone shots.

Its worth pointing out that the birth control pills we would prescribe for a 16-year-old differ from those we would prescribe for a 45-year-old.

This sophisticated strategy should be directed by, or done in partnership with, a physician well-versed in adolescent health and menstrual manipulation.

Relief From Menstrual Cramps

What helps cramps naturally is exercise. Exercise provides a double dose of benefits to relieve cramps. First, when you exercise, your brain releases hormones called endorphins. Endorphins block pain receptors in your brain, helping to stop pain signals from your cramping, contracting uterus. Aerobic exercise, even a brisk walk, can release endorphins and provide some pain relief.

Exercise also improves circulation throughout your entire body, including your uterus. When you have cramps, your uterus is contracting so hard that it is cutting off some blood flow, which sends pain signals to the brain. By opening up these blood vessels with increased circulation, you may be able to relieve menstrual cramp pain.

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How Can You Relieve Mild Menstrual Cramps

To relieve mild menstrual cramps:

• For the best relief, take ibuprofen as soon as bleeding or cramping starts. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They reduce the output of prostaglandins. If you cant take NSAIDs, you can take another pain reliever like acetaminophen.
• Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower back or abdomen.
• Rest when needed.
• Avoid foods that contain caffeine.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Massage your lower back and abdomen.

Women who exercise regularly often have less menstrual pain. To help prevent cramps, make exercise a part of your weekly routine.

If these steps dont relieve pain, your healthcare provider can order medications for you, including ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory medication in a higher dose that is available over the counter. Your healthcare provider might also suggest oral contraceptives since women who take oral contraceptives tend to have less menstrual pain.

If testing shows that you have secondary dysmenorrhea, your provider will discuss treatments of the condition causing the pain. This might mean oral contraceptives, other types of medications, or surgery.

If You Have Cramping Outside Your Normal Cycle

It might be: an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. According to the American Pregnancy Association, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself somewhere other than the uterus, like the fallopian tube.

Unfortunately, this egg wont be able to develop and the attached tissue may cause severe bleeding. Both an ectopic pregnancy and a miscarriage may cause cramping with an abnormal amount of bleeding. Masterson says one of the key clues here is whether youre due for your period or not: cramping and bleeding irregularly, outside the usual timing of your cycle, is cause for suspicion.

What to do: First take a pregnancy test, recommends Masterson, if theres any chance you could be pregnant. If its negative, you can rule out a pregnancy-related issue. But if its positive, get to a doctor right awayan ectopic pregnancy cant develop normally and can turn into a life-threatening emergency, she adds.

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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.

Finding The Source Of Your Stomach Cramps

Try to pinpoint the area of your pain. Doing this is important from the point of view of knowing how to treat them or knowing whether a doctors visit is essential. Abdominal pain is considered to be pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. The following indicators might assist you:

• Sharp, localized pains that stab or pierce can be a sign of a very serious condition such as appendicitis or a ruptured organ.
• A dull, generally-spread pain might be indicative that your cramps, while painful, are not dangerous, but may require off the counter medication.
• Menstrual cramps are clearly experienced only by those of menstruating age. These cramps usually occur in the first days of menstruation and do not last more than a few days.
• Stomach cramps after eating a large amount of food quickly, greasy food, foods youre allergic to, etc., can indicate a digestive system reaction.
• Lower back pain that persists might be a sign of kidney stones. See your doctor for advice.
• Pain and burning sensations on urinating or passing stools can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or constipation.
• Muscle spasms can bring about cramps when exercising or swimming.

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Theyre Paired With Heavy Abnormal Bleeding

If your cramping is associated with heavy, abnormal bleeding, that can also be a sign that something more serious is going on. If youre soaking through more than a pad an hour over a two-hour time period, thats abnormal bleeding, warns Dr. Levine. Thats worrisome. Thats not regular period cramps or regular period bleeding.

Period Pain And Fertility

Period pain that’s part of your normal menstrual cycle will not affect your fertility. However, if the cause is a medical condition, this may affect your fertility.

For example, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring and a build-up of tissue in your fallopian tubes, making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilise an egg.

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Tips To Prevent Period Cramps

You cant control whether youll have cramps in a given month. But you can do things to make sure the pain isnt too much to handle. Sticking to your exercise regimen and applying heat as a precaution are both good options.

Dr. Levine says you can also be prevention-minded and preemptively take ibuprofen to reduce the impact of cramps. If you find that your cramps start two days before your period and are really bad for three to four days, taking ibuprofen in that time period can help prevent cramps from getting severe, she says.

Insertion Of A Copper Iud Can Cause Cramps

An IUD is a T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by your doctor. This device is used to prevent pregnancy.

One of the types of these devices is the cooper IUD device that is plastic wrapped in coiled copper. Once inserted, this type of device needs to be replaced every 10 years. The cooper IUD is releasing copper into the uterus, creating an inflammatory response and less friendly environment for the sperms. Cooper IUDs are characterized by heavy bleeding that causes intense cramps in the first six months after insertion.

