Do you suffer from pain or cramping during 'that time of the month'? Do you find it hard to get out of bed and function through the day because of your period pain? If you answered 'yes', you may finally experience relief by reading the rest of this article and applying the various natural remedies listed below.
If you do suffer from pain and discomfort during your period, you are not alone. Period pain can affect 70% of women. For some, the cramps and discomfort may become so severe that it can interfere with their active lifestyle, affecting their daily routine and performance, and may even result in time off work.
Since we all live very busy lives, many of us resort to taking medication as a way to quickly relieve the symptoms associated with our menstrual cycle. But is this option fixing the problem or just masking the symptoms?
Before we answer that question, let's first understand why women may experience pain during their menses. Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus. The contractions occur to push the blood out of the uterus and through to the vagina. Prostaglandins are the chemicals found in a women's body which are responsible for these contractions. Women who have high levels of prostaglandins experience more intense contractions of their uterus and hence more pain.
Some other causes of menstrual cramping may include endometriosis, fibroids, infection of the reproductive organs, abnormal pregnancy, narrow cervix or ovarian cysts.
Regardless of the cause, period pain is something you do not have to put up with!
Most women resort to taking pain killers and anti-inflammatories to help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with having their periods. Let's have a look at the current drug therapies available for the relief of period pain, and the possible effects they may have on your body.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - helps to relieve pain. Long term use may lead to increased risk of stomach bleeding
• Contraceptive pill - can help to relieve pain but does not cure you
• Antibiotics - if your menstrual pain is due to an infection of the reproductive organs
While the drugs usually prescribed by doctors for menstrual cramping helps to provide pain relief, it does not 'fix' the problem. In some cases, long term use may lead to a range of different health issues. So what are some other options?
Below is a detailed list of natural therapies which I have found in practice to help the women who suffer from period pain and cramping.
1. Regular Chiropractic Care - You may be thinking to yourself, "what does my spine have to do with period pain?" Chiropractors believe that there is a strong relationship between your nervous system (brain, spinal cord and sensory nerves) and the reproductive organs. Your ovaries and uterus are connected to your spinal cord via sensory nerves. In order for the ovaries and uterus to function as best as they possibly can, the nervous system must be able to carry information through the nerves and to these organs. Sometimes blockages from the spine may affect the proper flow of information, which can sometimes lead to pain and discomfort during a woman's period. Chiropractors refer to this blockage as a subluxation. Correcting these subluxations allows the nerves to carry the proper information back to the reproductive organs, allowing for their better health. This is how a Chiropractor can help eliminate period pain.
While anti-inflammatories mask the pain and symptoms, Chiropractors remove the cause of your period pain (subluxations). This makes Chiropractic a very effective long term solution to helping women overcome period pain.
Below are some other natural remedies which may help to relieve the symptoms of period pain and discomfort.
2. Fish are high in Omega 3 - which contains anti-inflammatory properties. Eating a higher quantity of fresh fish before your menstrual cycle and during it may help reduce cramping.
3. Flaxeed reduces prostaglandin (the chemical responsible for causing cramps during the menstrual cycle), helping to minimise menstrual cramping. It is recommended you take between 1 and 2 tablespoons of flaxeed oil during the menstrual cycle.
4. Ginger helps to reduce menstrual cramps and pain, as well as help to relieve some of the other uncomfortable symptoms. One of my favourite methods of consuming ginger is in a tea. Add some lemon or honey for better taste. In addition, feel free to increase the amount of ginger you use in your food while cooking.
5. Chamomile helps relieve menstrual cramping as well as the discomforts related to premenstrual syndrome. Honey can be added for taste. A good preventative measure is to start drinking chamomile tea a couple of days before you are expecting your period, and then drink at least 2 cups per day during your period.
6. Consume supplements with calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, zinc. These supplements are responsible for reducing menstrual cramps and bloating. Eat plenty of nuts, beans, green leafy vegetables, berries and tomatoes, as these foods contain high amounts of these nutrients.
7. Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pasta and sugar
8. Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold water food and tofu
9. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco as these can exacerbate cramping.
10. Drink 8 - 10 glasses of water daily as this can help to reduce bloating, which can make cramping worse. It also helps to maintain hormone balance.
11. Exercise is considered to be a natural way to reduce muscle tension and elevate one's mood. Aerobic exercise in particular helps release endorphins into your blood, hence helping to reduce the feeling of pain. Brisk walks, swimming or jogging 20 minutes per day seems to be most effective.
12. Hot baths and heat pads can also help to relieve pain. Heat will help to relieve severe pain but it is unlikely to get rid of it entirely. It is important to stay warm in general when you have cramps, as the cold contracts your muscles.
13. Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods especially if you experience constipation with your periods. Fibre allows for better digestive motility. Constipation during your periods can sometimes worsen the cramps.
I have been recommending the above remedies in practice for many years now, with great results. If I was to recommend one single remedy as being the most effective, I would encourage all women who experience pain and discomfort during their menstrual cycle to receive regular Chiropractic care. Many women who undergo regular treatments have been able to prevent the onset of period pain for many months and even years.
While the other remedies don't always help prevent the onset of future pain and discomfort, they can help to reduce the effects of it during the cycle.
If you would like a long term solution to a healthier and pain free menstrual cycle, visit your local Chiropractor and try these other natural remedies as well.
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