What To Do When Period Cramps Are Really Bad

Follow A Healthy Diet High In Fiber And Essential Fats

During menstruation, it is advisable to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Craving for junks during menstruation is a result of hormonal changes of the estrogen and progesterone getting reduced. This is how to stop cramps during periods, a well-balanced diet can help fight against cramps and keep your body healthy. It is advisable to eat fruits and other foods high in fiber and essential fats, and dont forget about boron and calcium during this period. Some of the prescribed foods for consumption are as follows:

• Broccoli: this food has a high fiber content that can help fight against menstrual symptoms. It has various nutrients such as vitamins, potassium and magnesium. Broccoli can help fight against bloating since it is very high in water.
• Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, soy, sesame seeds, almonds are rich in calcium. Calcium can help reduce period muscle cramps.
• Salmon, walnuts, avocado, pumpkin and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce muscle cramps during menstruation.

How To Recognise Severe Period Pain

Women who suffer from severe period pain often find that it impacts dramatically on their daily lives, causing them to miss work, school or social events. Sever period pain can be recognised as a stabbing, shooting, searing, pulsing pain which often lasts longer than the one or two days expected with period pain.

Severe period pain can often induce other physical reactions such as vomiting or fainting and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as severe fatigue. It cant be quelled using regular pain relief methods and is usually caused by an underlying condition such as endometriosis or PCOS.

Follow Proper Diet Plan

Every woman during her periods has a craving for food that she loves. The food you generally crave for is mostly sweet or fried. You can have them because it is important to stay happy during the periods.

But unfortunately, these stuff cannot help to diminish your pain as such. These instead have a poor physiological performance to relieve period cramps.

During periods, there is high level of inflammation and the internal genitals remain pliable and vulnerable to infection. With a proper diet plan, you can efficiently combat these.

While you are outside home, you really cant do much with diet. But when you are at home, diet is perhaps the best option to reach out to when it comes to combating pain.

You can try out multiple eatables and drinks that have proven scientific results for the reduction of period cramps.

Omega 3 fatty acid is extremely good. Omega 3 fatty acids counteract the effects of prostaglandins and prevent its excessive release. Prostaglandins is the ultimate inflammatory substance of the body.

Hence, omega 3 fatty acid reduces the inflammation and the subsequent pain of periods.

Beans, almonds, dark leafy vegetables, and marine fishes contain plenty of omega 3 fatty acids. So, you can include these in your diet.

You can have plenty of spinach, beet roots as well. All these green leafy vegetables contain plenty of magnesium and vitamin B6 that help to keep away the nausea feeling.

Read Also: Can You Donate Blood While Menstruating

Also Check: How To Make Your Period Start Later

What Are Treatments For Severe Period Pain

If your period pain is primary dysmenorrhea and you need medical treatment, your health care provider might suggest using hormonal birth control, such as the pill, patch, ring, or IUD. Another treatment option might be prescription pain relievers.

If you have secondary dysmenorrhea, your treatment depends upon the condition that is causing the problem. In some cases, you may need surgery.

Get Yourself A Heating Pad

Heat is essential. Studies have established that applying constant heat at areas with cramps, reduces the severity of the pain.

Disposable heating wraps are subtle and easier to maintain, as it is placed under your clothes. The heat also lasts a few hours, which is convenient. MenstruHeat is one such heat patch you can get!

Dont Miss: Signs To Know Your Period Is Coming

You May Like: What Does Spotting After Period Mean

Your Diet Is Not Good

We just talked about prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and their role in menstrual cramps. But what causes your body to produce them in large amounts? Much of it has to do with your diet.

A diet full of vegetable oils, refined grains, sugar, and alcohol is almost guaranteed to make your periods miserable. Because of the ways these foods damage your cells, disrupt your hormones, and interfere with cell communication, these foods will send your immune system into a firestorm. And that means prostaglandins and pain.

Alcohol is especially problematic for women with painful periods because it reduces the livers ability to detoxify estrogen and toxins. Did you know that havingjust 2 drinks per daycan double the amount of estrogen in your body?! As shown in the diagram above, estrogen increases PGE2 by stimulating the COX-2 enzyme.

