Massage With Essential Oils
For trying this remedy, people can add a few drops of any of the essential oil to a carrier oil and give themselves a gentle massage. The ideal proportion is one drop essential oil to one teaspoon of career oil. Give yourself a massage for 20 minutes for effective results.
Also when applying this massage, one should target specific points in the abdomen, back and side.
Donât Miss: How To Drop Stomach Fat
Do You Need To See A Doctor
If your menstrual cramps are unusual or severe, or if they last more than a few days, you may want to see your doctor. Painful period cramping is treatable, so anytime you’re worried about your symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to make sure everything is normal. They may also ask you questions about your menstrual period history, suggest lifestyle modifications, or even recommend and prescribe medicines that may help relieve your painful periods.
What Causes Menstrual Pain
Pain during menstruation is thought to be caused by prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Together, these compounds are known as eicosanoids.
Prostaglandinsare a group of hormone-like fats that are made by our cells at sites of tissue damage or infection in the body. Their job is to direct the healing process by coordinating blood vessel constriction and blood clotting. In this process, prostaglandins cause the pain, fever, redness and swelling that we experience with illness and injury.
Prostaglandins also play a role in the female reproductive system by controlling ovulation, initiating labor and regulating menstrual flow. In other words, prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract.
Two specific prostaglandins have been linked to menstrual pain: PGE2 and PGF2-alpha.
Now, normally, prostaglandins are very short-lived. Once their job is done, the body breaks them down quickly.
But problems arise when inflammatory prostaglandins are produced in excess. Certain dietary andlifestyle factors will cause persistent tissue damage and load us with omega-6 fats, resulting in round the clock production of inflammatory prostaglandins.
Below is an illustration of the process. As you can see, anything that promotes high levels of arachidonic acid, the precursor to prostaglandins, can lead to pain and inflammation.
Similar to prostaglandins,leukotrienes are inflammatory molecules that are released by our white blood cells.
Read Also: What Can I Use To Clean My Stomach Out
Don’t Miss: How Can You Tell If You Have Stomach Cancer
How To Tell If Your Period Cramping Is Normal
Each girl or woman typically experiences a similar level of cramps from one month to the next, says Jackie Thielen, MD, an internist and womens health specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. For some women, monthly pain is minor. For others, it can be quite debilitating.
The main question doctors ask when determining whether your cramps are normal is Are they normal for you? Dr. Thielen says.
RELATED: Heavy Bleeding and Bad Periods: When to See a Doctor
Q Is It Safe To Have Sex During Period
A. It is completely safe to have sex during your period. It is very unlikely that you will get pregnant but make sure to always use a condom. It all depends on the comfort you share with your partner. Most people find it a little off-putting because of the presence of blood, and it can be a messy affair.
Recommended Reading: What Is Best Cat Food For Cats With Sensitive Stomachs
Ways To Relieve Menstrual Pain
By Jordin
Ways to relieve menstrual pain can be easy, time consuming, difficult, or therapeutic but whatever they are, we need them! The time of month that all women dread is the time of month that causes severe pain for over half of the women in the world. And I dont mean your average run-of-the-mill menstrual pain. Im talking menstrual pain that is severe enough to keep you home from work. Yes, there are women who deal with that! Are you one of them? Then you need to read this article with ways to relieve menstrual pain.
Menstrual pain does not have to be something that controls your life. Instead, it can be something that you deal with and go on with your activities as normal. If you have to deal with severe menstrual pain, be assured that there are ways to relieve menstrual pain. Keep on reading this article if you would like to know 9 ways to relieve menstrual!
Pop A Safe Painkiller To Cut The Inflammation
Moderate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen is one of the best ways to curb period pain, Thielen says. This is because NSAIDs reduce the amount of prostaglandins in the body. For this reason, taking a pill just before you get your period can keep the level of pain-causing prostaglandins from rising, she says.
As with any medicine, you should first check with your doctor to be sure NSAIDs are a good choice for you, especially if you have a history of bleeding or stomach or kidney issues.
If the NSAIDs you buy in the store dont offer enough relief, your doctor might prescribe an NSAID with more potency. Some women need up to 800 milligrams three times a day for cramps. Youd have to take a lot of over-the-counter pills to equal that, Thielen says.
RELATED: 7 Things an Anesthesiologist Wants Women to Know About Pain
Read Also: What Does Acid Reflux Feel Like In Stomach
What Is Gas Pain During Your Period
Hormones wreak havoc on a womans system during menses. Progesterone is a hormone that slows down your digestive system, especially during the latter half of your period. Many women begin to bloat a few days before their period even begins.
During this already painful time, gas can build up in your digestive tract and cause you to hurt even more. This is incredibly common: nearly 55% of women report gastrointestinal pain during their period.
There isnt much you can to control the hormonal turmoil within your body, but there are several steps you can take to reduce the extra pain that is caused by gas.
