More than 80% of the women face menstrual cramps at some point in their life, and more than half the percentage of women endure the pain equivalent to a heart attack every month for 2-3 days. We all know what a menstrual cycle is. It is when a woman goes through a process that involves shedding blood covering their uterus for 4-5 days a month. We, women, face this ominous pain while going to work, school, doing household chores, and what not. To help you feel relieved from this excruciating pain, I have come with 15 ways to feel better at this time.
So here are 15 ways to relieve menstrual cramps
1. Heat
Using a hot water bag or an electric heating pad is considered one of the most reliable and trusted ways to reduce the pain of menstruation cramps. Heat alleviates the pain by relaxing the muscles of the uterus with improved blood flow. You can also apply heat to your body by taking a hot shower or a hot towel soaked in hot water.
2. Exercise Regularly
Exercising daily for half an hour is proven to be beneficial for relieving menstrual cramps. When blood does not flow consistently through your uterus, excess blood can pool in the uterine veins, causing them to bulge significantly. However, regular exercising increases the blood circulation resulting in zero cramps.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
You won’t believe maintaining a healthy diet by avoiding certain foods can help cure period cramps. Foods including dairy-based products, salty, high fat, and high carbs should be avoided as they may cause bloating and inflammation, making the cramps more painful.
4. Drink More Water
Always drink around 8-10 glasses of water as it helps to avoid dehydration, which is an ultimate cause of menstrual cramps. Plus, it assists with bloating, which causes period pain. Drinking hot water enhances blood flow throughout your body while relaxing your muscles.
5. Avoid Caffeine
At this time of the month, refrain from drinking caffeine as it narrows down the blood vessels. It reduces blood flow to your uterus, potentially increasing menstrual pain. You can replace caffeinated drinks with water, herbal tea, or decaf beverages.
6. Massage
Massage your belly for 5 minutes a few days before your periods. It increases blood flow and relieves stress, making you feel better. It offers the benefit of a pain-free period, but you will also notice a decrease in water retention, relaxation, and a release of muscular tension.
7. Reduce Stress
When you are anxious or stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol, which causes muscle contractions in your uterus to increase. Try meditating and getting enough sleep to reduce cortisol levels. Physical exercising and meditating are proven to be stress relievers as they improve the quality of work.
8. Try Acupuncture
With the use of needles, certain parts of the body called acupoints are being targeted, which results in relieving muscles causing menstrual cramps. This technique is considered a better option than using medicines to ease the pain. Acupressure, a similar process involving putting pressure on certain parts, relieves the pain of cramps.
9. Herbs
In the earlier days, herbs functioned as pain relievers at this period. Ginger works as a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to reduce levels of compounds causing pain. Dissolve it in tea or hot water during times of period pain. Zinc and black cohosh are also utilized for menstrual pain relief.
10. Birth Control
Using birth control helps by reducing the pain as it thins the inner lining of the uterus, resulting in less blood flow and ultimately more comfort. Plus, it reduces the number of prostaglandins, which are the molecules that cause your uterine muscles to contract violently. But to make it work, you are required to use the pills regularly.
11. OTC Medications
The best OTC or Over The Counter medications considered are Non-Steroidal Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They function by reducing the blood flow during the period. It accomplishes this by lowering prostaglandins, the hormones that induce period pain and increased flow.
12. Have an Orgasm
Science suggests that orgasm helps relieve pain as the vaginal orgasm involves your whole body. It triggers your brain to release hormones known as endorphins, which decrease pain perception. It also aids in stress relief and the release of endorphins in the body, improving relaxation and allowing you to sleep better.
13. Soak in a Tub
Take a hot bath in a tub. It provides warmth to your abdomen and the pelvic region, thus relaxing the muscles. To increase the effect, you can also add essential lavender, sage, or rosemary oil supplements. A 15-20 minute bath can help relieve the excruciating pain of menstruation.
14. Dietary Supplements
Consume supplements with essential vitamins and calcium, omega 3, magnesium, vitamin D and E. The consumption of vitamin D and calcium helps to relieve inflammation. To avail the best effect, consume these supplements regularly only after consulting your physician.
15. Make Ginger Your Best Friend
Ginger is a miraculous plant that may successfully relieve menstruation cramps. This herb is important in decreasing the amounts of pain-causing prostaglandins. It also aids in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome tiredness and can help regularize irregular cycles.
If your discomfort interferes with your capacity to function or lasts more than two or three days, contact a healthcare professional. They can help you figure out what is causing you severe cramps and offer a treatment plan to keep the discomfort at bay.
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