Most women and girls experience cramps during their menstrual cycle. Cramps can range from mild discomfort to completely debilitating. There is no way to make them disappear entirely, but it is possible to reduce them and make them more manageable. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Get Quick Relief
Step 1. Warm the abdomen
Cramps occur because the uterus, which is a muscle, contracts to expel menstrual fluid. You can treat the uterus as if it were any other muscle, from a stretched hamstring to a taut neck, using heat. The heat relaxes the muscles and provides immediate (if not permanent) relief.
- Use a heating pad or hot water bottle. Lie down and place the plate or bag on the painful area. Rest for about 20 minutes to half an hour and let the heat work its magic.
- Take a warm bath. Fill the tub with hot water and enjoy the bath. Sprinkle the tub with lavender or roses or essential oils to help you relax even more.
Step 2. Get a massage
Another great way to relax a contracted muscle is to massage. Place your hand on the area that hurts and gently press down. Massage yourself for several minutes. Try to stay as relaxed as possible during the massage.
- You can massage both the abdomen and the back. Focus on the point where it feels like the pain is greatest.
- For an even more relaxing result, ask your partner to give you the massage. Make sure he or she doesn't put too much pressure.
Step 3. Make a herbal remedy
There are several herbs in nature that have long been used to relieve menstrual cramps. Make a cup of herbal tea with one of these herbs and sip it slowly to relieve pain temporarily. Find a health food store or herbalist's shop, and try the following herbal teas:
- Raspberry Leaf. This tea has a pleasant aroma and is known to relieve cramps.
- Viburnum (Viburnum opulus). This herb relaxes the uterus and helps relieve pain.
- Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis). This is used for several purposes, as it effectively soothes the nervous system.
Step 4. Take pain medication
Taking an over-the-counter medication is one of the most effective ways to get rid of cramps. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen work quickly to relieve pain. They can be found in pharmacies or parapharmacies.
- Some pain relievers are specifically aimed at relieving cramps and other menstrual pains. Look for a drug with acetaminophen.
- Take only the dosage recommended on the package. If the pain does not subside after about an hour, try different methods instead of taking other medicines.
Step 5. Have an orgasm
Orgasms are known to eliminate the pain of cramps as they relax the uterus and take away the contractions. If you feel like it, have sex or masturbate for pain relief.
Method 2 of 3: Tips to Make Cramps Less Painful
Step 1. Drink less caffeine and alcohol
Many women find that reducing consumption decreases the severity of cramps. In the days leading up to your period, cut back on coffees and appetizers. Avoid them altogether if you have cramps.
- If you have a lot of painful cramps, get rid of caffeine and alcohol completely throughout the month, not just during your period.
- Try replacing coffee with black tea. This will drastically reduce your caffeine intake, but still drink enough to give yourself a little help in the morning.
Step 2. Exercise more
Medical studies have shown that women who exercise more have less painful cramps. Exercising all month helps you minimize pain, and if you continue exercising, your muscles relax and you will feel better.
- Do cardio exercises like running, swimming, and cycling throughout the month.
- Add weight training to your routine, as it strengthens muscles and improves overall health.
- During the painful phase, doing lighter exercises like yoga or walking can help relieve the cramps.
Step 3. Consider taking birth control
They contain estrogen and progestogen, hormones that create a thin uterine lining, and allow the uterus not to contract and to relax. This means that women who take birth control tend to have less painful cramps. To get a prescription for these medicines, contact a gynecologist.
- The anticonceptual hormone is administered in the form of pills, injections, vaginal ring, or by other methods. Choose the one that's right for you.
- The contraceptive is a strong drug with side effects. Do a thorough research before deciding whether to take it to relieve cramps.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding When a Doctor is Needed
Step 1. Be aware of severe symptoms
In most women, the cramps go away after a few hours or a day. For others it can be a serious problem that disrupts regular activities. If this is the case for you, the cramps could be a sign that what is actually causing the pain is a reproductive problem. See a doctor if the following symptoms occur:
- Cramps so severe that they force you to stay in bed rather than go to school, work, or do your usual activities.
- Cramps lasting more than 2 days.
- Cramps so painful they cause you to migraine, feel sick, or vomit.
Step 2. Make a gynecological examination
Your doctor may do tests to see if you have a problem that is causing such severe cramps. Do some testing for the following reproductive disorders:
- Endometriosis. This is a common condition where the uterine lining is partially outside the uterus, causing a lot of pain.
- Fibroids. These are small benign tumors that can grow on the uterine wall and cause pain.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease. It is a type of infection that can cause severe pain.
Advice
- One in ten women suffer from severe menstrual pain that prevents normal activity for at least 1-3 days during their period.
- Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling. It doesn't work for cramps.
- Some women report less severe cramps after becoming pregnant.
- The IUD can cause increased cramping during periods in some women.
Related wikiHows
- How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps
- How to get rid of menstrual cramps
- How to Cure a Cramp
