Over half of the feminine population experience menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrheal) are quivering or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. A lot of women endure menstrual cramps before and during their menstrual periods.
For some women, the distress is barely annoying. For others, menstrual cramps can be severe enough to impede everyday activities for a few days every month. Menstrual cramps happen when your uterus contracts to shed the uterine lining.
What causes menstrual cramps?
1. Menstrual cramps are most likely a result of excess prostaglandins—hormone-like compounds that are discharged from the uterine lining (the endometrium) as it prepares to be shed.
Prostaglandins help the uterus contract and relax so that the endometrium can separate and flow out of your body.
They are an essential part of the cycle, but in essence, they cause pain if the uterus contracts strongly, blood flow is reduced, and the supply of oxygen to the uterus muscle tissue decreases, causing pain.
2. Inflammation plays a role in the production of prostaglandins, and inflamed tissue tends to produce more prostaglandins.
3. People who experience more menstrual pain have also been exhibited with higher levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, even after adjustment for factors pertained to chronic inflammation, like BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
4. You are more likely to have painful periods if you have heavy or long period bleeding, if you started menstruating early in life, or if your periods are irregular.
5. Another factor that has been attributed to painful periods includes smoking, a thin body, being younger than 30, having a pelvic infection, and being sterilized.
How to feel better during your period
Enduring mens cramps every month can be as exhausting as it is painful. Nonetheless, there are many remedies that might help you feel better during period cramps.
1. Drink more water
Bloating can result in discomfort and make menstrual cramps worse. Drinking water can reduce bloating during your period and ameliorate some of the pain it causes. Also, drinking hot water can increase blood flow all through your body and relax your muscles.
2. Enjoy herbal teas
Herbal teas have anti-inflammatory properties and antispasmodic compounds that can decrease the muscle twinges in the uterus which causes cramps.
Drinking chamomile or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to lessen menstrual cramps. Plus, herbal teas can have other benefits like stress relief and helping with sleeplessness.
3. Skip the treats
While a cookie or chocolate might sound delicious, foods high in sugar, Trans fat, and salt can cause bloating and inflammation, which makes muscle pain and cramps worse. Grab a banana or any piece of fruit to fight sugar cravings if you want something more savory.
4. Try dietary supplements
Vitamin D can help your body assimilate calcium and reduce inflammation. Other supplements, like omega-3, vitamin E, and magnesium, can help decrease inflammation and may even make your periods less painful. For favorable results, take supplements every day, not only when you see your period.
5. Exercise
If you’re in pain, exercise is definitely the last thing on your mind. But even gentle exercises discharge endorphins that make you feel happy, reduce pain and relax your muscles.
Women who exercise regularly often have less menstrual pain. To help prevent cramps, make exercise a part of your weekly routine.
6. Apply heat
Heat can also help. Place a warm pad or towel or hot water bottle on your lower back or tummy. A warm bath may also give some relaxation.
7. Message
Boost the blood flow and ease the pain on your belly by rubbing a cream with a blend of lavender or marjoram oils on their stomach during period pain. These essential oils have pain-killing components.
Note: I advise you to speak to your doctor if you have tried to manage your cramps with medicine and home treatment but you do not feel better.
If your cramps are a result of a health problem not related to your period, such as endometriosis, you may need other treatment.
