How to naturally reduce pain caused by your period cramps.
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Every month it happens and every month we dread it! I’m here to help you get through “that time of the month” a little easier! If you’re like most women at the first sign of your period you jump for the pain reliever! Believe me, I know I used to do it too. What if you could skip the Midol, Advil, Aleve, and Tylenol, or at least reduce the amount you are taking? I am sure you are intrigued and like you just a few short years ago I stopped taking Midol and started looking for natural remedies for menstrual cramps.
I know this is a subject that is usually not talked about but I believe it deserves a spotlight. Don’t worry I won’t be graphic but I will definitely share what at-home care works for many women. When aunt flow first started to visit me not only was I ridiculously bloated but my cramps were horrific! My family doctor prescribed me medicine that’s how bad my cramps were, I even used to have to stay home from school. Oh, how I wish I knew then what I know now!
Why you shouldn’t always reach for pain reliever.
It doesn’t matter if you are using them for period cramp relief or other reasons you may want to put that bottle down. Now I am not saying to never use pain reliever I am just saying only use when absolutely necessary. Any NSAID will increase heart attacks as well as strokes, they also thin your blood while taking them. If you “need” alcohol stay away from NSAIDs as they can cause worse liver damaged than alcohol alone. Finally, if you think you are safe with Midol think twice, it states right on the box in very small font “May cause infertility”, I am not saying that this happens to everyone but I had been taking Midol a few times a month for years and just noticed that statement a couple of years ago, that’s when I turned to natural remedies for menstrual cramps. Ever since I saw that small disclaimer I have always wondered if that is a contribution as to why we still have yet to have a child. I know what you’re thinking, “have you seen your doctor?” Yes we have and we have seen a specialist and fortunately, we are both fine. The doctors have said nothing is wrong that would indicate infertility BUT I always wonder if Midol did not help the situation. Please pay closer attention to the things you put in your body!
Natural Remedies for menstrual cramps.
Water, first and foremost when trying to feel better water should always be the first thing you reach for. You have a sinus infection- drink water, you have a postnasal drip- drink water, want period cramp relief- drink water! I can’t tell you how many people forget this basic thing that flushes away the bad stuff going on in our bodies. Just drink it, you’ll feel better!
A healthy diet and exercise always aid in how you feel during your period. It is important to eat healthily and if there is one thing I have noticed which is proven to help balance your hormones and reduce the pain during your cycle, its berries. All berries are great for you but if you really want a difference, reach for blueberries! Blueberries are known to balance out hormones and by doing so it makes your period cramps a lot less uncomfortable, by the way, they are also great for your skin! Also if you are not the biggest fan of their texture throw them in a smoothie. Along with a healthy diet, you should try to exercise a few times a week. Exercising is proven to reduce pain during your period.
Magnesium, helps by relaxing the vaginal muscles in our bodies, you can take a supplement but if you eat a lot of magnesium-rich foods you shouldn’t need to take anything. Some more foods to incorporate into your diet are bananas, almonds, dark chocolate, black beans, avocado, peanuts, low-fat yogurt, salmon, chicken, broccoli, rice, and oatmeal. There are so many more foods that are a good source of magnesium. If you really want a magnesium-rich meal, try my Very Berry Almond Butter Smoothie, this smoothie has blueberries, strawberries, almond milk, almond butter, oatmeal, and vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt.
Heating pads these work very well in period cramp relief. Besides adding blueberries and other foods to my diet I have found at the onset of cramps a heating pad really soothes the pain away.
Acupressure, if you have been following my work you know that I discussed acupressure in a few posts such as How To Naturally Relieve A Headache. When using these other natural remedies for menstrual cramps I found that acupressure is also a big savior. Below I have linked a video by Goodful.
Tea, these popular teas are great natural remedies for menstrual camps chamomile, peppermint, ginger, and fennel. These teas have a calming effect on the body and can reduce the pain associated with your cramps.
Boost your endorphins, it is actually known that by boosting them they will boost your mood and can reduce pain. There are a few ways to achieve this, one is with exercise and another is by orgasm. I know this is not usually the time you want to orgasm but you can get a similar effect by tightening your vaginal muscles and releasing them also known as Kegels. I personally have tried this during mine and it does work.
Cyclease, if you’ve read My Allergy And Sinus Preventative Maintenance Routine then you know the brand Boiron. This is a homeopathic company and I absolutely love their product. Cyclease is another great product from them specifically for period cramp relief.
My final thoughts.
I am not a doctor, I just want to help other women who are looking for natural remedies for menstrual cramps. These remedies have helped me but may not work for everyone, by combining the above remedies they should help at least reduce the pain. I also want to state if your cramps are severe you should seek help from a medical professional. If you are constantly taking NSAID’s and really do not have much relief it may be a sign that there is something serious going on.
I hope I have helped you and if I have missed anything please comment below!
Hey there! I’m the owner & author of Life Is Homemade (the blog), as well as Mad About Madeleines. I hope you enjoyed some of the delicious recipes, how-to’s, DIYs, & product reviews I blogged about. Thank you for your previous support I hope you stick around on my new journey with Mad About Madeleines.
This will definitely come in handy! I always have chamomile tea in the house but I never thought to use it as a remedy for cramps!!
Yes! There are so many great natural ways to help and chamomile is just one of them!