Menstrual Cramps: 4 Ways To Help Relieve the Pain

Many women dread that time of the month before it comes due to the symptoms that they have to endure throughout the day, and it can be especially difficult for working women and students who don’t have the luxury of staying home during the days when the symptoms are the hardest.

Menstrual cramps symptoms include cramping pain or throbbing in the lower abdomen, nausea, headaches, dizziness, weakness, irritability, leg and back pain, and more.

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to reduce these painful sensations that women go through on a monthly basis.

Drink More Water and Hot Drinks

Water is known to have a lot of benefits for your body, so it’s no surprise that it helps with menstrual cramps, too. Drinking 8 glasses of water per day will help reduce bloating.

Hot drinks are proven to ease period cramps for women. Drinking chamomile tea is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that prevent prostaglandins, which are released by cells in the endometrium of the uterus that cause the pain coming from cramps and muscle contractions.

Adding cinnamon and ginger to a cup of hot water will also ease the pain of menstrual cramps by reducing bleeding, pain, and nausea. Ginger is a great alternative for ibuprofen as studies have shown that it has the same results on period cramps.

Add Vitamins and Supplements to Your Diet

Taking vitamins such as fish oil, vitamin B1, and vitamin D have shown its power on menstrual cramps and studies have been done to prove that. Vitamin D especially is very effective on painful cramps as it reduces the production of prostaglandins.

Magnesium is an important mineral and a study has been done that showed its effectiveness on reducing PMS symptoms when it’s taken with vitamin B6. Add some spinach and almonds to your diet before the start of your period to receive the magnesium’s benefits.

Try Essential Oils

Want to try something different? Essential oils for menstrual cramps can calm your symptoms and help with stress. Different kinds of essential oils have their own properties and it’s recommended to make your own essential oils blend.

Your essential oils custom blend should include Lavender, clary sage, cinnamon, and rose. A mix of lavender and clove will decrease the pain during the heavy bleeding days. For anxiety and stress caused by PMS, try using a mix of lavender, rose, geranium, and clary sage for a powerful blend.

Cypress oil has an aromatherapeutic scent that improves circulation in your body and will make your muscles relax, which will help reduce cramps. Adding frankincense oil to a warm bath or diffuser will help to relieve pain as well.

Apply Heat to Your Abdomen

Applying a heating pad or heat wrap to your abdomen is a favorite among many women. The heat will help with relaxing your muscles and it has been considered as helpful as using ibuprofen.

Try using a hot water bottle or a warm towel if you don’t have a heating pad at home.