How to Stop Period Cramps from Affecting Your Life
Dealing with monthly period cramps can be painful and frustrating. Known as dysmenorrhea, it affects over 50% of women every month. Period pain can also mean headaches, but in most cases, it involves experiencing menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps can cause pain that spreads into the lower back, thighs, and stomach. It occurs when your womb’s uterine wall sheds, and the pain results from your uterine walls contracting. Luckily, several remedies can help relieve you of period pain and help you remain productive and active. Here are a few helpful tips.
- Drink more water
Drinking more water might seem almost too good to be true, especially as a solution to managing your period pain. Studies show that women who drank about 7 cups of water daily were less likely to experience menstrual cramps. But what makes regular water consumption a good solution to fighting period pain? Scientists have determined that slight deviations from the recommended 8 cups of water daily can cause your body to release vasopressin. This hormone could also cause severe uterine contractions by tensing up your muscles. Regularly drinking water can also reduce bloating and alleviate pain. Hot water can also increase your blood flow and keep your muscles relaxed. Although experts recommend drinking at most 8 cups of water daily, how much you consume depends on several factors. You should drink more water if you live in warmer climates or are athletic. You would also need more water if you lost a significant amount of water in a short period. That could be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, or after you’ve been drinking alcohol.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods
The food you eat can affect the severity of your menstrual cramps, and if you struggle with period pain regularly, making changes in your diet can help relieve that pain. Studies show a relationship between the food you eat and the amount of estrogen your body produces. Estrogen-rich foods cause your uterine walls to thicken, which can cause more pain during your period. An anti-inflammatory diet consists of eating dark leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains that actively work towards reducing inflammation throughout your body. Avoid excessive animal-based products and fatty foods, including red meat and dairy. These foods can also cause excessive bloating. Try to limit your junk food intake as much as possible and switch to healthier alternatives and snacks. Healthier anti-inflammatory foods can drastically reduce your estrogen production, which also has other important benefits, such as reducing your risk of developing breast cancer. Luckily, there are tons of amazing meals that you can prepare with healthier options, and you might start to see changes in your cycle much earlier than you’d think.
- Exercise regularly
Exercising while in pain might seem counterintuitive, especially since it might seem like it could worsen your situation. It’s probably also the last thing you’d want to do when you’re in pain. But it just might be what you need to get yourself active and find some relief. Studies show that exercise has a huge impact on reducing menstrual pain. Slow or moderately-paced activities such as yoga, brisk walks, swimming, and cycling are great exercises to help reduce period pain. Exercise also helps your body produce pain-relieving hormones called endorphins, nicknamed “human morphine.” Endorphins can naturally suppress pain and help burn the chemicals that produce cramping quicker.
Exercising during your period is also great for tackling any water retention and gives you an extra energy push to help you carry on throughout that period. So, don’t be tempted to spend your days in bed for long periods and increase your fatigue. With short and easy exercises, you might forget your pain in the first place!
- Use cannabis
In recent years, it has become more widely accepted to use cannabis for medical purposes. It can reduce pain associated with various illnesses like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. It is also an effective treatment option for inflammation and other pain conditions. Medical cannabis or marijuana can also treat period pain since it is a natural pain reliever, making it easier for most women to manage their cycles better. There are also various ways you can use cannabis. You can smoke or vape cannabis, use it topically as a cream or oil, or take it as an edible. Edibles like the Delta 9 THC gummies are excellent choices, especially since they can help you control your dosage. You should speak with your doctor about using cannabis to treat your pain, especially if orthodox drugs like painkillers are no longer effective in helping you manage your inflammation.
- Get on hormonal contraceptives
Studies show that hormonal contraceptives can help alleviate painful period cramps. Birth control pills are the most common contraceptives used to treat menstrual pain. Because it controls how much estrogen and progesterone enter your body, it decreases ovarian production, reducing ovulation and making your periods more bearable.
Other alternatives include the hormonal IUDs that you can insert into your uterus and lessen your period pain, as well as the ring and the patch. Before considering using birth control to regulate your cycle and provide relief, ensure you speak with your doctor. It would be best if you also kept in mind that even though this solution might work for others, it might not work for you.
- Try over-the-counter painkillers
The first line of action that your doctor might recommend would be to use over-the-counter painkillers to reduce your menstrual pain. You must also continue your painkiller intake to ensure the pain is gone. There are various types of painkillers that you can purchase depending on the severity of your condition. However, if these drugs don’t work, you must get a prescription for stronger painkillers from your doctor. It would help if you also regulated your painkiller intake, especially since its side effects could harm your health in the long run. Constantly taking painkillers can cause digestion issues, high blood pressure, and kidney damage.
Living with and experiencing period pain every month is a huge problem for many women, especially since it slows them down and prevents them from being productive. Fortunately, with these tips, you can take control of your pain and get your life back on track.
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