Menstrual Cramps: Period Pain Or Period Cramps
Periods aren’t that bad or painful. Who am I even kidding? We, women, are nothing short of being superheroes when it comes to dealing with pain during different phases of our life. As much as we wish that our periods aren’t as painful as they are hyped to be, they never fail to leave us writhing and curling in pain every single time.
Every 28 days, Let’s just stop there for now. Period cramps are indeed the most exasperating aspects of ‘that time of the month’, but not anymore! We have listed some amazing and effective remedies that can help relieve period cramps and their symptoms naturally. Read on.
Every 28 days, Let’s just stop there for now. Period cramps are indeed the most exasperating aspects of ‘that time of the month’, but not anymore! We have listed some amazing and effective remedies that can help relieve period cramps and their symptoms naturally. Read on.
In This Article:
- What Are Period Cramps?
- What Causes Period Cramps?
- Symptoms Of Period Cramps
- How To Relieve Period Cramps Naturally
- Preventive Tips
- When To Visit A Doctor?
What Are Period Cramps?
Period cramps are medically known as dysmenorrhea. They are mainly caused due to the contraction and relaxation of your uterine muscles that occur during the menstrual cycle.
A few other factors may also decide the severity of your muscle cramps, and they are discussed below.
What Causes Period Cramps?
The following are associated with menstrual cramps:
- Heavy blood flow
- Having your first baby
- Overproduction or sensitivity to a hormone called prostaglandin
- If you are younger than 20 or have just started your periods
Period cramps are most often associated with a dull ache or pain in your lower abdomen or back. The symptoms are discussed below.
Symptoms Of Period Cramps
The common symptoms experienced during period cramps are:
- A throbbing or cramping ache in your lower abdomen
- A dull or constant pain in your lower back
Some women may also experience less common symptoms like
- Headache
- Nausea
- Mild diarrhea
- Fatigue and dizziness
How to Rid of Period Cramps Naturally?
- Heating Pad
- Essential Oils
- Chamomile Tea
- Ginger
- Vitamin D
- Green Tea
- Pickle Juice
- Yogurt
- Epsom Salt
- Fenugreek
- Foot Massage
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Lemon Juice
Home Remedies For Menstrual Cramps
1. Heating Pads
Ingredients:
- A heating pad
Method:
- Take a heating pad or hot water bottle filled with hot water.
- Place this on your lower abdomen and lower back for about 10 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can also soak a clean washcloth in some hot water, wring it and place it on your abdomen and back.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this multiple times daily until you obtain relief.
How Heating Pads Help Relief Period Pain?
Applying heat is one of the most preferred methods to relieve pain and cramps due to its relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects on the affected muscles. In fact, studies have shown that it is almost as effective as taking pain relievers like ibuprofen for reducing menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Therefore, the next time you have menstrual cramps, either place a heating pad on your stomach or simply take a hot shower.
2. Essential Oils
1. Lavender Oil
Ingredients:
- 3-4 drops of lavender oil
- 1-2 teaspoons of coconut or jojoba oil
Method:
- Mix lavender oil with coconut or jojoba oil.
- Apply the mixture to your lower abdomen and back.
- You can also put a few drops of lavender oil in a diffuser and inhale its vapors.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
How Lavender Essential Oil Help Relief Period Pain?
Lavender essential oil is quite effective in treating period cramps due to its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. And inhaling the oil relaxes you and induces sleep.
2. Peppermint Oil
Ingredients:
- 3-4 drops of peppermint oil
- 2 teaspoons of coconut or jojoba oil
Method:
- Mix peppermint oil with coconut or jojoba oil.
- Apply this mixture directly to your lower abdomen and back and massage gently.
- How Often You Should Do This
- You can do this once daily until your period cramps begin to fade.
How Peppermint Oil Help Relief Period Pain?
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is a popular decongestant and has pain and anxiety relieving properties. The wonderful aroma of peppermint can also help in overcoming nausea and headache, which are symptoms of period cramps.
3. Chamomile Tea
Ingredients:
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 cup of hot water
- Honey
Method:
- Soak a chamomile tea bag in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.
- Allow it to cool down a bit and then add some honey.
- Drink this tea daily.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink chamomile tea at least twice daily and a week before getting your periods.
How Chamomile Help Relief Period Pain?
Chamomile is a flowering plant that is quite popular for relieving period cramps. It contains flavonoids that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the pain and inflammation. Chamomile is also a natural antispasmodic and can help in relaxing the uterine muscles.
4. Ginger
Ingredients:
- 1 inch of ginger
- 1 cup of hot water
- Honey
Method:
- Steep an inch of ginger in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes.
- Let it cool for a bit. Add honey to it.
- Drink it up.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink ginger tea thrice a day if you suffer from period cramps.
How Ginger Tea Help Relief Period Pain?
Ginger is one of the best and easiest ways to relieve period cramps. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help in reducing the pain associated with the condition. It also helps cure nausea and calms an upset stomach.
5. Vitamin D
A single large dose of vitamin D was found to bring noticeable relief from menstrual pain and cramps.
Vitamin D can reduce the production of prostaglandin, which causes period cramps. However, since studies are limited, it is better to limit the dosage of vitamin D supplements for this purpose. But you can go ahead and increase your intake of vitamin D via your diet by consuming foods like fish, cheese, egg yolks, orange juice, and cereals.
6. Green Tea
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
- 1 cup of water
- Honey
Method:
- Add the green tea leaves to a cup of water and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes and strain it.
- Allow it to cool a bit and add some honey for flavor.
- Consume it.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink green tea 3 to 4 times daily.
