How to get rid of menstrual cramps? Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea or period pains. It causes painful sensations in the lower abdomen that can occur both before and during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Menstruation is a natural process in a woman’s life. But the pain can be slight or sometimes extremely severe which disrupts regular activities.
Period pain can come in different forms. Most of the women complain about cramping, bloating, mood swings and excessive bleeding during menstrual. More than half of women suffer from menstrual pain, mostly unaware that natural remedies can stop Stomach and Back pain during periods.
Contents
What Are The Two Types Of Menstrual Cramps?
- Primary Menstrual Cramps – This is the most common type of period pain. It is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen (Stomach) and lower back pain. This pain starts 1-2 days before the period and lasts from 2-4 days. There is no underlying health condition which causes this pain
- Secondary Menstrual Cramps – This type of period pain occurs due to an identifiable health condition which could be endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
What Are The Risk Factors for Menstrual Cramps (Stomach/Back pain)
Around 50% of women suffer from menstrual cramps and 15-20% of women complain of severe pain. The study shows that a woman who doesn’t exercise is more at risk to experience painful menstrual cramps.
Emotional stress is also one of the psychological factors for having uncomfortable menstrual cramps. Women who attained puberty at the age of 11 or before are also at more risk to suffer from painful periods.
Apart from this, women who have never given birth, are younger than 20 years of age, or have heavy bleeding during periods could be the risk factor for uncomfortable menstrual cramps.
What Are The Symptoms of Menstrual Cramps?
If you have uncomfortable periods, you may go through the following symptoms.
- Pain in the lower back and thighs
- Dull, throbbing, cramping pain in the lower abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Diarrhoea
- Loose stools
- Constipation
- Bloating in the belly area
- Headaches
Why do Menstrual Cramps Happen?
To know why menstrual cramps occur, you should know the process first. During every period, the uterus contracts to expel its lining if there is no sperm to fertilize.
The release of a hormone called prostaglandins in this process is associated with pain and inflammation at higher levels. These contractions in the uterus cause you cramps.
In another way, if the uterus contracts are too strong, it can press against nearby blood vessels, cutting off the oxygen supply to the muscle tissue of the uterus. When the supply of oxygen cuts from the muscle that results in pain.
Another reason behind menstrual cramps is Women with delayed sleep phase syndrome. There are a few underlying medical conditions which can cause menstrual cramps like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), etc.
10 Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps
If you are suffering from period pain, then try the below home remedies for quick pain relief.
1. Essential Oils Massage
According to a study published in May 2012 in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research massaging with essential oils can stop pain during a menstrual cramp. Essential oil massage can reduce the duration of the period of pain by 30%.
- You can use a mixture of diluted essential oils from the end of one period to the beginning of the next.
- Take Lavender, clary sage, and marjoram essential oils in a 2-1-1 ratio. Dilute the essential oils to a 3 per cent concentration overall in an unscented cream.
- Make a mixture of 3 millilitres (ml) of essential oils to 97 ml of an unscented cream.
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2. Heating Pad
Topically applied heat is a very useful home remedy for period pain. Applying a heating pad is as good as ibuprofen for menstrual cramps.
- Apply a heating pad to your lower back and abdomen until you feel better.
- It helps to relax the contracting muscles in the uterus.
- You can take a hot shower which may help to get rid of pain and make you feel more relaxed.
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3. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a good natural medicine for menstrual cramps. It contains glycine, an amino acid that is used to relieve muscle spasms. Chamomile also helps to relax the uterus and gives you relief from menstrual pain.
- Take one chamomile tea bag and steep in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- If you don’t like the taste, you can add some lemon and honey to it.
4. Bananas
Menstrual cramps can occur due to potassium deficiency and taking foods rich in potassium help to get rid of the period of pain. Bananas are one of the most abundant sources of potassium which stops period pain.
You can eat foods that contain high amounts of potassium including leafy greens like spinach, dried fruits like prunes, and white beans like lima beans to get relief from menstrual pain.
5. Ginger
Ginger is a beneficial home remedy to stop Period pain. It helps to reduce pain-causing prostaglandins. This remedy also helps to make irregular periods regular.
- Make tea by boiling grated ginger in water for 5 minutes.
- Add honey and lemon juice to it after straining.
- Drink this remedy three times a day during your menstrual cycle.
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6. Cinnamon
Another good remedy to get rid of period pain. It has antispasmodic, anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce period pain.
Cinnamon is an excellent source of dietary fibre, calcium, iron, and manganese which help in relieving menstrual pain.
- Take one-fourth teaspoon of cinnamon powder and boil in a cup of water for 5 minutes. You can add honey for taste. Take this remedy just one day before your period starts.
