There is nothing easy about a menstrual period. However, there are some easy ways to make it less painful. Here are six tips that can help reduce the agony until Mother Nature has released her monthly grip from your uterus.
1. Lose the Caffeine
Caffeine dehydrates the body and increases tension. Both of these can contribute to menstrual cramping. If you are used to drinking caffeine every day, stopping completely can cause headaches. Try to reduce your caffeine in the days before and during your period. If you usually have five caffeinated drinks during the day, try to bring the number down to two and replace it with drinking more water.
2. Begin Doing Yoga
Physical activity may be the last thing on your mind for something fun to do during your period. However, some types of yoga poses can help relieve menstrual symptoms, including cramps. According to Yoga Point, some asanas you can try include Cat pose, gentle backbends, and Tiger pose. The deep breathing used in yoga can also help because of its relaxation effects. Tension increases pain. The more you are able to relax through gentle yoga poses and deep breathing, the easier it might be to ignore the deep pain coursing through the lower half of your body.
3. Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage combines the calming effects of essential oils with the deeply relaxing effects of a great massage. This can bring wonderful relief to you during your period, especially if you experience a lot of tension in your lower back from the cramps. Use your period as an excuse to pamper yourself by booking an aromatherapy massage.
4. Try Herbal Products
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists Cramp bark extract, Chaste tree tea, Black cohosh extract, Evening Primrose oil and Tumeric extract as herbs that might bring relief for menstrual pain.
5. Heat
Just as heat soothes muscle pain after a workout, it can also soothe menstrual cramps. Try spending time in a sauna or using a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly. Soaking in warm water can also help.
6. Get Moving
When your cramps have you down, it is time to get up and move around. This doesn’t mean you need to run a marathon, but light exercise can help with cramps, so take a walk in the park or go for a dip in the pool. At the very least, keeping yourself occupied through movement might distract you from the pain for a while.
When to See a Doctor
Cramps are normal, but severe cramping or cramping accompanied by some other symptoms can indicate other problems. Pay your doctor a visit if you experience pain in new areas, severe pain, fever or menstrual pain that lasts several days after the period has ended.