Lifestyle Changes That Help Relieve Stomach Pain During Periods
It may be possible to find ways to deal with the painful days so they are less of a problem. For example, many women try to take things a bit easier in those days. Some find that relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, yoga or tai chi help them feel more relaxed and reduce stress. Getting a lot of exercises also helps relieve stomach pain during periods in some women.
Measures that may reduce the risk of Menstrual Cramps Include:
- Eating fruits and vegetables and limiting the intake of fat, alcohol, caffeine, salt, and sweets
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing stress
- Quitting smoking
If these also do not help over 2-3 months, then you can ask a gynecologist, to rule out infection or growth. Hence invasive procedures might be done for diagnostic purposes.
There is Another Type of Pain known as the MittelschmerzMittelschmerz is one-sided, lower abdominal pain associated with ovulation. German for middle pain, mittelschmerz occurs midway through a menstrual cycle about 14 days before your next menstrual period.
The Exact Cause of Mittelschmerz is Unknown, but Possible Reasons for the Pain Include these Just before an egg is released with ovulation, follicle growth stretches the surface of your ovary, causing pain. Blood or fluid released from the ruptured follicle irritates the lining of your abdomen , leading to pain.
Don’t Miss: Why Is My Lower Stomach Always Bloated
What Causes Cramps During Your Menstrual Cycle
Period pain is often driven by prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals that cause uterine contraction, says Jolene Brighten, medical director at Rubus Health and author of Beyond the Pill.
Though it seems like the muscular contractions would cause the pain, its actually the prostaglandins that take you to cramp town. Typically, the more prostaglandins in your body, the worse you feel during your period.
Luckily, there are ways to minimize those body chemicals and reduce your pain, though they dont always give you the fastest relief.
Donât Miss: How To Relieve Bloated Gassy Stomach
Treatment For Stomach Pain During Periods
Scientifically proven advice has always been the NSAIDs , these lower the level of prostaglandins. . Another piece of advice is to take on Oral Contraceptive Pills, these will prevent ovulation and before following these treatment options you must get consulted with the best doctor to identify the underlying causes of the pain.
The Following Approaches also Should be Tried
- Applying heat by using hot water bottles or heating pads, taking a warm bath or going to the sauna
- Fortify: Vitamin B1 or magnesium supplements may reduce cramps, bloating and other PMS symptoms. . Special diets and dietary supplements
- Herbal products and herbal teas for medicinal us, homeopathic medicines.
- Procedures which target pain stimuli, such as acupuncture, acupressure or TENS
Don’t Miss: What Can Tighten Loose Skin On Stomach
How Much Period Pain Is Normal
If youre like most women, youve experienced period pain at some point in your life. A little bit of mild cramping can be considered normal, especially at the beginning of your period. But ideally, you wont even feel your period coming at all.
If youre consistently having to pop painkillers like candy, or youre in too much pain to go to work or school, then something deeper is going on. That type of period pain is not normal. In medicine, painful periods are called dysmenorrhea.
Your period is like a barometer of your overall health. It tells you how well your body is being nourished , how much stress youve been under, and how much inflammation might be going on in your body.
Its important to uncover the root causes of why your hormones are in turmoil so that you can find the least invasive, safest and most effective solution.
The great news is that womens hormonal issues respond beautifully to natural medicine and, with a little detective work, you can troubleshoot your problems to get back on the road to wellness.
First, lets explore the causes of menstrual pain.
Im going to get all sciency because I want you to really understand whats going on inside of your body. I even made a cute little drawing to help explain everything. Bear with me and keep reading. Itll all make sense I promise!
Keep Track Of Your Period Symptoms To Prevent Cramps
Keeping track of your period symptoms can really help you and your healthcare provider a lot. Having a full idea about what might happen within the specified time can help you get prepared beforehand. So, always keep track of your period at all times.
Full knowledge of your menstrual cycle can help to determine a lot about your health. Long period of waiting for your menstruation could be a sign of pregnancy so you should take note of this. Irregular menstrual cycle can be an indication of hormonal change or thyroid issues and lots more. Always keep track of your menstrual cycle to know the state of your health.
Don’t Miss: How To Lose Fat Off The Side Of Your Stomach
Way To Reduce Menstrual Pain Instantly
To get rid of menstrual pain instantly, you have to follow the following rules:-
- Increase intake of liquids to prevent dehydration during menstrual pain.
- Ginger helps in reducing the pain instantly as it has a lot of medicinal value.
- Placing a hot water bag on your stomach also reduces the pain.
- Avoid caffeine.
Is It Normal To Have Diarrhea On Your Period
Diarrhea during your period is a common complaint. During your period, the sex hormones progesterone and estrogen as well as prostaglandins can change the behavior of the smooth muscle in your intestines. As long as it doesnt cause such severe gastrointestinal pain that it keeps you from leaving your home, its typically nothing to worry about.
If you notice that your diarrhea is bloody, you should see your health care provider as soon as possible. There can be different causes of bloody stools, such as trauma, infectious diseases, endometriosis, and a tumor.
