‘Cramp-cramp go away, don’t come any other day’
Isn’t this every woman’s behest.
No woman is alien to menstrual cramps. It’s like ‘part of the parcel’. If you get periods, you got to experience some amount of abdominal pain. Period.
I am a mother of a teenage daughter and let me share how we both tackle the agony of menstrual woes. And trust me, they work!
During this time, we all experience headaches, feeling of nausea, abdominal cramps, backaches, irritability and not to forget the famously-infamous pre-menstrual mood swings, PMS!
DO YOU KNOW - Some girls experience no pain during the first few years, but develop severe cramping later on.
Let’s have a look at those five magical things by which we can alleviate menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea ( the medical term for painful periods)
HEATING PAD
A heating pad when kept on the stomach helps relax the uterus and lower abdominal muscles. Once plugged in to a socket, it takes a wee bit of time to get heated up and within half-an-hour of keeping it on the lower abdomen, it provides great comfort, putting you back into action. The only drawback is that you need a private space and a plug point nearby.
DIET DURING PERIODS
Dark chocolate. Go, indulge!
And you don’t need to be guilty for this (and if anybody stops you from eating, invite them over to my write-up.) Dark chocolates contain high amount of magnesium which helps the nerves and muscles to function properly and prevents water retention. Few other magnesium rich foods that you should include in your diet are banana, green leafy vegetables, avocados, bananas and papaya.
Vitamin C, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and zinc help in releiving period cramps.
You must drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water, especially during these days, as water helps in increasing blood volume and circulation, which in turn relaxes muscles.
LIGHT EXERCISES & MEDITATION
Light exercises like breathing exercises, pranayam and meditation help in relaxing the body and mind. Being on the move also helps the body’s muscles to stretch and ease cramping.
MASSAGE
Massaging the lower abdomen with essential oils like lavender, ylang ylang, or chamomile oil, mixed with a carrier oil or cream helps a lot to ease muscles, relax the mind and elevate the mood. These essential oils are easily available in your nearby health and wellness store.
OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINES
Though, it would be best to consult a doctor beforehand, but if the pain is unbearable and causing excessive discomfort to the extent of hampering your day-to-day routine work, you can pop a pill. Analgesics (pain relieving medicines) specific to relieving muscle contractions (anti-spasmodics) can be taken. These are OTC medication. Its best to get them prescribed from your gynecologist or physician and take as in when needed.
My gynecologist friend once told em clearly, "People believe that taking medicine to relieve menstrual pain is harmful, but that’s a myth".
So, these were few of my tried and tested measure to help relieve period cramps and they work like magic. But as a cautionary advice, if you have excruciating aches, that none of the above cure, please consult a doctor to rule out possibilities of PCOD or fibroids.
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