If you are experiencing symptoms like fever, vomiting, abdominal or pelvic pain, bloody stools you should seek medical help.

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What Helps With Cramps

Here are a some things that can help ease cramps:

• 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.

• Hormonal birth control .

• Acupuncture and acupressure.

• Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation therapy that uses mild electric currents to stimulate your nerves to relieve pain.

• 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:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease an infection in your reproductive organs.

• Endometriosis a condition where the lining of your uterus grows outside of your uterus.

• Adenomyosis when the tissue that lines your uterus grows into the muscle wall of your uterus.

• Uterine fibroids non-cancerous tumors that grow inside your uterus, in the walls of your uterus, or on the outside of your uterus.

Coping With Period Pain

There are a number of simple ways to ease the discomfort.

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Carry Personal Heating Pads

There are several heating pads that can be attached to the abdominal region and activated with a slight push.

These are the best heating pads for menstrual cramps you can try.Pick anyone that suits you.

They are so sleek that they are not detectable over the clothes. You can attach it to the abdomen or keep it in under pockets to soothe the cramps.

Heating the region relaxes the muscles and makes menstrual flow a simpler affair.

Ensure that the region does not get over heated as it might burn the skin or cause redness.

Treatment Of Period Pain

There is a range of medicines you can take to help with period pain.

Pain relief medication: Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen, mefanamic acid or naproxen stop the body from producing prostaglandins. They are available over the counter from a pharmacy but they may not be suitable for everyone so speak to your pharmacist for advice first. You can also take paracetamol for mild cramps. Stronger pain killers containing codeine are only available with a prescription from a doctor.

Other treatments: Some women find that a heat pack, gentle exercise, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or acupuncture helps control the pain.

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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.

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.

Are Cramps Normal During Early Pregnancy

Stomach cramps during early pregnancy are relatively common. If you get a few stomach cramps during the first trimester of pregnancy, its probably not a cause for alarm. These cramps are typically part of the normal physical changes in the body that occur in preparation for the baby.

Very early in your pregnancy, you may get cramps as well as light bleeding when the embryo is implanted into the wall of the uterus. This process can sometimes lead to implantation cramps and bleeding. As the pregnancy progresses, you may also feel cramping as your uterus changes and stretches to accommodate the baby.

In the following sections, we will talk about the causes of pregnancy cramps and when to call your health care provider.

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Foods To Introduce In Your Diet

Apart from exercise, spices, herbs, heating the area, and other localized remedies, you can also eat specific things during those days in which severe menstrual cramps are bothering you immensly. They have calming properties which will help with the pain.

• Milk you can include a glass of cold or lukewarm milk into your breakfast as it has calcium. Its a good way to deal with the painful cramps. If you dont like to drink milk or are lactose intolerant, you can also take a few calcium tablets every day as long as your period lasts.
• Papaya this delicious and fragrant fruit is rich in an enzyme named after it papain. It both regulates the blood flow and eases the pain during menstruation.
• Carrots they will help you as well during those difficult days, as long as you drink a tall glass of fresh juice every day
• Aloe Vera it reduces the pain and soothes the aching. If you dont like the way it naturally tastes, you can mix it with a little bit of lemon.
• Lavender is an ages old remedy for pain and calming the nerves. It will help all your muscles, your brain, and your heart beat relax and induce a peaceful state.
• Green tea another great soothing agent for pain and discomfort, green tea mixed with some raspberry or jasmine will work wonders on your body.

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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What To Do When Menstrual Cramps Are Severe

The period cramp relief tips above are a good place to start, but they may not work for every woman especially for those who have very painful cramps.

If you’re experiencing serious pain during your period, it’s important to talk to your OB-GYN. She or he will ask you about your symptoms and cycle and can recommend lifestyle changes that may help ease your pain, as well as perform a pelvic exam and prescribe medications, if needed.

“For instance, hormonal birth control medications are sometimes used to treat menstrual cramps and the pain that accompanies a period,” adds Dr. Borchardt.

Plus, in some cases, severe pain may be a sign of something more serious.

“Beyond the significant impact that period pain can have on your everyday life, the cramps themselves aren’t typically a medical concern,” says Dr. Borchardt. “However, severe menstrual cramps can sometimes be caused by a more serious gynecologic condition.”

In certain cases, severe period cramps can be a sign of:

• Endometriosis uterine tissue gets implanted in your fallopian tubes, ovaries or pelvic lining
• Uterine fibroids noncancerous uterine growths that can cause pain
• Adenomyosis uterine tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus
• Pelvic inflammatory disease infection of your uterus, fallopian tube and/or ovaries

What Can Help If My Daughter Has Pms

Your daughter can try these things if she has PMS symptoms:

• To help with food cravings: Eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• To ease bloating: Lower salt in her diet.
• To ease crankiness or anxiety: Avoid caffeine and get plenty of exercise.
• To help with backache, headache, or sore breasts: Try a warm heating pad or acetaminophen , ibuprofen , or naproxen .
• To relax: Try yoga or meditation.
• To prevent and treat pimples: Work with a dermatologist .

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