Painful Menstrual Periods: 11 Ways to stop periods pain

Overview:

Many girls and women face problems like abdominal cramps and pain during their menstrual periods. , However, menstrual pain is common and normal part of women’s lives, but severe pain needs to be checked. Every month the lining of a woman’s womb builds up and then sheds again at the end of the menstrual cycle when she has periods unless the woman is pregnant. To shed the lining, it takes pressure and tightness in the muscles of the womb in an irregular rhythm. This helps tissue lining to detach and flow out of the body with blood through the neck of the womb and the vagina. Sometimes these muscle contractions are not much noticeable because they only cause mild discomfort, but sometimes it feels intolerable period pain. In some women, period pain only affects the lower abdomen or might be felt in the back or legs, but in some, it can also cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea , and headaches.

Normal period pain

Women who experience normal period pain, have pain for one or two days before their period and last for about three days during the periods. Your pain improves when you take pain relief medication. However, you need to consult the gynaecologist if your menstrual pain makes it difficult for you to perform your daily life activities.

Causes of painful period cramps

Menstrual cramps are pain that affects many women before and after a menstrual period. The medical term given to this condition is dysmenorrhea which ranges from dull to severe and extreme pain that a woman or girl experience during their periods. Many also experience cramps before periods that affect the lower abdomen and lower back. The leading cause of painful periods is the uterus’s contracting to expel the lining’s build. Prostaglandin is a hormone that prompts muscle contractions in the uterus, during which it may press against the blood vessels around it. It results in cutting off the oxygen supply to muscle tissue, and the pain increases when for a short time, the muscle loses oxygen. This is the underlying cause of unbearable painful periods; however, some are at high risk of having painful periods:

• Girls who reach puberty before 11 years of age.
• Girls being 20 years and just started menstruating
• Having a family history of painful period cramps
• Heavy bleeding during periods
• Smoking
• Irregular periods
• Never being conceived

Women who experience more painful periods than others may have higher levels of natural chemicals than normal. These chemicals cause contractions of the uterus and bowel as well as blood vessels. You may also have cramps due to;

• Endometriosis ( a condition in which tissue lining the uterus grows outside of the uterus).
• Uterine Fibroids (noncancerous growths in the uterus that do not cause any noticeable symptoms.
• Adenomyosis ( it is a much rarer condition and is a disorder involving the uterine lining.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease ( an infection caused by bacteria that start in the uterus )
• Cervical stenosis
• PCOS ( an ovary syndrome and a hormonal disorder found in women of reproductive age.

Menstrual cramps symptoms

Besides period cramps in the lower abdomen, many women experience certain symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome or PMS before their period date. During this time there are a lot of hormones being released in the body and can cause symptoms including mood changes, changes in behavior, and physical discomfort that can occur at least ten days before a period. Physical symptoms include

• Leg pain
• Lower back pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Weakness
• Fainting in extreme cases
• Feeling of pressure in your belly
• Pain in hips, lower back, and inner thighs
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Loose stools

Due to the hormonal changes there can be mood and behavioral changes that women experience:

• They feel more irritated, depressed, or anxious.
• Some may feel more likely to be emotionally weak and wish to cry, have poor self-esteem, or have mood swings.
• They have poor concentration and experience forgetfulness or even loneliness.
• They may also feel a dip in sexual interest and desire.
• They may experience food cravings and an increase in appetite.
• Their sleep may also be disturbed as they feel more tired than normal.

11 Home remedies for period cramps

Every month comes with period cramps, and many women experience bloating, sore breasts, headaches, irritability, mood swings, and cramps before periods. Many also experience migraines that accompany periods in the first few days. These symptoms are uncomfortable and can be severe enough to make women lie totally in bed ultimately. Undoubtedly menstrual cramps are unpleasant but are also vital during periods. There are many home remedies that you can try out to get relief from painful periods. Let us discuss some for you:

• Heat therapy

It is one of the best period cramp remedy that everybody must try. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad against the abdomen to relax muscles and relieve cramps. The heat helps the uterine muscle and eases cramping and discomfort. It can also help them get rid of back pain and soak in a warm bath as it helps to relax the muscles in the abdomen and overall.

