How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps
. Monday, August 8, 2011
Every month the uterus prepares for pregnancy by forming a lining. In case the women gets pregnant, the fertilized egg gets joined with this lining to get necessary conditioning to develop into a baby. But if the women does not get pregnant, the lining is not needed and it therefore degenerates by itself in the uterus and releases prostagladins (type of hormone). The muscles in the uterus press out the the lining and release it through the vagina in a fluid form. Menstrual cramps occur when there is a large amount of prostaglandin formed which needs to be removed. Different methods on how to relieve menstrual cramps are discussed below.
How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps with Medicines and Diet Changes?
- There are certain over the counter (OTC) drugs available in the market, which help to relive menstrual stress by helping in releasing more prostaglandins in the body. Naproxen and Ibubrofen can be taken after consulting a doctor.
- Oral contraceptive work for some women, but side effects of the same need to be considered before taking them.
- Vitamin B complex medicines can also be taken to reduce menstrual cramps and pain. These tablets need to be taken in moderation after consulting a doctor.
- Include more calcium rich food stuffs in the daily diet, like yogurt, milk and green vegetables. This helps in increasing calcium levels in the body, thereby reliving menstrual cramps or pain. Consuming magnesium supplements also helps in relaxing muscles around the uterus.
- While still on diet, it is important to keep a check on the amount of sugar, caffeine or salt being consumed in a day. Excess salt or coffee consumption could be a reason for cramps occurring.
- Consume as much water as possible and eat lots of fruits and fresh vegetables throughout the day. Excess estrogen in the body can be eliminated by consuming fibrous foodstuffs, thereby by preventing painful or heavy periods.
- For some women, it is observed that doing regular moderate exercises like walking, helps in effectively reducing the extent of menstrual cramps and pain they experience.
- A few stretches and yoga positions are also considered good ways to reduce menstrual pain and cramps. These should however be performed in the right manner, preferably under professional guidance.
- Massaging areas around the lower back is another way of reducing menstrual cramps. It helps in relaxing the muscles and consequently reduces the pain.
- Other than a massage, placing a hot bottle or heating pad on areas around the abdomen and lower back also helps. Do this after a nice and long warm water bath.
- Another effective exercise is lying face down on the pillow with knees bent, and holding the butt in the air. Staying in this position for a while tilts the uterus a bit, thus relieving pain or cramps in that body part.
- There are a few matural ways to relieve menstrual cramps as well. Various herbal medicines are available in the market, like cimicifuga raemosa and viburnum prunifolium, which cause an antipasmodic effect on the body when consumed. These help in relieving menstrual cramps, but should be taken only after consulting a doctor.
- It is observed among some women, that applying ice pack on the abdomen is more helpful in relieving menstrual cramps than hot water pads.
- Bromelain, a substance present in pineapples, has properties to relax muscles and relieve cramps. Therefore consuming pineapple juice or eating raw pineapple is helpful.
- Drinking raspberry herbal tea is another natural way to relieve menstrual cramps, considering the pain relieving properties present in this herbal tea
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