Having too much estrogen will also cause heavy periods, sore breasts, bloating, moodiness, and pretty much all of the things that we hate about periods in the first place! So nix the booze until youve made enough progress in your healing, okay?

Want to get real help now?Join our Body Bliss program and break free from period pain.

How To Relieve Menstrual Cramps While You Are At Home

Recent scientific research has backed the fact that pain of period cramps can be as severe as the pain felt during a mild stroke. This enormous and nerve wrecking pain of menstrual cramps is unimaginable.

The onset of the pain and cramps starts even before the actual bleeding. Cramps are one of the most common symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome .

Also Check: How Do I Slow Down My Period Bleeding

Read Also: Can You Get Aids From Period Blood

Natural Cramp Cures That Actually Work

Put those pain meds away.

Raise your hand if you’re popping pain meds basically every day of your period. Yeah, same.

Wish you could cut your Advil habitat least in half? I got your back: There are actually tons of natural cures for cramps that can ease your intense aches , sans chemicals.

Try these tactics next time the red tide rolls in.

More From Women’s Health

How Do You Know Which Type You Have

Primary dysmenorrhoea is much more common than secondary dysmenorrhoea. However, because the period pain of secondary dysmenorrhoea can be severe and linked with serious health conditions, itâs important to be aware of whatâs ânormalâ and whatâs not when it comes to period pain.

Itâs also important to know when itâs okay to manage the pain on your own, and when itâs better to reach out for extra help.

You May Like: Can Your Period Flush Out Bv

Yoga Position # : Reclining Twist

Your lower back and lower belly will both benefit from the reclining twist position.

First, lie flat on your back. Bend your left knee, and then lower it to the right side. Look to your left, and reach your arms out wide, your palms flat against the ground. You will want to stay here for five or more breaths.

Extend your left leg back to the ground, and repeat the pose with your right leg bending to the right. This pose should relax your back, hips, and shoulders. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each side.

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.

Don’t Miss: Why Am I Having Irregular Periods

Your Thyroid Is Out Of Whack

Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It makes thyroid hormone, which provides the spark for bodily functions like digestion, generation of body heat, detoxification and ovulation. Every single cell in your body needs thyroid hormone.

The most common thyroid problem is when the gland is underactive, which is called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism interferes with ovulation, which means youll be making less progesterone. And remember that low progesterone promotes inflammation.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. Unfortunately many women with hypothyroidism never get diagnosed because the standard screening test doesnt show the whole picture. I always recommend a complete thyroid panel that includes TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.

When Should You Contact Your Healthcare Provider About Menstrual Cramps

Bad cramps keep some women from working and going to school. You dont have to suffer and you dont have to put your life on hold. Contact your healthcare provider if you have painful periods.

It may be helpful to keep track of your periods and the days on which pain is the worst so you can make a complete report. If you notice other symptoms, like headaches or heavy flows, you should keep track of those, too.

Your provider will probably ask you when you started getting your period, how long they last, if you are sexually active, if other women in your family have problems with their periods and what kinds of treatments you might have tried already.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Menstruation is normal. You might get cramps, but you dont have to suffer silently with them. There are ways to make painful periods less painful. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about painful periods.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/20/2020.

References

Recommended Reading: Can I Get Pregnant A Week After My Period

Use Foods Against Menstrual Pain

• Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is a more natural way to fight cramps from the inside. If you find yourself eating lots of junk food, especially leading up to your period, you may want to reach for healthier choices. Stay away from processed and fatty foods like sweets, pasta, cheese, and white bread instead, go for items like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

Dont Miss: Does Birth Control Make Periods Less Painful

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.

Read Also: How To Make Period End Faster

How Do I Know If My Cramps Are Severe

Menstrual cramps feel like a throbbing or cramping pain in your lower abdomen. You may also feel pressure or a continuous dull ache in the area. The pain may radiate to your lower back and inner thighs.

Cramps usually begin a day or two before your period, peaking around 24 hours after your period starts. They typically last for two to three days.

Menstrual cramps can be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

• spotting between periods

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.

