Painful menstruation happens to some women on a monthly basis. When cramps become severe, you may be unable to focus at work, experience severe mood swings, be unable to stand up straight or walk properly, lose your appetite, and experience other forms of discomfort. While you may feel that you have to just put up with the pain, there are solutions that are worth seeking. Here are some tips to get rid of period pain and make that time of the month much easier.
What Causes Menstrual Pain?
Menstrual pain is sometimes inherited. When you have a family history of period pains, you are most likely to experience it too. Chat with your mom or female relatives about their experience with menstrual cramps. If they’ve found a solution, or received a diagnosis from their doctor about their period pain, that may be able to help you find relief as well.
It may be hard to believe, but some women have no cramps when they menstruate. Some never had pain in their teens and 20s but the discomfort began in their 30s and beyond. You can’t predict how your body’s hormones, particularly prostaglandins, will react or how much uterine contraction you’ll suffer, but you can take efforts to get rid of your period pain.
Drink Lots of Water
There is evidence that women experience a decrease in appetite while they are menstruating; nonetheless, it is important to remember to drink plenty of water even if you are unable to consume large meals. Lukewarm water helps a lot. It is recommended that you drink no less than eight glasses of water every day in order to assist in the process of feeling better.
Exercise
It doesn’t have to be a rigorous exercise (because, let’s face it, most of us don’t feel at all like being active during our periods). Simple aerobic workouts can go a long way in making you feel better during menstruation, though. Some good examples of aerobic exercises are dancing to your favorite songs, taking a long walk, jogging, and biking. A study carried out in 2018 shows that period pain can be reduced in women that exercised for at least 30 minutes, 3 days per week for two months.
Massage
Gently massaging your lower abdomen with the tip of your fingers can help relieve period pain. You might need to have someone do this for you while you’re lying on your back. Period pain is most commonly felt on the back and lower abdomen; applying gentle pressure to the muscles around these areas can help alleviate menstruation pain.
Use a TENS Machine
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applies a low-voltage electrical current in treating pain. The electrode patches are attached to the skin of your lower abdomen where you feel the cramps, and the intensity is adjusted to make you feel better.
Livia’s smart wave uses a blocking technology to treat pain, and as seen on https://finvsfin.com/ovira-vs-livia/, the central nervous system is kept engaged by gentle micro-pulses which distracts them from receiving period cramp signals. This gadget acts as a distraction to the central nervous system, which means you will experience a uterine contraction but the signal will not reach the neural system, and so the contraction will not be interpreted as pain.
Take a Warm Bath
You would also agree that this is not the time for cold showers. Soaking yourself in a warm bathtub or having a warm bath provides your back and lower abdomen with enough warmth, great for relaxation. You can put a few drops of essential oils in the warm bath while you soak yourself in there for at least 15 minutes.
If you can’t get into the tub, try a hot water bottle on your back or abdomen. The heat can help your muscles to relax and to alleviate the pain of the cramps.
Take a Painkiller
Taking a pain reliever the night before your period starts can help ease the cramps. There are many pain relievers on the market, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen are the best. Don’t be tempted to take too much of these drugs because there are side effects if you do, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Natural or homeopathic remedies such as Cyclease PMS by Boiron may also help get rid of period pain. These remedies are less likely to cause side effects than NSAIDs and won’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking. Boiron products are available over-the-counter in most natural health stores and many grocery stores; you can also speak to a naturopath or homeopath about natural PMS remedies.
Improve Your Gut Health
Another cause for menstrual pain can be gut health imbalances. Menstrual pain is linked to our hormones, which are controlled by our body’s microbiome. Woman Today explains, “An imbalanced microbiome is associated with hormonal problems. Too much oestrogen can generate gut-related issues (e.g. bloating, mood swings, fluid retention, PMS). Unnecessary oestrogen becomes toxic for the organism and it impacts hormones’ functioning.”
Taking prebiotics and probiotics may help balance your gut health and get rid of your period pain. Some women have experienced huge results with hormonal imbalances thanks to Plexus’ gut support. Many things in our modern diet can cause poor gut health today, and addressing those factors can have huge health benefits for many of us, including for our hormones.
Speak to a Doctor
Pain during your period is normal, but if it gets intense, you should see a doctor. All of the remedies we’ve talked about so far are things you can do on your own, and they have been shown to help a lot. However, they may not be enough to get rid of your period pain. A doctor will give you a thorough check-up to see if you have any underlying conditions that could be causing the terrible pain. You should also see a doctor if your blood flows too heavily that you have to change your pad every hour.
Get Rid of Your Period Pain
If you experience period pain, it may help to track your cycle so that you are prepared for that time of month. Combining some of the above remedies may give you the most relief. For example, the day before you expect your period to start, take a painkiller or natural remedy. When your period begins, drink lots of water and go for a walk or easy workout, then have a soak in the tub or relax with a book and your TENS machine.
While most of us live such busy days that we are forced to push through any monthly pain, it does help to take some time to take care of yourself. Listen to your body and try to make time for the self-care required at that time of month. This may mean explaining to your spouse (or kids) that you aren’t feeling very well and asking them for help, either with the tips above or with household chores and other tasks.
There is no permanent way to get rid of period pain, as it is a natural experience that comes with the reproductive cycle in a woman. Every month, the unfertilized eggs in your uterus are shed off as blood. While this is happening, the uterus contracts, which is why you feel pain. Some pains are mild and can be controlled with home remedies, while others are severe and need the help of a medical doctor to get them under control.
Moms, wondering how to talk about her period and possible period pain with your daughter? Check out the Whole Story, an awesome video course for moms and daughters that explains everything your daughter needs to know about puberty!
Do you deal with menstrual cramping and discomfort on a regular basis? What helps you get rid of period pain?
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