Why Period Pain Happens And How To Cope With Period Cramps?

“What have I done to deserve this nasty period pain and cramps”? This question must sound familiar to you as you find yourself asking this every month to God. Do you wonder what the reasons for period pain are? And what can you do to get rid of your period cramps? If yes, you’ve come to the right link. Keep reading!

What are the Factors That Causes Period Pain?

The vicious contractions around your abdomen, thighs, and lower back happen because the muscle of your womb contracts and relax to help your uterus shed and rebuild its lining. You may also experience extreme symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and headaches.

Although doctors are not sure, certain factors seem to be obvious reasons for more period pain in some people. Thus, you may be experiencing more period pain than others courtesy to any of the following causes:-

• Heavy menstruation flow
• Young age (below 20)
• Growths in the uterus
• Side-effects of some birth control pills
• Excessive production of prostaglandins
• Endometriosis

7 Period Pain Relief Remedies

The silver lining is that plenty of home remedies and medical help are available to relieve menstrual cramps. Check out these 7 top measures recommended by the experts.

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) Medicines

If you are left with zero patience due to pain and contraction, it’s better not to do trial and error with home remedies. Take the OTC medicines. The OTC pain relief medication for menstrual pain and heavy bleeding controls the prostaglandin in your body, which is the primary factor for period cramps.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) generally taken for period pain relief are Ibuprofen and Feminax Ultra (Naproxen).

2. Drink Lots of Water

This is one of the simplest ways of treating menstrual pain. Bloating makes it difficult to face menstruation cramps. But it is one of the most common side effects of your periods. You can combat bloating by drinking lots of water, relieving you from the intensity of the pain. Drinking water also increases blood flow, which reduces muscle contraction.

3. Massage Regularly

A massage is a therapy for period cramps, especially for women with endometriosis. Massage also reduces uterine spasms as it relaxes the uterus. The massage which you are opting for can be full body to relieve your stress and body stiffness. But it must also be focused on relaxing the stomach area muscles to help you get rid of your period cramps.

To further eliminate your pain, you can rub your belly with essential oils having pain-killer properties such as marjoram, lavender, etc. Creams are available on the market containing the blends of these essential oils.

4. Hormonal Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills can be amongst the top things that may help with period cramps if hormonal imbalance is what is causing you the ordeal. It balances the level of progesterone and estrogen. As a result, the lining of your uterus gets thin and sheds easily. But always take the help of your OB-GYN to choose the right birth control pill.

5. Eat Healthy

Eating healthy and nutritious food is vital to make matters easy for you. Focus on calcium-rich and magnesium-rich food such as dairy products, pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, etc. Steer clear of caffeine in any form and spicy food to avoid inflammation. Substitute your morning and evening latte with a nice herbal tea for period pain relief.

6. Apply Heat

Applying heat to your stomach and back is one of the most popular remedies for relieving menstrual cramps. You can use a heating pad or apply a cloth soaked in warm water. You can take a relaxing bath with warm water. That will relax your entire body. If you want targeted pain relief in no time, you may use the heating patches.

7. Exercise

You may think you are better resting and relaxing with period pain and cramp. However, one of the unexpected things that may help with period cramps is exercising. Your body produces endorphins when you exercise. It’s a chemical which blocks the perception of pain. Exercise also reduces stress which ultimately helps reduce pain. If you feel more comfortable to exercise at home while you’re on your period then take the time to build a small home gym including a yoga mat that helps with stretching, kettlebells that help with back pain etc.

When to Talk to Your OB-GYN?

These 7 tips are good enough to get relief from normal period pain. However, you should see an OB-GYN if the bleeding is heavy and cramps are severe. They can suggest lifestyle changes that may help you get rid of your period pain based on your symptoms. They can also diagnose if an underlying gynaecologist condition is a reason for your period pain.

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Author Bio: Krishma Patel is the Co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist at MedsNow, an online pharmacy in the UK that provides health and wellness products and treatments along with free online consultations. She is passionate about showcasing the integral function community pharmacies can play in supporting the healthcare system and the NHS by providing patients with high-quality, safe, and discreet access to healthcare at their convenience. Along with being the co-founder of MedsNow, Krishma is also the Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist of Enimed Ltd., an independent pharmacy group comprising 32 branches.

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