Don’t Miss: Period Cramps Vs Early Pregnancy Cramps

Endometriosis Can Occur In Teens And Early 20s

The periods also caused heavy bleeding, cramping, vision issues and nausea. She had a history of irregular periods, but this was something different. A laparoscopic surgical procedure diagnosed endometriosis.

Endometriosis is most commonly diagnosed in patients 25 to 35, said S. Paige Hertweck, M.D., pediatric and adolescent gynecologist treating patients to age 21 at Norton Childrens Gynecology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. But it can be diagnosed in adolescents.

Endometriosis is caused when the uterine lining, the endometrium, grows beyond the uterus. It can be found on the outside of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and even in the pelvic cavity. These growths cause pain that can be severe, especially during menstruation. Other common symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis, pain with intercourse and, especially during the menstrual period, pain going to the bathroom, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea.

Many young patients push severe pain to the side, thinking that its just a normal part of periods, Dr. Hertweck said. But its extremely important to talk to your medical provider to avoid issues in the future, including pain that gets worse, and infertility.

An Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What it is: You get long-term swelling and irritation in different parts of your digestive tract. It happens when something goes haywire in your immune system. It isnât the same as irritable bowel syndrome . Crohns can affect any part of your digestive tract . Ulcerative colitis involves only the large intestine .

What the cramps feel like: It depends on the type of IBD you have. With Crohns, youâll feel cramps and pain in the right lower or middle parts of your belly. They can be mild to severe. If you have ulcerative colitis, the cramps will be on the lower left side of your stomach.

Other symptoms: Which ones you have depend on the specific type of IBD. They include:

Also Check: Good Foods To Eat On Your Period

Uterine Defects: Structural Oddities That Can Lead To Menstrual Cramps And Infertility Too

While a female fetus is still in its mothers uterus, its own uterus develops from two structures known as Müllerian ducts. In some cases, the uterus does not form correctly, which can cause infertility, period pain, and painful intercourse. For women with structural anomalies such as a bicornuate uterus , septate uterus , unicornuate uterus , uterus didelphys menstrual cramps stem from blockages and membranes dividing the uterus and .

Treating Underlying Health Conditions

Sometimes, severe period pain is the result of an underlying health condition. In these cases, receiving treatment for the condition may help alleviate period pain.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow in areas outside of the uterine cavity. This tissue bleeds and swells at the same time as the monthly period.

Some symptoms of endometriosis

• chronic lower back and pelvic pain
• pain during or after sex
• painful bowel movements

These methods may not be able to stop period pain permanently, but they can work quickly.

Females who would prefer fast-acting pain relief for their period pain can try:

• applying a hot water bottle or heat pad to their abdomen
• taking a warm bath or shower
• lightly massaging the area
• using relaxation techniques, such as practicing gentle yoga or Pilates
• using a transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation device, which delivers a mild electrical current to the abdomen to reduce pain
• gently exercising

When possible, preventing period pain before it starts is a good method for managing the menstrual cycle. Females may be able to do this by making certain dietary changes or by quitting smoking.

Don’t Miss: Can You Have A Period If You Are Pregnant

Are Your Periods Getting Heavier Or More Painful

Now, if you told me that your periods were getting heavier and heavier or not heavier but more and more painful, I would begin to think that as each period got worse, there was something going on. So a woman who said, “I just had one of the worst periods of my life.” I’d think, “Fine.” If you said, “My periods are getting worse and worse,” I’d think of two conditions:

So for women who are having really bad periods but they’re getting worse and worse and worse, we have very good therapy for periods, but we may need to do a little investigation. If it’s just the worst period of your life and it’s only this one, it’s probably not going to be so bad next time. And the good news is you’re probably normal.

Possible Complications Of Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps wont cause any other medical complications if you go to see a doctor on time in order to prevent further conditions to occur. It mainly affects your daily activities. Furthermore, if endometriosis is not discovered in time, it may cause fertility problems. The pelvic inflammatory disease can increase the risk of a fertilized egg implanting outside of the uterus,

Dont Miss: Can Fibroids Come Out During Period

Don’t Miss: Reasons My Period Could Be Late