- During the first day of your menstrual cycle, you can drink a cinnamon and honey mixture. Add a half teaspoon of cinnamon and honey in one cup of hot water. Drink this mixture 2-3 times a day.
7. Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses is another excellent remedy for menstrual cramps relief. It is a good source of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and vitamin B6 which helps to reduce blood clots and relax the uterus.
- Take a cup of milk and add one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses.
- Drink this remedy as soon as you start having cramps until you get rid of menstrual cramps.
8. Basil
Basil is a very effective natural herb for getting rid of menstrual cramps and Pain treatment. It contains caffeic acid which has analgesic, or pain-killing properties and helps to get rid of menstrual cramps.
- Make a herbal basil tea by adding one teaspoon of basil leaves into one cup of hot boiling water. Cover it well and let it cool down. Drink this remedy every 2-3 hours.
- Extract two teaspoons of juice from fresh basil leaves and mix with one cup of hot water. Drink this remedy 3-4 times a day to get fast relief from menstrual cramps.
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9. Papaya
The simplest remedy to reduce menstrual Stomach or Back pain. Papaya contains nutrients like carotene, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C that help relax the uterine walls and ease muscle contractions.
- Eat papaya just before and during your menstrual period.
10. Parsley
Another useful natural herb for Stomach pain relief during the period. It has compounds like apiol and myristicin, which are highly effective at stimulating the menstrual process and stopping menstrual cramps.
- Take one-fourth cup of fresh parsley and pour one cup of boiling water.
- Let it steep for five minutes and strain the solution.
- Drink this home remedy twice a day during menstruation to ease period pain.
Painful periods (Menstrual Cramps) with Blood Clots
Blood Clotting during menstruation can also cause menstrual cramps in a woman. Blood clots usually don’t cause you any problems but sometimes massive bleeding can lead to painful periods.
Your body releases typically anticoagulants which keep menstrual blood from clotting. But if you are suffering from massive and blood is being rapidly expelled. In this case, anticoagulants don’t have enough time to work which causes blood clots.
Note: If you are having excessive clotting or clots larger than a quarter during period, you should see your doctor.
- Also Read:Â 10 Natural Ways to Postpone Periods
Yoga Exercise & Sleep to Get Rid Of Period Pain
- Exercise – Doing a light workout daily can help to get rid of menstrual Back of stomach pain and also help regulate irregular cycles. Exercise strengthens your body and gets you prepared for the period. It stretches the muscles and tissues that might be cramping and causing pain. Daily exercise also relaxes you from stress which can cause hormone disturbance. Â Jogging or a long walk is an excellent way to stop menstrual pain.
- Yoga to ease menstrual pain – Doing yoga daily is very beneficial for reducing menstrual pain. Yoga offers exercise, stretching, relaxation time, and meditation. It can also help regulate the irregular period cycle.
- Sleep – Sleeping is a good way to reduce stress and avoid hormone disturbance. It is a vital component of pain reduction. It is recommended that a woman suffering from menstrual pain should get more than 8 hours of sleep just one week before her menstruation.
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Ayurvedic Medicine for Menstrual/Periods Pain Relief
- Pradarantak Churna – It is a very beneficial ayurvedic medicine for ovarian cysts and is also useful for the treatment of painful menstrual cramps. Take one tablespoon of this churna twice daily with plain water.
- Shatavari Powder – This powder is used to relieve pains and controls blood loss during menstruation. Take two tablespoons of this powder by mixing it with a cup of milk.
- Divya Stri Rasayan Vati – Another wonderful herbal remedy that gives quick relief from discomfort felt during the menstrual period. This remedy is made by Baba Ramdev, especially for menstrual cramps and stomach pain relief.
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I feel icthy after taking a bath,,what can i do to get rid of the situation?
there can be many reasons for you to feel itchy after taking bath. You might allergic to the soap, shampoo or other cosmetics you use. please consult with doctor meanwhile you can massage with olive oil or coconut oil.
my problem is—i feel so much pain in those days all time and i can’t sleep,walk or any work.
on the other side my friends feel the pain for two days but I feel the pain for four days or five days.
I can’t understand.
I also feel pain in my legs,back and head also.
what I should do in those days????
please tell me how I overcome this..
I am 17 years old only.
Hi Safia, You can use our natural remedies to reduce pain. Consult with a doctor to see if there is any underlying health problem.
I feel pain in my thighs ..legs.. And lower abdomen on first day of my periods..What should I do ?
You can use our remedy to reduce that pain. But it looks like you need to do a check up why you are having pain in your thighs and legs. Most of the time it happens because of weakness and low Hb.