Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
If you’re a female, at some point in time, you’ll most likely experience menstrual cramps – a symptom that usually accompanies your monthly reminder of womanhood, better known as your ‘period.’ Medically referred to as “dysmenorrhea,” menstrual cramps causes dull or throbbing pains that take place in the lower region of the stomach. Most women encounter this kind of cramping just before and during their menstrual periods. While nagging for most, some women battle unbearable pain.
Causes and Symptoms
When you have a menstrual period, the uterus contracts in an effort to aid in pushing out the lining. Hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, known to cause inflammation and pain, are famous for triggering uterine muscle contractions [1]. Many doctors are unclear as to how prostaglandins bring about initial menstrual cramping, but believe they play a significant role in the process. Other conditions can cause secondary menstrual cramping, such as:
- Endometriosis: Painful condition that causes the tissues lining the uterus to become implanted outside of the uterus.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Infection that attacks the female reproductive organs.
- Intrauterine Device (IUD): A method of birth control that involves a small, plastic, T-shaped device inserted into the uterus.
- Adenomyosis: Tissue lining the uterus begins to grow within the muscular walls of the uterus.
- Uterine Fibroids and Uterine Polyps: Non-cancerous tumors and growths that extend beyond the lining of the uterus.
The primary signs and symptoms of menstrual cramps include a dull or throbbing pain found in the lower abdomen, and pain that travels throughout the lower back and thighs. Additional reactions may involve excessive sweating, loose stools, nausea, and vomiting.
Menstrual Cramp Home Remedies
Menstrual cramps will affect most women at some point in their lives. The symptoms can annoyingly make your day unpleasant or become so severe that your regular routine is disrupted. To ease the pain and discomfort associated with this condition, consider the following home remedies for menstrual cramps:
a) Regular Exercise:
Ease painful menstrual cramping by embracing sessions of routine exercise, as this practice increases the release of endorphins – one of your body’s natural methods of killing pain.
b) Hot Water Bottle:
Place a hot water bottle on your stomach to relieve cramps.
c) Kitchen Towel:
For those of you who don’t have a hot water bottle handy, soak a kitchen towel in water and wring out the excess liquid. Place the towel in the microwave and heat it up for one minute. Place on the abdomen and pay close attention not to burn your skin.
d) Water:
Keep a water bottle close to you because if you become dehydrated, you’ll only worsen your menstrual cramps.
e) Sexual Intercourse:
Relieve abdominal cramping by having an orgasm, as the repeated muscle movement causes blood and other fluids to flee your congested organs. In the end, you will enjoy much more than just pain relief.
f) Aspirin:
Treat menstrual cramping by taking an aspirin or another product containing acetaminophen. Over-the-counter selections with ibuprofen, like Advil and Nuprin, will also provide relief from cramping.
g) Yoga:
Yoga stretching during your monthly period not only treats abdominal cramps, but also provides a much-needed burst of relaxation that can help ease other symptoms associated with your menstrual cycle.
h) Mint:
Relieve your cramps with peppermint or wintergreen, especially when added to a tea. Drink one to two cups per day. Throughout the day, you may also suck on mint candy.
i) Drink Hot Liquids:
When your pelvic region feels congested and cramped, allow the warmth of hot liquids to increase your blood flow and relax your muscles. Some of the best drinks include hot herbal teas and warmed up lemonade.
j) Mineral Bath:
Take a dip in your very own herbal spa treatment to relieve cramps. Comprised of one cup of sea salt and one cup of baking soda added to warm water, this home remedy works by relaxing your muscles. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
k) Parsley:
Parsley not only increases menstruation and aids in regulating a monthly period, but parsley juice also treats painful cramping. Blend and drink 75 milliliters of parsley, beet, carrot, and cucumber juices for maximum results.
l) Ginger:
During times of a painful menstruation, use ginger as an effective home remedy. Pound a piece of ginger and boil it in a cup of water for a couple of minutes. Sweeten the infusion with sugar and drink three times daily after meals.
