Battling With Menstrual Cramps? Here’s How To Stop It

Menstrual cramps can be really painful and discomforting because you’re totally in a situation where you feel really helpless when experiencing it.

Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea is the discomfort you feel around your abdomen, lower back, and thighs when you’re menstruating.

When menstruating, the muscles of your womb contract and relax to help shed built-up lining which sometimes leads to the cramps you experience. In some cases, some women experience nausea,  headaches, vomiting or diarrhea as well.

menstrual cramps

“Each month, the uterine lining builds up in preparation for pregnancy,” according to Dr. Kecia Gaither, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and Director of Perinatal Outreach at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. “If no fertilization occurs, the thickened uterine lining is no longer required and as such is shed; this shedding is the menstrual process,” She added.

The uterus literally contracts to help release this lining which has been shed. If the uterus, however, contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels and cut off the supply of oxygen to the muscle tissues in the uterus, which results in the pain/cramps.

Anyway, these 3 homemade remedies will help you deal with menstrual cramps.

1. Improve the quality of your diet

menstrual cramps

According to an ob/gyn at UCLA Health and professor of ob/gyn at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles, Dr. Palmieri, a low-fat diet actually decreases overall levels of inflammation in the body which can have an indirect yet noticeable effect on menstrual cramps, too.

Fats are precursors to some of the chemicals involved in making the uterus contract. Therefore, decreasing the fat content of the diet may play a role conversely in decreasing menstrual pains.

So, replacing the unhealthy saturated fats (mostly found in animal products) for more healthy unsaturated fats (commonly found in plant products like olive oil, coconut oil, and the likes) is a good way to improving the quality of your diet.

2. Taking a cup of tea

menstrual cramps

Taking a cup or two of herbal tea with peppermint oil and anti-inflammatory properties at least 7 days before your period will go a long way in helping you battle menstrual cramps.

A research found that the urine samples of 14 participants who consumed fragrant tea had had a significant increase in hippurate, which is a natural anti-inflammatory which in turn helps to decrease the prostaglandin production, thus relieving menstrual cramps.

ALSO READ: 3 best herbs for menstrual pain

3. Apply heat for menstrual cramps

menstrual cramps

Heat helps to relax the contracting muscles in your uterus, which is the cause of your pain.

“A heating pad is a woman’s best friend when it comes to menstrual cramps,” says Ramona Fasula, a Certified Holistic Health Coach and CEO of Wellness by Ramona. “Heat opens blood vessels and improves blood flow and dissipates the pain.”

Putting a heated pad or a regular plastic bottle with warm water on your lower abdomen can work magic for that menstrual cramps.

However, if intense pain persists after trying these, it’s advisable to visit your doctor.

SHARE
Kehinde Omotosho is a content writer at healthfacts.ng who enjoys the punching sounds of the keyboard when conjuring words together to make a full entity. When she is not typing, she's examining a few fashion pieces and playing dress-up. Meeting people and smiling always are a few of her hobbies. For more details, send an email to info@healthfacts.ng

LEAVE A REPLY