How Do You Stop Period Cramps?

Although the period cramps are annoying they can be easily managed at home with over the counter medications. For mild menstrual cramps aspirin or other pain reliever such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen can be taken. These medicines work best when taken as soon as bleeding or period cramps starts. Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your tummy or lower back also helps in relieving the period cramps.

Adequate rest is also important to give rest to the stomach or belly. Foods that contain caffeine or salt should be avoided. Tobacco and alcohol use should be restricted. Massage of lower back and abdomen helps in relieving abdominal muscles and menstrual cramps. Women who exercise regularly often experience less period cramps.

Therefore, regular exercise is recommended for women who experience severe period cramps.

If these remedies do not relieve pain then higher doses of analgesics are given to relieve period cramps. Oral contraceptive drugs are also used to relieve menstrual pain.
Natural remedies to relieve period cramps include taking a healthy diet that includes reduction of fat and increase in consumption of green leafy vegetables. A low fat diet decreases overall levels of inflammation of the body. It is also healthier to switch to unsaturated fats found in olive oil instead of saturated fats found in animal products.

Consuming a diet that is fat free and rich in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants such as fish, nuts and vegetables are overall healthier for the body.

Herbal tea is also helpful in relieving menstrual pain as it naturally acts as estrogens that help with the painful cramps. Fish oil and vitamin B1 is also used for naturally relieving pain. A daily dose of 100 milligrams of B1 and 500 milligrams of fish oil supplements have shown to relive period cramps in teens. Acupuncture also helps in relaxing the nervous system that leads to robust blood flow to the internal organs and it is also known to have anti-inflammatory effect. Acupuncture and acupressure both have been known to reduce pain associated with menstruation. Massage with essential oils such as lavender oil, clarysage oil and marjoram oil also helps with lower abdomen pain.

Magnesium levels in diet should also be increased to help ease the period cramps. Magnesium helps regulate nerve and muscle functioning and therefore helps with period cramps.

Sometimes a woman might have an underlying disease that might aggravate period cramps. These include endometriosis in which the tissue lining the uterus is found outside the uterus, pelvic inflammatory disease and stenosis or narrowing of the cervix and fibroids. These conditions lead to secondary dysmenorrhea and should be treated on time to avoid future complications.

Period cramps are a very common problem amongst girls and women right before or during their periods. Some women get them routinely while others experience them sometimes and not every month during their periods. Clinically menstrual cramp is termed as dysmenorrhea that is painful menstruation. The discomfort can be annoying for some women and sometimes can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities for a few days each month.

These cramps can be felt in the lower belly or back and can be mild or severe. They usually occur for the first time one or two years later after a girl achieves menarche. They usually become less painful with time and may stop entirely after the birth of the first child.

Symptoms Of Menstrual Cramps

The main symptoms include mild to severe pain in the belly, feeling of pressure in the belly along with pain in the hips, lower back and inner thighs. Sometimes with severe cramps there can be loose stools and vomiting.

These cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus or womb muscles. If the contractions are too strong during the menstrual cycle it presses against the nearby vessels, which cut off oxygen supply to the uterus and this lack of oxygen leads to period cramps.

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How Do You Stop Period Cramps?