m) Vitamins and Minerals:
Make sure you get a decent amount of vitamins and minerals, which can lead to fewer issues with menstrual cramping. It is suggested to take a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement, especially one that provides the body with calcium. Choose supplements that deliver small doses so that you can take one after each meal.
n) Magnesium:
Calcium is greatly associated with lessening the amount of pain that menstrual cramps bring. Taking a magnesium supplement before and during your period will help your body effectively absorb more calcium.
o) Lay Off the Caffeine:
For some, the oils found in coffee can cause irritation in the intestines. Overall, the caffeine contained in tea, coffee, cola drinks, and chocolate can add to your menstrual cramping by increasing your nervous energy.
p) Basil:
Basil possesses a pain-killing component called caffeic acid, which can bring relief to menstrual cramping. You can either use it as a spice when cooking or steep the basil in a tea. Add two tablespoons of basil leaves to one pint of boiling water. Cover tightly and allow the blend to cool at room temperature. Drink ½ to one cup of the basil tea every hour to ease your cramps.
q) Cinnamon:
The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties associated with cinnamon can ease the symptoms of menstrual cramping. Sprinkle cinnamon on your breakfast foods or add to a tea.
Resources
[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menstrual-cramps/DS00506/DSECTION=causes
I noticed that you have a lot of spices listed for home remedies for cramps. I’d like to add fennel, which is known to increase circulation to the ovaries. Crush one teaspoon of fennel seeds to make a powder. I use a mortar and pestle. Then, add one cup of boiling water. Let it steep for five minutes. Strain it and then drink it while it is still hot!
Fish Oil.. I swear by it. It’s an antispasmodic so it really helps with serious cramps.. Take a tad more then what is “normal” the day or to before the cramps start and during the days you tend to have your cramps the most… it will ease the pain to bearable.. But remember to keep inmind that excess salt and sugar will make cramps much much worse.. Avoid salts and sugars(even when your period makes you crave it) as much as possible.
Here’s something most people don’t think about: Food. Ladies, I know this may be a toughy for some of you, but LAY OFF THE DAIRY! Dairy has been shown to make cramps, and periods all together unpleasent in any sense. Contrary to popular Belief, dairy is NOT your friend. Ask any Naturopathic MD and they’ll tell you the same.
A great herb to help with the uterus is Red Rhapsberry Leaf. I take a straight extract everyday and that helps to not only regulate periods, but it tones the uterus at the same time.
Drink lemon juice everyday. It would be an effective home remedy for menstrual pain.
You have put that Aspirin or other acetaminophen can be used… well Aspirin is NOT acetaminophen!!!!! Aspirin is a blood thinner and will actually make blood flow heavier. It will work for pain but will increase bleeding. Acetaminophen is Tylenol and also IB profen works as well for inflamation.
drink a lot of water & stretch lots.
dont drink soda it really makes em worse (id know from bad experiance)
one more word ibeprofin
Rocking yourself , no joke ! Sit with your knees against your chest and rock sideways or back & forth . i do it everytime i get the cramps , it makes them bareable . i get realy bad cramps wich sometimes make me want to be sick . This helps when there at there worst ! X
I say a good Banana always works for me…the cramps goes away only in a few minutes! They have to be ripe, yellow in color
PRAY! God really works
I was told once that salt helps your body make blood. I have noticed that I was less tired when I ate a bit of salt during my period.
Aspirin? Anything BUT Midol has ever worked for me. Tylenol just makes it dull. I’m going to try these though
) Thanks
Heating pads, hot teas,ibuprofen(advil) or naproxen(aleve) is good for pain,fish oil, and peppermint oil on the abdomen
nothing can be mirracale,just take paracitamol it will really work
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Drink a lot of water and take plain rice without masala sabaji.(beans,carrots useful for that time)if u have more pain try to take spasmindon tab only one time.Avoid cold water,salt, sugar,leave vegetable ,coffee,cold drinks,milk,panipuri,pickle,patato,tamato and non-veg item. Try to take black tea with tulasi and without sugar. it will more effect to circulate your blood and relief from cramping pain,and use your mind in your favorite movie.IT IS THE BEST MEDICINE WHAT I HAVE EXPRIENCED.
