Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

More than 75% of women experience menstrual cramps (also called dysmenorrhea), and at least 10% of them experience severe menstrual cramps. Severe menstrual cramps will drastically affect a woman's quality of life for a few days of each cycle. If your monthly cycle is accompanied by pain, soreness, and discomfort, you can ease your symptoms through some medical or life-changing measures. Maybe for you, having a period isn't a pleasant process, but at least you can get rid of some of its worst symptoms.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Seek medical treatment to relieve severe pain

1. 

   Determine which menstrual cramps you are experiencing. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. The first type is quite common and is less serious than the second, although both conditions cause severe pain. You can consult your doctor about pain relievers for these two types, but if you are experiencing secondary menstrual cramps, you will need medical treatment and should see your doctor as soon as possible. .
   • Primary dysmenorrhea is common and is caused by hormones and hormone-like substances released during the menstrual cycle. Prostaglandin (a group of fatty acids in the body) helps to loosen the uterine lining, but the body can overproduce it as well. In that case, the prostaglandin will limit the blood flow to the uterus, causing abdominal pain. Any woman who has a period can experience primary dysmenorrhea, and it usually starts a few days before menstruation and goes into remission when the menstrual cycle ends.
   • Secondary dysmenorrhea, however, is caused by underlying health problems, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections, problems with intrauterine devices. bowel (also called an IUD), or fibroids. Secondary dysmenorrhea is more severe, and usually affects women who have been menstruating for many years. It can also be painful even if the person is not experiencing premenstrual syndrome or menstruation.
   • If your pain is caused by endometriosis or fibroids, you may need surgery to stop it. If your menstrual cramps are caused by pelvic inflammation, you will need to take prescription antibiotics.

2. 

   
   
   Seek medical help right away if you are experiencing disturbing symptoms. If you experience various symptoms with pain, you should seek immediate medical attention. These can be signs of a problem more serious than the usual menstrual cramps:
   • Change in vaginal fluids
   • Fever
   • Sudden or throbbing pain when your period is late
   • You have had an IUD in place for a few months and are still in pain
   • You think you are pregnant
   • Pain doesn't stop when menstruation ends
   • Talk to your doctor if your menstrual pain doesn't go away after you've made some recommended changes. Your doctor will do an ultrasound or laparoscopy to make sure you don't have cysts, infections, or other chronic medical conditions.

3. 

   
   
   Ask your doctor to prescribe birth control pills. Birth control pills (patch, ring, oral pill, injection) will minimize symptoms. Low-dose oral contraceptives will decrease the production of prostaglandins, thereby, relieve pain. Birth control pills are one of the most popular medical methods and are recommended for relieving menstrual cramps.
   • Hormonal birth control pills have side effects, such as deep vein thrombosis, acne breakouts, chest pain, and high blood pressure. Today, however, these drugs are much safer than in the past, and the risks they pose are negligible. You should discuss this with your doctor.
   • Even if you stop taking the drug after 6-12 months of use, the pain relief effects persist. Many women believe that their pain gets better even after they stop taking birth control pills.
   • Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that contain hormones, like Mirena, will help treat severe pain.
   • Some forms of contraception will also reduce the frequency of your periods, meaning some women only go through 4 menstrual cycles instead of 12 in a year, and many others won't even have one. business. These forms are called continuous birth control pills, and many doctors believe they are just as safe as other types of birth control. Minimizing the frequency of your menstrual cycle will reduce menstrual cramps.

4. 

   
   
   Ask your doctor to prescribe stronger pain relievers for you if conventional medications don't work. While it's a good idea to try over-the-counter pain relievers first, there's a chance they won't work for you. Discuss the use of prescription pain relievers, such as mefenamic acid, with your doctor. advertisement

Method 2 of 4: Use over-the-counter medications to relieve pain

1. 

   Consult with your doctor if you can take an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally very effective at relieving menstrual cramps. NSAIDs are not only pain relievers, but also anti-inflammatory drugs, meaning they help stimulate blood flow to the uterus, thereby helping to relieve pain. They can also reduce menstrual bleeding. Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.
   • However, not everyone can use NSAIDs. People under the age of 16, or suffering from asthma, liver or kidney problems, should not take NSAIDs. You should talk to your doctor before taking any pain reliever.
   • NSAIDs are the most effective medications for menstrual cramps, but you can take other alternative pain relievers if you're not authorized to take them. For example, a pain reliever like acetaminophen will help.

2. 

   Take NSAIDs as directed when symptoms appear. For the NSAID to work, you should not stop taking it. You should start taking NSAIDs when you first notice symptoms, and keep taking them as directed for 2-3 days or until they improve. However, be sure to follow the instructions printed on the packaging.
   • Consider keeping a menstrual diary to see when symptoms appear each month.
   • Remember not to take too many NSAIDs. Follow the directions on the package and from your doctor. NSAIDs have a few side effects, especially with long-term use, so don't overdo them every month.

3. 

