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Menstrual period is a testing time for every woman. All women experience some or other discomfort during this time. The best alternative for this is to be active, identify the cause and act accordingly. Most of the young, school-going girls in their early years of periods face such challenges. Some fear staining, some fear leakage, some fear discomfort, while a few also suffer from moderate to severe cramps in the abdomen. This makes it difficult for them to pull through an entire day at school.
Due to this many girls miss their school on those days when they feel they will not be able to pull it off the entire day. But fortunately, there are a number of alternatives that can help girls to manage period cramps at school and also not miss out on academics. Menstrual pain is normal, but it doesn’t mean that you have to suffer in silence! In this blog, we will discuss a number of remedies on how to stop menstrual cramps and feel better during your period.
The blog contains suggestions on food choices as well as activities that help to reduce menstrual cramps.
Let’s read on and find out more.
What are Menstrual cramps?
A cramp is defined as intense pain in the stomach or just a dull ache, and this can be also accompanied by pain on your right or left side, as well as lower back pain and symptoms of nausea. Some women may even feel dizzy and suffer from diarrhea during periods.
Such cramps are experienced by girls mostly after ovulation has taken place. At this time, the egg travels to the Fallopian tubes. The cramps are caused by hormonal as well as biological changes that take place in the body when a girl is having her period. Usually, they begin a few days before your period is due. Generally, it’s around your abdomen and back, but it can also affect your legs, or cause you to have headaches.
Different girls experience varying symptoms, while some don’t experience them at all. Those girls who suffer from Endometriosis have even more severe cramps during this time. But there are remedies for the same. Let’s take a look.
Home Remedies for Menstrual cramps
Following is the list of solutions for minimizing cramps caused by periods :
1. Food choices
2. Medicines
3. Lifestyle changes
4. Visits to the doctor
Let’s look at each of these points in detail.
Foods that help reduce Menstrual cramps
The Indian kitchen is full of herbs and spices that can be used as medicines to manage period cramps. Firstly a balanced diet can help reduce the painful cramps you experience during periods. Consuming the right amount of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin D & omega oils, help to boost up the body’s natural defense mechanism and combat the painful period cramping.
Some of the Home remedies for menstrual cramps are as follows:
1. Ginger
It is the perfect remedy for the most terrible stomach cramps. Ginger has properties in alleviating inflammation and pain. It also helps to get relief from symptoms of nausea, which is caused due to cramps. To enjoy the benefits of ginger, you can have it in your tea, your soup or simply in its natural form.
2. Oily fish
Oily fish such as salmon are full of omega-3, which is a well known anti-inflammatory fat that can aid in fighting your menstrual cramps. Not only does it lessen the intensity of the pain, but omega-3 is even known to reduce the level of anxiety and depression.
3. Iron-rich vegetables
The loss of iron in the body during periods due to excessive bleeding can make your menstrual cramps worse. This is one of the main reasons why many girls experience more pain during the first, second and even third day of their periods. It is advisable to load up on foods that are high in iron such as spinach, fenugreek leaves, beetroot, and other leafy green vegetables to ward off these symptoms and replenish the iron levels in the body.
4. Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate is considered to be the most craved edible product by women. Excess sugar is definitely bad for period cramps. Hence dark chocolate is a better option. It will satisfy the sweet tooth and also help to relax the muscles and provide the much-needed boost of magnesium. So indulge in some dark chocolate to keep those nasty cramps at bay.
5. Banana
Banana is a great superfood due to the high levels of potassium it contains. This makes bananas a very essential food item during menses as the lack of potassium may actually lead to cramping.
Medicines that aid in handling Menstrual cramps
It is absolutely alright to have medications during the menstrual cycle in order to get relief from abdominal cramps. Medicines are the easiest and the most universally used relief measures that you can find in order to ease period cramps.
Below mentioned are the two most common types of medicines prescribed by doctors to help get relief from the cramps.
1. Ibuprofen
This generic drug is used to treat pain in the abdomen. There are a number of pain relievers like Advil and Tylenol, but there are also pain relievers that are targeted towards period symptoms such as Midol. It is always recommended to take medications under your doctor’s supervision.
2. Birth Control pills
Birth control pills are not only used to ward off pregnancy but also have other benefits as well. They can help to regulate the period and can even help to reduce the cramps caused by irregular periods or heavy periods.
Lifestyle changes to handle cramps at school
1. Regular exercise
It is advisable to keep a regular routine of exercise in order to ease period cramps. Against the popular belief that you must rest during your periods, a little amount of regular exercise, of medium to low level of intensity can help in fighting against period cramps. The body becomes agile and is able to fight back the pain. So head for a morning walk or do some light home stretching exercises or yoga to keep those cramps at bay.
2. Having a balanced diet
A balanced diet is the key to all period related issues. Having less oily, spicy and fried foods, especially when your periods are approaching is advisable since it helps to reduce the intensity of the period and also reduces the cramps. Having fruits and green leafy vegetables will always aid you in periods as well as improve your overall health.
If the cramps don’t appear to be normal or you feel that they are worse than usual, it may need medical attention. Your doctor can guide for any underlying cause which might be making the cramps feel worse, such as endometriosis. The doctor can even suggest the best birth control pill that suits you. Thus, if everything is tried on this list and yet nothing has worked then it is best to give the doctor a call.
Also recommended
Easy Treatment Options for Irregular Periods- The Ultimate Home Remedies Guide
