10 Simple Solutions to Reduce Period Pain Each month, an orderly regiment of hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH work tirelessly to induce pregnancy or periods and therefore, keep your reproductive system in top shape. It’s not an easy job! But remember that your body is not a machine, so everything you eat, drink, think, and do, affects it. That means, your diet and lifestyle have a huge impact on your menstrual cycle – both in good and bad ways.
Every woman of reproductive age will have period pain each month- but in varied intensity. Some women feel it like an ant bite, while some others would swear that they were in labour.
Why do period cramps happen? Through your menstrual cycle, your uterus will prepare itself each month to carry a baby. When the egg remains unfertilised, the uterus will have to shed the lining to prepare a fresh one next month. Cramps happen because during your period, the uterus contracts to help shed its inner lining completely. Hormones like prostaglandins play a major role in inducing these cramps. Sometimes, an excess of these chemicals may cause acute pain and discomfort, also called dysmenorrhea.
There are 2 types of dysmenorrhea: 1. Primary: Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during menstruation, in the absence of other diseases. 2. Secondary: Secondary dysmenorrhea is pain that is caused by a disorder in the woman's reproductive organs, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or infection.
If you may be experiencing cramps associated with secondary dysmenorrhea, then treating the root cause can help relieve the cramps to a huge extent.
In case of primary dysmenorrhea, these 10 simple solutions may help reduce period pain: 1. Apply a heating bag to the lower abdomen. If you don’t have a hot water bottle, then just make a DYI bag at home by filling a cloth with uncooked rice. Wrap the rice properly with just a small opening and microwave it for 30 seconds. Do not overheat it. Now, place this on the affected area. 2. Some women claim to find relief by mixing a few drops of essential oil with carrier oil and massaging the abdomen gently. 3. Doctors’ advice avoiding junk food, alcohol, carbonated beverages and coffee around this time. Instead, try soothing (caffeine-free) ginger or mint teas or hot water flavoured with lemon. 4. Herbs like fennel, cinnamon, ginger, and dill contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that experts believe can reduce the muscle contractions and swelling associated with menstrual pain. 5. Take a hot bath. It’ll help relax muscles in the core. 6. Rest. The best thing to do is to avoid exertion (both mental and physical) and rest it out. 7. This may not work for everyone, but some women certainly do find relief from doing mild-to-moderate exercise around this time. 8. Get some sun...Vitamin D reduces the production of prostaglandins. In one study of young women who had primary dysmenorrhea and low vitamin D levels, high weekly doses of supplemental vitamin D decreased pain intensity significantly both 8 weeks into treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment. 9. Have some turmeric milk aka golden latte. Studies suggest that curcumin, an active compound in turmeric is believed to cause improvements in behavioural, mood, and physical symptoms due to PMS. 10. Make sure your magnesium levels are at par. Magnesium is an essential mineral your body needs to fuel more than 300 enzyme systems. Magnesium may also help alleviate symptoms of PMS, especially when taken with vitamin B6. One study of women found that those who took 250 milligrams of magnesium and 40 milligrams vitamin B6 per day experienced the greatest reduction in PMS symptoms. But be sure to check with your physician if you decide to take any form of supplements. For more health, wellness and fitness articles visit- healthhunt.in