   Take vitamin supplements to ease pain. While vitamins will not relieve menstrual cramps if you are experiencing severe pain, Vitamin D supplements will help prevent menstrual cramps in the first place. Other supplements that may help relieve pain include Omega-3 fatty acids, Magnesium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-1, and B-6.
   • You should consult with your doctor before taking a vitamin supplement to make sure you won't experience any harmful side effects. Always follow the directions on the package carefully when taking over-the-counter medicines and supplements.

4. 

   Talk to your doctor about using prescription medications. If your pain is quite severe, you should see your doctor to learn about prescription medications that can help you manage the pain. Your doctor can offer you quite a few options:
   • Hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab) are medicines commonly used for severe pain caused by menstrual cramps.
   • Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) will help with menstrual cramps caused by heavy menstrual bleeding. You should only take this medicine while you are in your menstrual cycle to minimize the amount of menstrual bleeding and cramps.
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Method 3 of 4: Use physical activity to relieve menstrual cramps

1. 

   Exercise lightly when you have menstrual cramps. Although you don't do vigorous, continuous exercise when you have severe menstrual cramps, gentle exercise will help ease symptoms by stimulating blood circulation and releasing endorphins.
   • Effective exercises for menstrual cramps are aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming.
   • Yoga poses that stretch the back, groin, chest, and stomach muscles will also stimulate blood circulation to the uterus and ease pain.
   • Remember to exercise light, and wear loose, comfortable clothes. Excessive exercise or wearing tight-fitting clothing can make symptoms worse.
   • Another benefit of exercise is weight loss and, in turn, minimizes the frequency of your menstrual cramps.

2. 

   Have an orgasm. Although it may sound unusual to have sex when you experience menstrual cramps, it is a great way to ease your symptoms. Orgasms help relieve stomach aches by stimulating color circulation, releasing endorphins, and eliminating pain. In addition, it also acts as a distraction that stops you from thinking about pain.

3. 

   Belly massage. Rubbing the affected area will help stimulate blood circulation to the uterus, helping to improve the feeling of menstrual cramps. You can massage your lower abdomen gently using your fingertips in a circular motion. You can also massage your abdomen for as long as you need, and as often as you want, to relieve symptoms.
   • Acupuncture and acupressure are just as effective as massage. Some women find that they help relieve pain. Acupuncture and acupressure will stimulate the central nervous system to heal injuries and relieve pain. If you follow this remedy, you need to consult your doctor first and conduct thorough research on it: you should only see a licensed professional, not someone who is amateurs.

4. 

   Take a hot bath. Heat will help increase blood circulation, reduce menstrual cramps. You should take a hot shower every time you feel the onset of severe pain.
   • If you are unable to take a hot bath, holding a hot water bottle or hot pack on your stomach for 20 minutes at a time will also have the same effect.
   • Remember not to use water that is too hot: you won't want to be burned. Adequate warmth is also more effective and safer than a hot temperature.
   • Heat is just as effective as an analgesic for relieving menstrual cramps, and has no side effects.
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Method 4 of 4: Make dietary changes to minimize menstrual cramps

1. 

   Stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and excessively salty foods for a few days before your period starts. Because menstrual cramps are often caused by constriction of blood vessels, don't consume anything that restricts your blood flow, like diuretics or sodium-rich foods. Not consuming caffeine, alcohol, and pre-menstrual snacks will help relieve pain. You should adjust your diet a few days before your period, and stay on it throughout your menstrual cycle.
   • You should also avoid smoking during your period if you don't want to experience a stomach ache for the same reason: you shouldn't induce more blood vessel constriction.

2. 

   Drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated will keep your blood vessels from constricting. This is especially important if you are engaged in something that helps relieve pain, like taking a hot bath or exercising.

3. 

   Drink chamomile tea. Chamomile tea will help reduce inflammation and, in turn, reduce menstrual pain symptoms. Chamomile tea will also help replace your desire to consume caffeinated beverages like coffee and black tea, and these are the ones you should avoid with menstrual cramps.

4. 

   Eat snacks often. Instead of eating three full meals a day, break into smaller, lighter meals.

5. 

   Consume foods rich in calcium. Calcium-rich foods may also help relieve symptoms. Foods high in calcium, including dark green leafy vegetables like kale or spinach, tofu, almonds, soybeans, sardines, and low-fat dairy foods, are all part of the diet. healthy drink. advertisement

Advice

• Consider combining many of the above methods together to combat menstrual cramps. For example, light exercise and taking NSAIDs will be more effective than taking a single remedy.
• You should make sure that menstrual cramps don't interfere with your daily life or study. Teenage girls are prone to menstrual cramps, and it is one of the main reasons why they miss school. And many adult women have to quit work because of severe menstrual cramps. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms you experience are disrupting your daily activities.
• You can keep a menstrual diary to keep track of any symptoms or pain during your period and how long it is. This will help prepare you before symptoms begin and make the necessary adjustments, like reducing the amount of caffeine you consume and adding more calcium. Your menstrual diary will let you know if you are going through any unusual or unexpected changes in your cycle that you need to discuss with your doctor.

Warning

• Talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements to make sure they're safe. Learn about any side effects of the common substances you take. Remember to take the medication as directed, and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
• See a doctor right away if pain lasts longer than your menstrual cycle, if you have unusual bleeding, nausea or vomiting, or are likely to be pregnant.