How Green Tea Help Relief Period Pain?
Green tea contains flavonoids called catechins that give it its medicinal properties. Green tea is a natural antioxidant and also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with period cramps.
7. Pickle Juice
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of pickle juice
Method:
- Drink half a cup of pickle juice.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this once a day, preferably right after you experience menstrual cramps.
How Pickle Juice Help Relief Period Pain?
Pickle juice, with its high sodium content, is an amazing remedy that not only rehydrates you but also relieves period cramps. It is known to relieve muscle cramps post-exercise quickly and is hence effective for menstrual cramps as well.
Caution: Avoid taking pickle juice on an empty stomach.
8. Yogurt
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
Method:
- Consume a bowl of plain yogurt.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this 3 to 4 times daily when you are on your period.
How Yogurt Helps Relief Period Pain?
Yogurt is a rich source of calcium and contains trace amounts of vitamin D. The intake of both calcium and vitamin D helps reduce the symptoms of PMS and relieves period cramps.
9. Epsom Salt
Ingredients:
- 1-2 cups of Epsom salt
- Bathwater
Method:
- Add a cup or two of Epsom salt to a warm bath.
- Soak in the bathwater for 15-20 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this 2 or 3 days before your periods begin.
How Epsom Salt Helps Relief Period Pain?
Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. The magnesium in the salt is responsible for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. When Epsom salt is absorbed via your skin, it can help relieve period cramps and pain.
10. Fenugreek
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds
- 1 glass of water
Method:
- Soak the fenugreek seeds in a glass of water overnight.
- Consume it on an empty stomach in the morning.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this mixture once every morning, a couple of days before your periods begin.
How Fenugreek seeds Help Relief Period Pain?
Fenugreek seeds contain compounds like lysine and tryptophan-rich proteins, which account for a majority of its therapeutic properties. Fenugreek is quite popular for its analgesic and pain relieving properties, which can help reduce period cramps.
11. Foot Massage
Your foot has a pressure point that can help you in getting immediate relief from period cramps. This point is usually located about three finger widths above your ankle bone. Gently massaging this point with your thumb and fingers can help relieve period cramps and their symptoms like bloating, insomnia, and dizziness. This massage is known as reflexology or zone therapy.
12. Aloe Vera Juice
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice
Method:
- Consume aloe vera juice daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Start drinking aloe vera juice once a day, a few days before your period begins.
How Aloe Vera Help in Relieving Period Pain?
The healing and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera help in relieving painful period cramps. It can also help in improving blood flow, which, in turn, reduces the intensity of the cramps.
13. Lemon Juice
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 glass of water
- Honey
Method:
- Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water and mix well.
- Add some honey to it and drink.
How Often You Should Do This
Have lemon juice once every morning on an empty stomach.
How Lemon Juice Helps in Relieving Period Pain?
The anti-inflammatory properties of lemon help in providing relief from period cramps. It is also rich in vitamin C, which helps with iron absorption (that is often lost during menstruation) and is good for your reproductive system.
Apart from using these remedies, you can also follow the tips mentioned below to address the symptoms.
Tips & Precautions:
- Have a healthy and balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Consume less of sweet and salty foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Take less stress.
- Do not smoke.
- Practise meditation and yoga poses like Child’s Pose, Savasana, and Knees-to-chest Pose.
- Drink plenty of water and fresh juices to keep yourself hydrated.
- You can also undergo acupuncture treatment to get relief from period cramps if necessary.
Inspite of using the home remedies and following the tips, if you do not obtain relief, visit a doctor immediately. Listed below are a few scenarios that require medical attention.
When To Visit A Doctor?
You need to visit a doctor if:
- You are pregnant.
- Your pain is worsening.
- The menstrual cramps last longer than usual.
- You develop a fever.
- All your symptoms worsen and are more frequent.
Additionally:
In addition to following the remedies and tips mentioned in this article, you need to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly to avoid the condition. Don’t allow period cramps to interrupt your day to day life. Which of these remedies worked for you? Do let us know in the comments section below.
FAQs
1. What are the best medicines for period cramps?
If you are suffering from period cramps, your doctor may prescribe medicines like ibuprofen. However, you can try any of the remedies mentioned in this article for relief.
2. Why am I having cramps but no period?
Cramps usually begin a day or two before your period starts and last until the second day. However, in some cases, cramps can be a result of pregnancy, a ruptured cyst or an underlying medical condition.
3. How to stop period cramps at school?
If you experience cramps at school or while you are out, you can reduce their intensity by doing the following:
- Gently press at a pressure point below your abdomen that is usually about four finger widths below your navel.
- Breathe deeply to increase the level of oxygen in your blood.
- Gently massage your lower back and abdomen.
4. Why do I have cramps even though I am not pregnant or on my period?
Cramps can occur even if you do not have periods or aren’t pregnant. As mentioned earlier, medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, a ruptured ovarian cyst, etc. might cause cramps.
5. Does chocolate help with period cramps?
Yes, you will be thrilled to know that chocolate can help with period cramps in many ways. While the magnesium in chocolate can relieve the cramps and increase your energy, the endorphins or ‘happy hormones’ can make your mood better. Also, dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants and are hence great for your overall health.
6. What is the difference between period cramps and pregnancy cramps?
While period cramps usually last for just 3 or 4 days, pregnancy cramps can begin early in the pregnancy and often last from weeks to months.
7. What are the best sleeping positions for period pain?
The best sleeping position for period cramps is the fetal position. Sleeping in the fetal position not only reduces the blood flow but also relaxes the muscles around your abdomen, which results in lesser pain and cramps.