How To Soothe Menstrual Pain At Home
Every woman experiences different levels of menstrual discomfort before or during her period. For some, home remedies are the ‘go-to’ choice.
You can feel discomfort around your abdomen, lower back or thighs during menstruation. When you have your period, your womb contracts and relaxes to shed the lining. Some women experience nausea, vomiting, headaches or diarrhoea.
Doctors don’t know why menstruation is more painful for some women and minimal for others. They have associated more intense pain factors with the following:
- A heavy menstrual flow,
- Having your firstborn,
- Being under 20,
- Having your period for the first time, or
- Having an overproduction of or sensitivity to a compound called prostaglandins, which triggers uterus contractions.
Growths in your uterus, an abnormal uterine tissue growth named endometriosis or birth control can also affect your menstrual flow.
There are a few home remedies you can try at home.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the common OTC pain relief for when you have your period and a heavy flow.
NSAIDs can lower the production of prostaglandin. However, oral contraception is more helpful when lowering prostaglandin.
Heated moments
A hot bath, heating pad, hot water bottle or heat patch applied to your lower abdomen or back may ease your cramps. It can be as effective as OTC medication.
Essential oils
A 20-minute massage can help your period cramps. The therapy involves pressing on specific points, and the therapist rubs around your abdomen, side and back.
Essential oils that may help are lavender, peppermint, rose and fennel. The scented massage oil can be bought, or you can try to make it yourself.
Cut out certain foods
Bloating and water retention can make for a miserable period. The biggest food culprits to cut out are fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine and salty foods.
Replace the above beverages with caffeine-free ginger or mint tea. Hot water with lemon in can help too. If you have a sweet tooth, try snacking on fruits like strawberries or raspberries.
Exercise
Exercise can help your menstrual cramps in the moment and in the long run. A Healthline study from 2016 showed that 250 women who maintained a nutritious diet, exercised regularly and stressed less found their menstrual pain to be significantly different in a positive way.
Exercise before or during your period is not appealing to many women. However, because exercise releases endorphins, your cramps and your need for pain relief medication may lessen.
Herby solution
Women with their periods love different remedies to ease their cramps. Sometimes the weird treatments are the most efficient, such as carom seeds or ajwain. One teaspoon of carom seeds must be boiled in water, and that’s it. If you are prone to unpredictable cramps, carry a small number of carom seeds in your bag.
Know when to contact your docter
Severe pain and heavy bleeding means that you should contact your doctor. The pain will prevent you from doing daily activities, and it continues to worsen.
See your doctor if you are over 25, and severe cramping is new. Another indication that you should make an immediate doctor’s appointment is if the over-the-counter medication does not help with your pain anymore.
Severe cases are very dangerous, and getting treatment from a doctor for menstrual pain is extremely necessary. Don’t hesitate to make that call if you reach this point.