Knowing how to treat menstrual cramps keeps you prepared for your menstrual cycle before it comes. Menstrual cramps usually comes with a sick feeling in your stomach, weakness in the legs, headaches while others experience pains in the abdominal region, nausea, and flatulence.
Every woman has had her fair share of menstrual cramps and you will agree that you have your feeling of discomfort. Menstrual cramps happen when the muscles of your womb contract and relax to help shed the built-up lining.
What are the factors associated with Menstrual Cramps
You could experience menstrual cramps if you:
1) have a heavy blood flow
2) are having your first child,
3) just starting your period(or under the age of 20)
4) have an overproduction of or sensitivity to prostaglandins, a hormone that influences your womb.
5) develop growth in your womb, endometriosis (abnormal uterine tissue growth),
6) Use birth control pills.
REMEDIES USED TO TREAT MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
The following remedies can help ease your cramps if you put them to use:
1. Applying heat
A 2012 study focused on 147 women 18 to 30 years old who had regular menstrual cycles found that a heat patch at 104°F (40°C) was as effective as ibuprofen. Applying heat to your abdomen and lower back would greatly reduce your menstrual cramps. You could use a hot water bottle or heating pad, and take a warm bath or use a hot towel. The generated heat will dissolve the clots of blood and reduce menstrual cramps. You can also make your heating pad.
2. Massaging with essential oils
Massage therapy can also be used to treat menstrual cramps. This therapy will require that you press specific points like your abdomen, side, and back for some minutes. Applying essential oils during therapy could have additional benefits. Always mix your essential oil with carrier oil. Examples include coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or sweet almond oil.
3. Avoid certain foods
Prevention is better than cure. During menstruation, do well to avoid fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and salty foods. These foods can cause bloating and water retention that heighten menstrual cramps. So please avoid it.
4. Add herbs to your diet
You can use certain herbs to treat your menstrual cramps. This is because these herbs possess anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that experts believe can reduce muscle contractions and swell associated with menstrual pain. Some of them include:
- chamomile tea
- fennel seeds
- pycnogenol
- Cinnamon
- Ginger and dill.
5. Exercise
Your schedule may be so regimented that you don’t have time for exercise. Regular exercises help treat menstrual cramps by releasing endorphins, brain chemicals that promote well-being. So take a walk, try a run, or practice yoga during your period, it will help ease the tightening in your muscles.
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6. Hydrate
During your menstrual period, take 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to ease bloating. You can also add some mint or a lemon wedge to make it more palatable.
7. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Physicians recommend Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for menstrual cramps and heavy menstrual bleeding. The popular ones are ibuprofen (Advil) and Naproxen (Aleve). They can help with menstrual cramps.
If you discover any abnormality in your menstrual flow I.e consistent pain, heavy bleeding and if OTC medication doesn’t work, please see a Doctor!!
