For ladies only! Go-To remedies for menstrual pain

Most times we can barely think of anything when mensurating, we are either in pain or indifferent when flying the red flag. Here are five go-to remedies for menstrual cramps.

1. Exercise

I know this might seem a little crazy and impossible with the pain. You might remind yourself how you can’t move, but exercise does not only mean sit-ups and planks. Quick walks, glute lifts, sitting up straight with leg forward, thigh dancing and even yoga can help to ease your belly pain. When you’re involved in any type of exercise, your body pumps more blood and this helps to release endorphins to act against the prostaglandins and reduce your cramps. It is good to exercise three to four times a week to improve our health, but it is more important especially if you constantly have painful menstruation.

2. Heat application (Hot water therapy)

Heat is extremely important for cramps because it relaxes the muscles that contract in the uterus, which is the cause for your pain and discomfort.  There are varieties of heating pads, such as ThermaCare, Bengay e.t.c. If you can’t get any of these, a regular plastic bottle will do. Take the bottle with hot water in it, and apply it to your abdomen as an alternative when you don’t have access to a heating pad. This works really fast and the water can be changed after a few minutes or when cold.

3. Massage therapy

This is one of the easiest ways to ease or stop cramps. You or anyone around you can do this, and guess what? It is soothing and pleasurable. Using the massage therapy for about 20 minutes can help reduce menstrual pain. Researchers have found out that massages significantly reduces pain both immediately and afterward, involving pressing specific points like the lower abdomen, side, and the back.

4. Popping painkillers

Most girls do not love the idea of using medicine to stop period pains, but it is advised to use it moderately. Go-to drugs such as Ibuprofen and paracetamols can help. These drugs help lower prostaglandins production and decreased pain or inflammations. If you have a history of bleeding and kidney issues, only then will you need to call your doctor to make a choice of painkillers for you. Read instructions before you take them so you don’t accidentally take too many.

5. Diet

Sometimes, having a very unhealthy diet can affect us and cause menstrual pain. Rather than taking caffeinated products, choose herbal tea instead. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables for vital vitamins, avoid cold water and too much alcohol intake, avoid processed foods, fried foods, dairy products, and food with high salt content. Drink lots of water, it also helps.

So, ladies, you can be your own doctor for menstrual pain. It does not have to weigh you down all the time. You can consult your doctor if you have tried all these and still don’t feel better.