Megha Sabharwal
That time of the month is always annoying and unhandy; yes, I am talking about periods…
Periods can be excruciatingly painful; there is no denying that. Painful periods, Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea are pulsating or cramping pains in the lower abdomen of the female body. When you’re menstruating, it’s normal to experience pain in your abdomen, thighs, and lower back. Every woman experiences discomfort and pain; however, the pain level, on the other hand, can vary. While some experience dull and light pain, others find it unbearable.
Although the discomfort is merely irritating for some women, some claim that the pain can be severe enough to interfere with their everyday activities. From there, we have decided to talk more about it and help struggling women like you with utterly agonizing pain during periods.
Periods; definition of uneasiness!
If you’re among the eight women who encounter period cramps during the menstrual cycle, your time of the month is probably the most terrifying. Besides specific adjustments to your bathroom routine, there are several additional annoying symptoms of periods. Sleeplessness, food cravings, upset tummy, bloating, sudden mood swings, irritability), fatigue, tender breasts, and more—most of which begin before your cycle actually strikes . These signs serve as alarming signs of what’s terrible is soon to come.
What causes Menstrual cramps?
Your uterus contracts during your period to aid in shedding its lining. Prostaglandins, which resemble hormones, cause these contractions in the female body. More severe menstrual cramps are linked to higher prostaglandin levels. However, some women seem to have more severe menstrual cramps for no obvious reason. During periods, the uterus starts to contract and eventually pulls away the lining from the uterine wall and allows it to pass through the vagina.
These contractions may hurt or be miserable, commonly referred to as cramps (that throbbing or pain in the lower abdomen). Dysmenorrhea, the medical term for menstrual cramps!
What is dysmenorrhea?
Most menstruating women experience lower abdominal cramps, though the pain can also spread to the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs; which is Dysmenorrhea. Also called Menstrual crampings it is severe and frequent pain during your period. There are two major types of Dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary.
Primary dysmenorrhea: This starts when your period starts and lasts the rest of your life. Intense and unusual uterine contractions might result in severe and frequent menstrual cramping.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This type is usually brought on by a physical reason; that develops later in life. It might be carried on by another illness, including endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
How to deal with cramps?
Many people report having abdominal or pelvic pain during periods; they are never welcome visitors. But when cramps do arrive, there are some remedies you can lean on to deal with the pain and discomfort. Menstrual cramps can be relieved by a variety of home treatments, including the ones listed below:
Apply heat to your belly
Heat may reduce cramping and discomfort by relaxing the uterine muscle and those nearby. A heating pad or hot water bottle applied to the belly might help to relax the muscles and ease cramps. A heating pad can also be used on the lower back to relieve back discomfort. Another choice is to take a warm bath, which helps ease the tension in your legs, back, and abdomen. Heat might help break up any knots and relieve discomfort in muscles in pain; period cramps are the same concept. Pain treatment can be easily achieved using a heating pad or stick-on heating wrap; curl up with a heating pad and get relief.
Give exercise a shot!
When you have your period, the last thing you might want to do is hit the gym. Doctors aren’t quite sure why, although it’s suspected the relief comes from the release of chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel good. However, exercising can help with pain from cramps. Heat and exercise are our two first-line options for nonmedical treatment; in fact, it is being said that people who exercise during their periods tend to have less pain. Engaging in gentle exercise always helps you feel better during periods!
You can try Yoga too!
Yoga is a relaxing practice that might help avoid or lessen menstruation problems by releasing endorphins. According to a reliable source, a study examined the impact of yoga and aerobic exercise on PMS symptoms. Yoga and aerobic exercise both dramatically reduced PMS symptoms and pain intensity. The Cat-Cow posture, Child’s pose, Plank pose, and Cobra pose are all beneficial yoga positions for PMS.
A gentle touch of oil and message!
Give your belly a massage using aromatic oils; some essential oils, especially when combined with other oils, can assist relieve period pains when massaged onto the belly.
Lavender, sage, rose, marjoram, cinnamon, and clove are among the oils that appear to be the most helpful for easing cramps. When your oil mixture is prepared, rub a few drops between your hands before gently circularly massaging your stomach.
You can also try acupuncture to get rid of cramps!
Menstrual cramp relief, inflammation reduction, endorphin release, and relaxation are all possible effects of acupuncture. A continuous course of acupuncture is more likely to be helpful for severe cramping than a single session.
Beverages always help!
When you’re feeling really bad during periods, warm beverages like hot water with honey or caffeine-free tea may be soothing. Drinking water decreases the discomfort of monthly bloating and keeps your body from accumulating water, despite the odd appearance. The ideal beverages to drink when you have cramps are warm or hot because they increase blood flow to the skin and may also assist to relax tight muscles.
Take a hot bath or soak in tub
Another technique to give your back, pelvic, and abdominal muscles the warmth they require to relax is to take a hot bath. By adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender, sage, or rose, blended with a carrier oil to your bathwater, you can increase the pain-relieving effects of a relaxing soak. Epsom salt may also assist in reducing muscle soreness. For best results, try to unwind in a hot bath for at least 15 minutes.
Summary
Pre and post-menstrual cramps are pretty common; however, some situations may indicate something more serious. Sometimes, period cramps can make it challenging to go about your daily activities. But with the ways mentioned earlier, you can get some relief. Applying a heating pad to the lower abdomen, practicing relaxation, and meditation techniques, engaging in physical exercise and taking a warm bath or shower help most of the time.
However, if the pain persists or becomes so severe that it interferes with your ability to function after a few days, immediately make an appointment with your doctor. It’s crucial to consult a doctor about menstrual cramp relief if these home cures don’t work.
Stay hydrated and take care!
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