Period cramps can be painful and irritating, but there are many remedies that might help relieve them. Here are some ways to ease period cramps:
- Drink more water to reduce bloating.
- Enjoy herbal teas to relieve inflammation and muscle spasms. Drinking chamomile, fennel or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to relieve menstrual cramps.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods to relax menstrual cramps. Try eating berries, tomatoes, pineapples and spices like turmeric, ginger.
- Apply heat to your abdomen or back to help relax the muscles contributing to cramping. Using a heating pad or soaking in a warm bath are great ways to ease period pain.
- Take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin can help control the pain of cramps.
- Exercise regularly. Physical activity, including sex, helps ease menstrual cramps for some women.
- Use heat. Soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad, hot water bottle or heat patch on your lower abdomen might ease menstrual cramps.
- Try dietary supplements. Certain vitamins and minerals have been suggested to help reduce menstrual cramps. For example, magnesium and vitamin B1 (thiamin) .
- Reduce stress. Yoga, deep breathing exercises, meditation, and counseling can help reduce stress.
- Get enough vitamins and minerals by eating a healthy diet. Certain vitamins and minerals have been suggested to help reduce menstrual cramps. For example, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-6, and magnesium supplements.
- Talk with your doctor if your period pain is really bad, and over-the-counter medicine doesn’t help. They can help with other ways to manage the pain, or they may want to check to see if there’s something more serious going on.
Its important to remember that these techniques won’t always work, especially for chronic conditions, but they can offer relief for mild to moderate period pain.
