How To Relieve Menstrual Cramps?: Menstrual cramps, or also known as dysmenorrheal are throbbing pain felt in your lower abdomen before and during a menstrual period. The pain varies in scales, depending on its severity. For some women, the pain can just get too severe that it often disables them from doing their daily activities for the first two or three days. While for the rest of the women, the pain is not severe, or sometimes is not present at all.
What Causes Menstrual Cramps?
We must know that menstrual cramps actually happen because of uterine contractions. It occurs in response to some chemicals like the prostaglandin and leukotrienes to break down the old linings of uterine each month (when pregnancy is not present). When prostaglandin is released, the muscles of your uterus will contract, and squeeze out all the dead tissues. And the release of leukotrienes causes inflammation and cramps. The pain gets even severe when pieces of bloody tissue from the lining of uterus pass through the cervix, especially if the cervical canal is narrow. It is also often associated with the levels of prostaglandins in a women’s body. When a woman has high prostaglandin level in her uterine lining, then she is likely to experience severe menstrual cramps. They are usually accompanied by pain in your lower thighs and lower back, diarrhea and also nausea.
Home Remedies For Menstrual Cramps
Yes, there are painkillers. Many of us often choose to go with the painkillers as they relieve pain faster, especially for menstrual cramps. But we must bear in our minds that most painkillers are chemicals. Taking chemicals during menstruation may result in infertility (long term efect), as they can affect the menstrual cycle. Natural remedies (Home Remedies) work the best for menstrual cramps. They don’t only relieve the cramps, but are also safe and side-effect free.
1. Exercise
By exercising, you really can ease the pain in your belly. When you exercise, your body pumps more blood and releases endorphins that will counteract the prostaglandins, and then reduce the cramps eventually. You may also try some yoga routines. This might be the last thing you would want to do during cramps, but you really should try. It does help.
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2. Heat
Place a hot water pad on your belly. Keep applying the heat to painful areas to relieve the pain. If you don’t have a hot water pad, then you can fill in a bottle with hot water and do the same. You can also use a warm towel. Remember, heat will help to reduce the pain as effectively as medicines.
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3. Fenugreek seeds
This is an incredible remedy for menstrual cramps. Throw a handful of fenugreek seeds into a hot pan and roast it without oil. When they have turned darker (it is okay if they become burnt), add a cup of water and let it steep for a while, for at least 3 minutes. Then strain into a cup and drink it hot.
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4. Chamomile tea
Chamomile teas contain a natural ingredient that acts as painkiller. Thus, it helps to decrease the prostaglandin production, and reduces menstrual cramps. Inflammation at the cervix too can be reduced by drinking this tea.
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5. Basil leaves
Basil leaves also contain pain killing properties. You can chew them raw, or boil a handful of basil leaves with a couple tablespoons of thyme. Strain this, and drink while it’s hot. It works miracles.
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6. Ginger tea
Ginger tea is another powerful remedy for menstrual pain. All you got to do is prepare some homemade ginger tea (boil few slices of ginger in a cup of water). You may add 1tbs of honey for some sweetness. Drink while it is hot.
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7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon too is said to be very helpful in relieving menstrual cramps. Make your homemade cinnamon tea. Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, or a cinnamon stick (break into three parts) into a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for at least 8-10 minutes. Then strain into a cup(if needed) , and you may add a tablespoon of honey for taste.
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8. Avoid foods that cause bloating and water retention
This is very important. You should avoid eating foods that will cause water retention in your body and bloat your stomach. They include fast food, fatty foods, alcohol and carbonated beverages.
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These are few of the ways to relieve your menstrual cramps. If there are any other remedies that you know, do share them with us.