Recommended Reading: Is The Purple Mattress Good For Stomach Sleepers
Causes Of Period Pain
Period pain happens when the muscular wall of the womb tightens . Mild contractions continually occur in your womb, but they’re usually so mild that most women cannot feel them.
During your period, the wall of the womb starts to contract more vigorously to help the womb lining shed as part of your period.
When the wall of the womb contracts, it compresses the blood vessels lining your womb. This temporarily cuts off the blood supply and oxygen supply to your womb. Without oxygen, the tissues in your womb release chemicals that trigger pain.
While your body is releasing these pain-triggering chemicals, it’s also producing other chemicals called prostaglandins. These encourage the womb muscles to contract more, further increasing the level of pain.
It’s not known why some women have more period pain than others. It may be that some women have a build-up of prostaglandins, which means they experience stronger contractions.
The Power Of Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol is a plant extract derived from the maritime pine tree found in the southwestern region of France. The extract contains several potent antioxidant compounds. In one study of women between the ages of 18 and 48 years old, those who experienced dysmenorrhea who took a supplement containing 60 milligrams of pycnogenol during their periods had significantly less pain and needed less pain medication compared to when they didn’t take the supplement. They also needed pain medication for fewer days when they took the pycnogenol supplement. Surprisingly, women still needed less pain medication during their periods even after they stopped taking the pycnogenol. However, women who had low levels of menstrual pain weren’t helped by the supplement. Ask your doctor if pycnogenol may help relieve severe pain associated with your period.
Recommended Reading: Do Fibroids Make Your Stomach Big
When Does Period Bloating Occur
Youll likely experience bloating well before the start of your period. Bloating is considered a very common symptom of PMS. Symptoms of PMS can begin a week or two before your period starts. You may bloat every month, once in a while, or not at all. Relief from bloating may occur immediately after you start your period or a few days into it.
You may have other PMS symptoms. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state that up to 85 percent of women report physical symptoms related to their period. Besides bloating, other common symptoms include:
- cramping
You should talk to your doctor if your bloating:
- does not go away after your period
- is severe enough to affect your daily activities
Severe bloating may be a sign of a medical condition or may need to be treated differently.
So Whats The Best Position To Sleep During Your Period
If youre going to sleep at night with achy, breaky cramps, there could be a way to sleep that can help you. Sleeping in the fetal position takes pressure off the abdominal muscles, which can help relieve cramps the fetal position helps because the skeletal muscles around your abdomen relax, and less tension leads to fewer cramps and less pain.
If youre someone who tends to leak a lot at night, it might be because of the position you sleep. Sleeping on your stomach can squeeze your uterus in a way that causes the blood to come out more.
Also Check: How Do You Lose Lower Stomach Fat
Some Herbal Tea Varieties Can Calm Cramping
Certain teas may help relieve menstrual cramps, says Sonya Angelone, a registered dietitian nutritionist in the San Francisco Bay area.
Research on herbal teas for menstrual pain relief is scarce, but teas have been used by menstruating women in numerous cultures for centuries.
Chamomile and peppermint teas are often recommended for menstrual pain because they are calming to the body. Other teas associated with dysmenorrhea are those made from cramp bark, ginger, or fennel.
RELATED: Best Teas for Joint Pain Relief
Add More Vitamins And Minerals To Your Diet Through Food Or Supplements
During your period, you especially want to focus on your intake of nutrients and vitamins. Vitamin D can control inflammation and increase calcium absorption, the former of which is useful if youre cramping hard. Magnesium, vitamin E, and omega-3s can also tamp down inflammation. These three vitamins and minerals could reduce period pain too.
Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, cheese, beef liver, fortified cereals and dairy, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna. Of course, considering you have PCOS, dairy and cheese are off the menu, as is most dairy, but everything else on that list should be okay. Also, remember that 85% of women with PCOS are deficient in Vitamin D so it is a good idea to take a good quality Vitamin D supplement too.
You can get your daily serving of vitamin E through leafy green vegetables , sunflower and other seeds, vegetable oils, and nuts. Magnesium is naturally found in roasted peanuts, pumpkin seeds, dry-roasted cashews, boiled spinach, and dry-roasted almonds.
As for omega-3s, you can ingest more through nuts and seafood, including sardines, herring, tuna, mackerel, and salmon. Omega 3 also has the benefit of helping to lower your testosterone levels too.
If you find that the above foods aggravate your PCOS, then know that you can get your vitamins and minerals through a supplement.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Fat Rolls On Stomach
How Is The Cause Of Severe Period Pain Diagnosed
To diagnose severe period pain, your health care provider will ask you about your medical history and do a pelvic exam. You may also have an ultrasound or other imaging test. If your health care provider thinks you have secondary dysmenorrhea, you might have laparoscopy. It is a surgery that that lets your health care provider look inside your body.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Your Stomach Hurting