Most women and teenage girls experience cramps during menstruation. Cramps can range from mild discomfort to conditions that really make the body weak. Cramps can't be completely avoided, but it's still possible for you to reduce them and make them easier to control. Read on for this article to find out how.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Get Rid of Cramps Quickly
Step 1. Consume coke and salt, and apply heat
Cramps occur when the uterine muscles contract to expel menstrual blood. Pain that occurs in the uterus can be treated as when you treat other muscle problems, such as a pulled hamstring muscle or a strained neck. Coke and salt can help divert attention so that the pain will be reduced. The use of heat in some form can also relieve cramping pain, as heat relaxes the muscles and provides immediate (not permanent) pain relief.
- Use a heating pad or bottle filled with hot water. Lie down and place a heating pad or hot water bottle on the painful area. Rest for about 20 minutes to half an hour and let the heat do its job.
- Take a bath with warm water. Fill the tub with warm water and immerse yourself in it. Sprinkle some lavender or rose bath beads, or some essential oil to relax more.
Step 2. Massage yourself
Another great way to soothe tense muscles is with a massage. Gently massage the affected area. Massage the area for a few minutes. Keep your body relaxed when you do the massage.
- You can massage the back or abdomen. Focus on the area that hurts the most.
- To be more relaxed, ask your partner to massage you. Tell him not to massage too vigorously.
Step 3. Mix herbal medicine
Some herbs from nature have long been used by people to relieve cramps due to menstruation. Brew a pot of tea containing one of the following herbs and inhale it slowly so that your pain goes away for a while. Go to a pharmacy or herbal shop, and try some of the following herbs:
- Raspberry leaf. Raspberry tea has a pleasant aroma and is known to relieve cramps.
- Cramp bark. This herb relaxes the uterus and can relieve pain.
- Dong Quai. This ingredient is used for various purposes because it can calm the nervous system effectively.
Step 4. Take painkillers
One effective way to get rid of cramps is to take over-the-counter medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and Tylenol work quickly to relieve pain. These drugs can be found in almost all drug stores.
- A number of pain medications are specifically designed to relieve menstrual cramps and other menstrual pains. Look for medications that contain acetaminophen.
- Take the recommended dose on the package. If the pain doesn't go away for about an hour, use another way to relieve the pain, not increasing the dose.
Step 5. Get an orgasm
Orgasms are known to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps because they calm the uterus and release contractions. If you start to feel cramping, try going outside with friends to ease the pain.
Method 2 of 3: Relieve Pain from Cramps
Step 1. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol consumption
Many people feel that cramping pain can be reduced by reducing the intake of these two drinks. At the time before menstruation, reduce consumption of coffee and alcohol. Try to avoid it completely when you start to feel cramps.
- If you experience severe cramps, you should make lifestyle changes by avoiding alcohol and caffeine throughout the month, not just during your period.
- Replace coffee with black tea. This can drastically reduce your caffeine intake, but still contain enough caffeine to give you a boost in the morning.
Step 2. Exercise often
Several medical studies have shown that severe cramping is significantly reduced in women who exercise regularly. Exercising throughout the month will help reduce pain drastically, and continuing to exercise when cramps hit can help relax your muscles and make you feel more comfortable.
- Do cardio exercises like swimming, cycling, and running throughout the month.
- Add weight training as this will strengthen your muscles and improve your overall health.
- When the cramp really hits, get rid of the cramp by doing some light yoga or going for a walk.
Step 3. Try taking hormonal contraceptives
Contraceptives contain progestin and estrogen, which are hormones that thin the lining of the uterus so that the uterus doesn't have to contract as much to release it. This means that women who use contraception are less likely to develop severe cramps. Ask your doctor or midwife for a prescription for contraception.
- Hormonal contraceptives are given in the form of injections, pills, vaginal rings, and several other methods. Choose a method that works for you.
- Hormonal contraceptives are strong drugs and have side effects. Research before using this method to relieve cramps.
Method 3 of 3: Knowing When to Go to the Doctor
Step 1. Be alert if the symptoms are severe
For most women, the cramps will go away after a few hours or a day. For some women, cramps can be a serious problem that interferes with daily activities. If you experience it, the pain from the cramping may be due to a reproductive problem. Go to the doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Cramps keep you from getting out of bed so you can't go to school, work, or complete routine tasks.
- Cramps don't go away for more than 2 days.
- Cramps are so painful that they make you have migraines, feel nauseous, or vomit.
Step 2. Get yourself checked for reproductive disorders
Your doctor may run tests to see if you have a disorder that's making your cramps worse. Find out about some of the reproductive disorders below:
- Endometriosis. This is a common condition that occurs when the uterine lining is partially outside the uterus, causing extreme pain.
- Fibroids. These are small tumors that can grow on the uterine wall and cause pain.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease. This is a kind of infection that can cause severe pain.
Tips
- Drink plenty of water to help cleanse your system.
- One in ten women experience menstrual pain so severe that they cannot carry out their normal routine for at least 1 to 3 days while they are menstruating.
- Get more sleep, and try to go to bed earlier than usual.
- Yoga is known to be beneficial for women who are menstruating. This will help you relax and temporarily relieve pain. You may want to cut back on your yoga practice after your period ends, but there's a good chance that you'll continue to practice yoga after that.
- Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory drug and works to reduce swelling. This medicine cannot cure cramps.
- The IUD can cause excessive menstrual cramps in some women.
- Cramps in some women become less severe after they give birth.