Nothing works better than taking a hot bubble bath, then try to get a massage and try to be as comfortable as possible, drink a hto cup of ginger tea and then take an Advil when ever the pain comes on. It really works…
Try drinking hot tea and heating raw rice in a sock and placing it on the abdomen. But hey what do I know? I’m thirteen and started my period for the 1st time 3 days ago.
One thing I think that really helps is light exercise. I don’t get cramps very often, but when I do, I just try and make some movement and it always helps. Also, just keeping yourself flexible by stretching frequently. I think one reason I haven’t had any bad cramps in a while is because I’ve been stretching regularly, nearly everyday as often as I can. Plus being bendy just comes in handy. XD Improving your diet as well. If you keep your body healthy, everything works better. A friend of mine swears by eating chocolate to relieve the worst of her cramps, but I’ve yet to try it, so I’m not sure. Also, cinnamon tea, ginger tea, oregano tea, ginseng tea, peppermint tea, marigold tea, chamomile tea, lantana tea, or Evening Primrose oil. Or any combination thereof. And try taking a bath with some lavender essential oil, mineral salts, and any of the herbs listed above thrown in. And then a nice cup of valerian root tea to send you off to sleep. ^-^
Ive found that Aleve is the best over the counter med for cramps.. Nothing else seems to help me.. I also have a massaging heating pad which works wonders when I have cramps.. It was only 30.00 at CVS and totally worth it! The massage feature helps my lower back and the heat helps too…
Drinking a cup of:
- tablespoon of an herb called Ajowan
- water
Drink around two days before your period helps A LOT (ajowan comes from the parsley family, which explains)
Avoid sodas and milk the week you’re expecting your period, and have some probiotic tablets to avoid bacterial infections
Drink hot milk along with some turmeric powder in it. This would reduce the congestion and thereby reduce the cramps
i started my period at age 9 and am now 26. the only thing i have ever found to help my period is a heating pad and laying on my side with my legs curled up to my chest. i have been dealing with stabbing painful cramps every month since i was 10.
soak fenugreek in light butter milk ( highly diluted curd/yoghurt)
and drink it up the next day morning on an empty stomach..itreally helps..
Chamomille hot tea works a lot for me, a heating pad, and some midol:)
PICKLE JUICE! it may sound weird, but it has been proven to be very effective to cure cramps (and hangovers)! as long as you can stomach the taste!
personally, i drink it like any normal type of juice so i’m fine with it but some people get sick after drinking too much, so don’t drink too much if you haven’t tried drinking pickle juice before!
what works for me:
AVOID DAIRY LIKE THE PLAGUE. This took me awhile to figure out, but I don’t have completely incapacitating cramps on days when I haven’t had any dairy. Before I knew to avoid it, I would miss class, work and special events because all I could do was take ibuprofen and sleep while I waited hours for it to kick in.
Take ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve) BEFORE the pain starts. It’s so much harder to get rid of pain than to prevent it.
Drink tons of water and do light exercise/yoga/walking. Stay active the whole month! When pain hits, standing knee lifts or a light march can do wonders.
Get a Bed Buddy microwave heating pad or make your own out of raw rice as mentioned above. Use every 15 minutes until the pain goes away.
Good luck everyone. Hope you have many pain-free days! I will try your suggestions.
I think better avoid paracetamols and other pain killers. Instead have hot water or tea without milk. Other option can be to have dried ginger(sonth) powder boiled in water. Believe me it really works.
