Get Relief From Menstrual Cramps With Home Remedies

The time of periods can be complicated. It can either be quite mellow or stormy. Some common problems during periods are mood swings, where you can go from happy to irritated within seconds or feel cranky or constipated. Like the blood flow wasn’t enough!

But the one that tops them all is experiencing period cramps also known as menstrual cramps. There’s no need to be alarmed as menstrual cramps are common, but the intensity can vary. While there are over-the-counter pain medications that doctors prescribe, some home remedies can help you too.

Let’s understand period cramps and the home remedies you can try.

What are Period Cramps?

A menstrual cramp is a throbbing pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, and thigh region while menstruating. The level of pain differs as some can get only mild discomfort, while others may pause their everyday activities for a few days.

What Causes Period Cramps?

Cramps are caused by the result of contractions in the uterus. While menstruating, contractions occur due to the activity of the body’s hormone-like compound called prostaglandins.

Contractions help in shedding the uterus lining, which releases in the form of blood through the vagina.

Some common causes of period cramps are:

• Early puberty (earlier to age 10)
• Heavy bleeding during menstruation
• Age younger than 25
• Family genesis
• Alcohol consumption or smoking
• The problem of extended irregular periods

The Best Home Remedies To Relieve Period Pain

Period cramps can be dreading and have to come no matter what. So, instead of letting them leave affect your life, you can deal with this situation properly.

1.Applying Heat To Blow Away Stomach Pain During Periods

Using a heating pad, wrap, or even a bottle on the lower abdomen can help relieve pain, as it relaxes the contracting muscles of the uterus. Heat patches for period pain also help in relieving intense pain.

If nothing is available at present, don’t worry! Go for a hot shower or warm towel because they work just fine.

2.Staying hydrated for menstrual pain relief

During periods, water helps reduce bloating and relieves menstrual cramps.

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, especially during periods. You can mix it with mint, lemon, ginger, and whatnot to make it enjoyable.
• Drinking juice helps with bloating and hydration too.
• Avoid alcohol completely because it dehydrates the body more.

3.Consuming Nutrient-Rich Diet For Period Pain

Food consumption, like hydration, is very crucial while menstruating. But if you are looking for what food to eat during period, then there are ample options which you can include in your diet. Right food can work wonders on menstrual cramps and mood swings simultaneously.

• Calcium and vitamin C-containing foods like berries, oranges, tomatoes, bell peppers, and squashes help with anti-inflammatory responses and thus help with menstrual pain relief.
• Adding omega-3 fatty acids like flax seeds or fish to your diet helps too.
• Magnesium-rich foods like spinach, almonds, and more relieve menstrual cramps and ease the pain caused by them.
• Consuming vitamin B6-rich foods like brown rice and banana helps reduce bloating.
• Chicken, fish and green leafy vegetables rich in iron are beneficial to consume while menstruating to compensate for the blood loss.
• Consumption of fennel seeds 3 to 4 times a day during or before periods works better as a pain reliever than any drugs.
• Boron in foods like avocado, chickpeas, and peanut butter helps absorb calcium and phosphorus and reduces menstrual cramps.
• Trying ginger as a whole or infused with water has proven effective on menstrual cramps, especially during the first three days of periods.
• Consuming cinnamon during your bleeding days helps regulate smooth blood flow.
• Curcumin, a natural chemical in turmeric, plays an easing role in PMS symptoms and helps reduce menstrual cramps.

Below are a few pointers that highlight what not to eat during period.

4.Food To Avoid For Menstrual Pain Relief

Food plays a major role in changing your dull moods while menstruating, but consuming excessive fatty, sugary, and salty food causes bloating and water retention and makes the process more difficult.

• Fatty foods
• Carbonated drinks
• Caffeine
• Salty foods

We understand nothing makes you feel better than a bag of chips, soda, and a big bucket of ice cream during that time of the month, but consuming them would make your period more painful, and no one wants that.

5.Drink Chamomile Tea for Menstrual Pain Relief

If you are someone, who suffers from severe period cramps every month, this tip is for you.

Chamomile tea has an anti-inflammatory response that helps inhibit the work of prostaglandins and relaxes muscles during a women’s period. So, consuming it every 4-5 hours a day works wonders.

6.Massage With Essential Oils

One of the typical menstrual pain home remedies includes massaging your body with essential oils for 20 minutes. Massaging for the first three days during periods, especially the abdomen, side, and back, helps with the contraction of muscles and promotes smooth blood flow.

Some of the best essential oils for menstrual pain relief are lavender, rose, peppermint, and fennel.

7.Exercise During Periods Helps Reduce Period Pain

We know that you are thinking exercise during menstruation is a no-no! But, believe us exercise works better than many home remedies.

Your body releases endorphins during exercise, which helps relax muscles and inhibits prostaglandin activity in the uterus. There are few light activities or exercises for period pain like walking, jogging, and swimming that works better on period cramp relief. You can also practise a few easy poses of yoga for period pain relief.

Period cramps can be dreading and make those 3-5 days exhausting, but with guidance and support from your loved ones, you can deal with them. Try the home remedies mentioned above to understand what works better for you. We hope they help you have a comfortable period.