Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus. During each menstrual period, if there is no sperm to fertilize the egg, the uterus contracts to expel its lining. Most menstrual cramps are not serious and don’t signal that something is wrong with your body. Cramping can cause a dull or throbbing pain in the lower abdomen, and radiate pain to the lower back and thighs. Cramps generally subside after the first two to three days of the period. For many women their bleeding time each month can be a painful experience, they unaware of the effective natural home remedies for menstrual cramps can make their periods more comfortable.
Here are the top 7 home remedies for menstrual cramps.
1. Use a heat treatment
Applying heat to your abdomen and lower back is the easiest way to control menstrual cramps. Heat helps to relax the contracting muscles in your uterus, which is the cause for your pain. There are a couple different courses of home treatments you can follow:
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle over the lower part of your abdomen and lower back.
If that haven’t gotten better after 15 to 20 minutes, try taking a hot bath with a cup or more of Epsom salts, which are a mild muscle relaxer.
2. Exercise
Studies show that women who perform regular exercise have less menstrual cramps. Exercising during menstrual cramps can help to ease your belly pain, as when you’re doing any type of aerobic exercise, your body is pumping more blood, this helps to increases the release of endorphins – one of your body’s natural methods of killing pain.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has antispasmodic, anticlotting and anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe menstrual cramps. Additionally, cinnamon is an excellent source of dietary fiber, calcium, and iron, as well as manganese, which may also help relieve the symptoms of menstruation. Add one-half teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one tablespoon of honey to a glass of warm water. Drink it three times during the first day of your period to relieve pain. Click here to learn more Health Benefits of Cinnamon.
4. Yoga
For the common menstrual cramps, yoga can be of great help in reducing stress and relaxing the cramping muscles. Fertility Yoga uses specific poses to keep the reproductive organs in proper alignment, with adequate circulation. You can also try other poses like “sphinx” to relax the nervous system, relieve low-back pain, reduce leg and abdominal aches, calm your emotions, and ease other menstrual discomforts. Read more about yoga. The last reference of this article shows a video of yoga poses for menstrual cramps.
5. Drink chamomile tea
Camomile tea has been known as a soothing remedy for menstrual cramps for many years, it has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help relax the uterus and ease the spasmodic contractions that cause pain during menstruation. Drink at least two cups of chamomile tea a day during the week before your period and 3-4 cups per day at the onset of your cramps.
6. Magnesium
One of magnesium’s many roles is as a muscle relaxant, that helps the powerful uterine muscles relax, reducing cramping. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, increasing magnesium is one effective way of treating menstrual cramps, as well as other types of menstrual-related pain — including headaches and nausea. Foods that are high in magnesium include Swiss chard, spinach, summer squash, pumpkin seeds, broccoli and other green, leafy vegetables. It is also available as nutritional supplements. Contact your doctor about taking magnesium as well as other possible treatments for your condition.
7. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves sticking the skin with small needles to stimulate the body at certain points. Studies show that acupuncture is just as effective as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines for reducing pain. Acupuncture helps improve the circulation of blood around the pelvis, alleviates the congestion of blood, and relaxes the muscles of the pelvic walls and the ovary. Acupuncture may not be suitable for pregnant women with menstrual cramps, or patients with blood disease and blood clotting abnormalities.
Yoga for menstrual cramps relief: Alleviate & Purify