I started my period when i was 12 and now i am 21 what ALWAYS works for me is nothing they are always there. They never ever go away but at least there is Advil PM to make you go to sleep!!!!!!!!!!
the best pain relief is eating a banana or taking parcetomol
HELLLP
I have had a period since I was 11. And always have had cramps…sometimes worse than others. I say wear comfortable clothes, don’t allow yourself to get cold. Aleve 2 of them really seem to work and help with cramping! And also increase blood flow which is excellent! I’m going to take a hot bathe with lavender and see how that helps.
hair dryer. hot on your tummy helps. really
for period pain
The reason the pickle juice helps is the dill. Dill is great for reducing cramping. Also if you get horrible cramps avoid soy, it makes cramping ten times worse.
I drink lots of hot tea, take a bath and also take so much pamprin that I should over dose on but it works amazing and pamprin puts me to sleep which also helps. I get bad cramps that make me cry so bad and sometimes even makes me pass out. It sucks but pamprin is my best friend ever
i suffer from ugly cramps every month…meftal spas(tablet) has been working the best for me..u need to take it
after a meal 1 or 2 days before ur period starts.also,bananas take care of my loose stools.methi seeds soaked in water(10-15) clears the uterus easily & eases the pain.good luck all..may all of us get rid of pain…peace!!!
when pain is severe just press on abdominal area where ribs ends ie. at epigastrium, with your fingers.
press your epigastrium ie. your abdomen where ribs ends with tips of fingers.
Deep heating well patch on the abdomen, chamomile tea with honey, and rest was a miracle for me. Don’t forget four liquid gel Advils and I’m good to go. I’m going to try the other teas as well. Thanks!
drinking hot water def helps to an extent and also a soft massage .. i try n eat but for some reasons i jus cant eat during the 1st 2 days any body knows y ?
Thanks everybody, ur suggestions are v helpful and saved my life i must add…with three year old daughter of mine am suffering these pain every 26 days and PMS for about one week before periods is like cherry on the cake, i hate taking any pill as it makes me drowsy and sleepy..i need do be on my toe to look after my three year old monster(just kidding she is not all that bad). am feeling much better after drinking herbal Tea and ginger drink , of course the hot water pad is most help full….thank u again for making my life easier …its better to stick to home remedies than the pills.
warm milk with egg and honey, its disgusting but it helps
salt and vinegar potato chips; kettle style with malt vinegar and sea salt
PAMPRIN USUALLY HELPS. CARROT JUICE EVERY MORNING HELPS TO. ALSO A HOT TOWEL APPLIED TO UR STOMATCH WITH THE FAN ON AND FALL ASLEEP U WILL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. ALSO BREATHING EXCERCISE.
I’m 22 and I suffer terribly each month, sometimes the pain is so bad that the hot bottle doesn’t even help…
One thing that I know works is drinking MOLASSES. If ypou drink molasses (about i tsp in a cup of hot water) regularly, your period, when it comes, will be really light and might only last 3 days. This happened to me. unfortunately I don’t do it often so I suffer, but I’d say that this is a definite way to relieve cramps when u have them and to shorten the length of your period. Molasses is rich in iron.
Please try it and I hope that you get good results.
Every month I get the most intense and painful cramps ever. I find the most effective remedy is drinking a cup of coke or pepsi with the bubbles stirred out. Then take 2 midol and sit in a hot bath for a while. Chocolate and movies never hurt either! Hope this helps
Sour patch kids! Idk what it is but suck them and it does wonders!
My periods stated at the age of 13.. ad nw im 20 and from then till now,, what always worked for me was a paracetamol.. instant pain relief.. or if i dont have that,, i would simply tie a hot warm towel around my belly where the cramps get more severe,, it really helps to reduce the pain..
when my time of month comes it has always been so painfull i didn’t even go to school. one time i threw up everytime i moved, it was as if i had verdigo. what ALWAYS works for me is Niproxin, it’s a medicen served behind the counter, and i think it is like 30-40 canadian dollars, but it is worth it, as soon as i take it within 3 minutes my pain starts to go away. i’m no doctor so i can’t prescribe anything for anyone, however i do know when a pill works and when it doesn’t, and Niproxin is definitly better then Midol.
Reducing sugar intake before, during and after period also helps.
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