Here are some home remedies that ease menstrual cramps.
For some women, cramps might interfere with their work, school, and daily activities. About three out of four women experience menstrual pains, and every 1 out of 10 women experiences severe cramps.
To help you get through the monthly, here are some home remedies that ease menstrual cramps.
1. Keep up the exercise:
1.
It is important that you
continue with gentle exercise during your periods. It helps by releasing
beta-endorphins, which are internal Opioids — your own ‘human morphine’.
2.
It is natural to feel
bloated before your periods, if you reduce your salt intake a few days before
your periods it will help your kidneys flush out excess water
3.
This might sound a
little crazy and you might be thinking to yourself, I
can barely move, let alone exercise. However, brisk walking, or any
type of physical activity, can help to ease your belly pain. When you're doing
any type of aerobic exercise, your body is pumping more blood; this helps to
release endorphins to counteract the prostaglandins and reduce your cramps.
Exercising three to four times a week is good for the overall health of your
body, but it is especially important if you're prone to painful menstrual
cramps.
2. Apply
HeatHeat helps to relax the contracting muscles in your uterus, which is the cause for your pain. There are many over-the-counter heating patches and pads, such as ThermaCare, Bengay, or electric, reusable ones. Or, even taking a regular plastic bottle with hot water and applying it to your abdomen is an alternative when you don't have access to a heating pad.
3. Drink Chamomile Tea
A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Chemistry found that there might be pain-relieving properties in this fragrant tea. "This is one of a growing number of studies that provide evidence that commonly used natural products really do contain chemicals that may be of medicinal value," said Elaine Holmes, Ph.D., a chemist with the Imperial College of London. The research found that when 14 participants were given urine samples, their urinary levels had a significant increase in hippurate, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatory drugs help to decrease the prostaglandin production, thus relieving menstrual cramps.
4. Make Sure You're Getting Enough Vitamin D
Prevention is always better than the cure, which is why making sure your body has enough vitamin D is important in preventing menstrual cramps. A study found that high doses of vitamin D3 led to a significant decrease in menstrual cramps. As reported by Health.com, "40 Italian women were split into two groups: one receiving a single oral dose of 300,000 IUs of vitamin D3 and the other getting a placebo five days before the expected start of their menstrual periods." Their pain scored dropped by 41 percent, while those in the placebo group saw no change in their pain scale.
5. Have an orgasm
Yes, that's right — orgasms help to relieve all kinds of pain, including menstrual cramps. Before an orgasm, the uterus is more relaxed, and at the moment of climax, blood flow increases, helping to relieve the cramps. Orgams relieve the pain through the release of endorphins, which help you to feel instantly better. They also help to relax your whole body and induce sleep so you won't feel any cramping at all.
6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves sticking the skin with small needles to stimulate the body at certain points. Researchers from the Oriental Hospital at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea found that acupuncture might have positive effects on menstrual cramps. The study was based on 10 trials with 944 participants. "There was an improvement in pain relief from acupressure compared with a placebo control," according to the study.
7. Dress for Comfort:
Avoid tight clothes, especially at the waist. They only hurt the stomach and further compressing it causes discomfort. Leave that belly alone!
TRY SOME HOME REMEDIES:
- A great pain reliever is the wild yam (Ratalu), its antispasmodic qualities help in making the day that much more bearable. A common question that bothers most women is whether it is safe to take medication to postpone their periods. Here’s the answer to your question on medication for delaying periods.
- Raspberry leaf or jasmine flavored green tea work wonders in calming the body and mind.
- Include a glass of milk in your breakfast. Calcium is a good cure for cramps. If you are not such a ‘milk’ person or are lactose intolerant about 600mg (2-4 tablets) of calcium chewables should do the trick.
- Indulge in generous helpings of papaya during and before your periods. Papaya contains ‘papain’ an enzyme that helps to regulate and helps to ease the flow during menstruation.
- Carrots are not only good for your eyes; they also assist in regulating menstruation. A tall glass of carrot juice can go a long way in making you feel much better. Here are a few other health benefits of carrots.
- Aloe Vera juice with honey is also well known to ease the flow and reducing the pain. Read beauty benefits of aloe vera.
- Avoid red meat and caffeine. They have properties that exacerbate the pain.
- Have a hot shower. Concentrate the flow of water on your back and abdomen. A hot water bag also helps to relieve discomfort.
- Applying lavender oil around your stomach is known to help relieving cramps in just 10 to 15 mins.
- Just remember to be kind to yourself – Relax, read a book, listen to some soft music or chat up with friends. If you feel happy and rejuvenated, your mind will help you fight physical pain.