• Exercise

It may seem complicated when you are on your period and feel period pain, but it can help relieve this pain. Try out gentle walking or cycling, as it may reduce the pain in your abdomen by increasing the production of chemicals that block pain. You can indulge in a yoga session or pilates to improve physical strength. It is also the best way that to help distract from the pain and discomfort you feel.

• Massage you tummy

It is another best way to get period cramps relief as these essential oils can help ease cramps when massaged onto the abdomen. A mixture of many essential oils does wonders and is considered the most effective treatment to reduce menstrual cramps. Before using the below-listed oils you must mix them with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil, as it will help the essential oils to absorb into the skin as it will help them to spread the oil over a large area; some oils you can use are:

• lavender
• sage
• rose
• marjoram
• cinnamon
• clove

• Take a pain reliever

You can also take a good pain revolver prescribed by your gynecologist, as it will help with period cramps and other related problems like headaches. For the best relief, generally ibuprofen is prescribed and can be taken as soon as bleeding or cramping starts. Ibuprofen is one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) . If in case you cannot take NSAIDs, go for another one like acetaminophen . It is best to consult your gynaecologist as these medications will help you get rid of pain and inflammation and reduce the number of prostaglandins made by your body. These medications work when taken with the first-period symptom. Be sure to talk to a gynecologist if you have any history of heart conditions or liver or kidney problems.

• Take supplements

There are many dietary supplements that can give you period pain relief by reducing cramps. You can take supplements like calcium, vitamins B6, B1, E, and D, along with Vitamin b12 and fish oil.

• Take care of your diet.

Some foods are better at relieving period pain than others, as they contribute to worsening the condition. You can eat foods that reduce inflammation and help in reducing period cramps:

• Fatty fish
• Berries
• Avocado
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Legumes, including beans, lentils, and chickpeas
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Avocado
• Asparagus
• Oranges

It will be better to avoid certain foods like salty foods, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods. Try to swap out less healthy fats like saturated fats with unsaturated fats.

• Try acupuncture to relax the nervous system.

Acupuncture is the best period cramps remedy that you can try to help relax your nervous system. It allows more blood to flow through the internal organs and quell inflammation. Also, it was found that women ongoing acupuncture on a regular basis experiences significant improvement in period pain intensity and related symptoms. It reduces pain intensity during periods and improves women’s overall quality of life.

• Try out herbal tea

There are certain teas that may help relieve menstrual pain and is the best option for those who don’t want to try painkillers during periods. Some are very effective in alleviating your cramps or pain and are considered safe to consume. Some of the teas that you can try are

• Red raspberry leaf tea
• Ginger tea
• Chamomile tea
• Peppermint tea
• Cinnamon tea
• Fennel tea

• Drink fluids

Many girls feel bloated before and during their period, which makes them feel discomfort and worsens menstrual cramps. Staying hydrated, especially with hot liquids like chicken soup, reduces bloating and is considered a simple period cramp remedy.

• Reduce stress

You can try out Deep breathing exercises as they will help in managing stress and also relax your mind and body, thus giving you the required period of pain relief. As an expert gynecologist, calming your body causes your muscles to expand, loosen, and relieve you.

• Try orgasm

Try orgasm, as it is considered the best period pain remedy that helps to manage cramps. It is said that the oxytocin and endorphin released during sexual intercourse help to reduce menstrual pain. The endorphin that is released during sexual activity can help to reduce menstrual pain by up to 70 percent, as per experts.

How Queen’s gynecology will help you?

Queen’s gynecology is a team of the best laparoscopic gynecologist in Delhi with experience of over 13 years in different subspecialties of gynecology. They work as a team with the best laparoscopic gynecologist. Despite all the above-listed period cramp remedies, if the pain persists, you must contact the best gynecologist, as they will help you manage and give you appropriate over-the-counter pain medicine. Be sure to always seek expert advice from the best gynecologist before taking any period pain tablets.