Natural Remedies To Relieve Menstrual Pain

These green remedies are just what you need to reduce any discomfort during your period.

How many times have you had to leave work early or just couldn’t get off the bed ‘coz it was that time of the month again. If this is your monthly ordeal, we feel your pain — literally. While a high percentage of women deal with dysmenorrhea a.k.a menstrual pain, the intensity of pain, however, differs from woman to woman. What does this mean? Well, some may experience pain in their lower abdomen; others might feel pressure on their stomach. Some might even have to deal with pain in their hips, lower back, and inner thighs. Bottom line: Just ‘coz one woman can go about her day effortlessly while dealing with cramps, doesn’t mean everyone can.

While there are pills that help with the cramps, some women try to avoid OTC meds as much as they can. While both these are acceptable *it’s your body, only you know what it needs* if you choose the latter, there are natural methods that can help ease the pain and you don’t need to suffer all day long. Keep on reading to know how you can reduce the pain with simple home remedies.

What Causes Menstrual Pain?

Before getting to the natural remedies, you first need to understand why it happens. While menstruating, your uterus contracts to help expel the lining. During this process, a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation, triggers uterine muscle contractions. When these contractions are too strong, the blood supply is cut off for a moment. This deprives the uterus muscle of oxygen, which leads to the dreaded menstrual cramps and pain.

There are two types of dysmenorrhea, primary and secondary. Primary Dysmenorrhoea is menstrual pain without any organic disease. Secondary Dysmenorrhoea, on the other hand, happens due to an unidentifiable disease such as endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Natural Remedies For Menstrual Pain

• Applying heat

Hot water bags not only provide relief for your neck on those days when you slept wrong but can also help with menstrual cramps. *tried and tested*. It may not eliminate the pain completely, but trust us, it is way better than sitting in agonising discomfort all day long.

• Essential oil massage

Essential oils can make your bedroom smell like a garden as well as reduce period pain when mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Oils such as lavender or cinnamon are known to reduce inflammation and discomfort. Just massaging these oils for about 20 minutes on your abdomen and back have proven to reduce cramps.

P.S. You don’t need a partner to help you out, you can do it yourself.

• Ginger tea

Seems like ginger tea is the solution to almost every problem in life, right? Well, this ingredient has always been part of the Ayurvedic books. ‘Coz of its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, it can help reduce menstrual pain as well as uncomfortable bloating. Certain studies have noted that consuming ginger tea 3 days before menstruation can be effective in relieving the pain.

• Exercise

Most of you must be wondering why you would put yourself through something so strenuous while dealing with menstrual pain when you don’t even do it on a regular day. We’ve got one word: Relief! We understand that for a few, even the word exercise brings out a *sigh* but certain studies have proved that aerobic exercise can help with primary dysmenorrhea.

• Period Sex

While it doesn’t get rid of the pain completely, period sex does play a role in helping you feel better. When you have an orgasm, the uterus muscles contract and then release, this release brings about some relief. Not to forget, it also releases the feel-good endorphins and takes your mind away from the discomfort.

Bonus Tips

• Yoga

If exercise is not up your alley, then you can give yoga a shot. Poses like the cobra, cat, honeybee breathing, child’s pose and fish pose can help reduce the severity of primary dysmenorrhea.

• Stay Hydrated

Want clear skin? Drink water; want to flush out toxins from the body? Drink water; want to reduce menstrual pain? You guessed it, drink water. Your daily dose of H2O can do so much for your body. Drinking 8 ounces of water while on your period can keep your body hydrated and reduce the pain.

P.S. Caffeinated drinks are not a substitute for water.

When should you see a doctor?

If your pain is too severe and you can’t go about your simple daily activities, then it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor.

Remember, menstrual pain affects each one of us differently. It’s important to listen to what your body needs rather than comparing yourself to others.