Every month, more than half of the women who have periods have pain called dysmenorrhea for one to two days. Even though period pain can be caused by headaches or general discomfort, menstrual cramps are usually to blame.
When your uterus contracts to get rid of its lining, also called the uterine lining, you get cramps. This can hurt your stomach, lower back, groyne, or upper thighs. We’ve already talked about when it’s a good idea to go to the doctor for menstrual cramps. Here, we’ll talk about what might be causing your period pain and give you 13 home remedies to try.
What makes your period hurt?
There are many things that can cause period pain, and if you have painful periods often, it’s natural to wonder why. You might be the only woman in your family who gets really painful cramps. Maybe you didn’t start having painful periods until you were in your 20s. No matter what happens, a doctor can help you figure out why painful cramps happen every month. Some of the most common reasons why periods hurt include:
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) (premenstrual syndrome)
90% of women who have their periods have PMS. It is also called premenstrual syndrome. PMS begins a few days before your period and lasts for the first day or two of your period. Doctors think that PMS happens because oestrogen and progesterone levels drop before a woman’s period starts. PMS has many symptoms, such as tiredness, irritability, and cramps during your period.
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS) is a more severe form of PMS that affects about 5% of women who have periods. Doctors don’t know what causes PMDD, but it’s more likely to happen to women who have a lot of stress, depression, or a history of depression in their family. PMDD has symptoms that are similar to PMS, but they are worse, like cramps that hurt more.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are growths that can happen on the lining of the uterus. They are not harmful. They can be so small that you can’t see them with your eyes or so big that they change the shape of your uterus. Most women get them during their childbearing years, and after menopause, they often shrink or go away completely.
Doctors can’t say for sure who will get uterine fibroids, but there are some things that can make someone more likely to get them. Some of these are getting older, having African American ancestry, having fibroids in your family, and being overweight.
Since fibroids grow in the lining of the uterus, they can make periods heavy and cause painful cramps.
Ovarian cysts
A cyst is a sac of fluid that forms in or on your body. Most cysts are harmless. Usually, cysts form in the ovaries when an egg is released. Many women get at least one small cyst a month, which goes away on its own. But some women have many or big cysts on their ovaries, which can hurt or cause other problems. In these situations, the cysts might need to be treated by a doctor.
Polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause cysts to form on the ovaries (PCOS). This is a condition in which an imbalance of hormones makes the ovaries grow a lot of small, harmless cysts. This can make your periods hurt, make it hard to get pregnant, make you resistant to insulin, and cause other health problems. PCOS causes irregular periods, too much hair on the face and body, weight gain, trouble losing weight, acne, and hair loss. A doctor can give you medicine to help with the symptoms of PCOS.
PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) (pelvic inflammatory disease)
It is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) when the uterus and ovaries get sick (PID). Most of the time, the infection starts when bacteria from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) get to the reproductive organs. PID can also happen after having surgery. Even though many women with PID don’t have any symptoms, some people can get painful cramps.
Endometriosis
The endometrium, which is the name for the lining of the uterus, grows inside the uterus. But if you have endometriosis, your endometrium grows outside of your uterus. This usually happens in your ovaries or fallopian tubes. During your period, your body tries to get rid of uterine tissue, but the endometrium growing outside the uterus has nowhere to go. It can get stuck inside the body. This can lead to painful cramps, heavy bleeding, itching, and swelling. With the way medicine has come along, most cases of endometriosis can now be well treated with medicines and surgeries.
Adenomyosis
In a condition called adenomyosis, the endometrium grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. This can be treated. Endometriosis can affect the whole muscle of the uterus, but it usually only affects one spot. Adenomyosis is a condition that can be managed, but it can cause very painful cramps. Doctors aren’t sure what causes adenomyosis, but it’s more likely to happen to women who have had children or uterine surgery.
things that might help with cramps during your period
Having to deal with menstrual cramps every month can be both painful and frustrating. The good news is that there are many things you can try to ease your period cramps. Remember that these techniques don’t always work, especially for long-term problems, but they can help with mild to moderate period pain.
1. Drink more water to avoid feeling bloated during the period
Bloating can be uncomfortable and make cramps during your period worse. Even though it seems counterintuitive, drinking water can help you feel less bloated and less pain during your period. Also, drinking hot water can make your blood flow faster and your muscles relax. This can make contractions of the uterus less painful.
2. To relieve pain and inflammation, drink herbal teas to stop period cramps
Some kinds of herbal tea have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that can help stop uterine muscle spasms that cause cramping. A simple, natural way to ease menstrual cramps is to drink chamomile, fennel, or ginger tea. Also, these herbal teas can help relieve stress and help you sleep if you are having trouble.
3. Consume anti-inflammatory foods to alleviate menstrual cramps.
Some foods can help with cramps naturally, and they taste great, too. Foods that help reduce inflammation can help your blood flow and relax your uterus. Try eating berries, tomatoes, pineapples, and spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic. Inflammation can also be reduced by eating leafy green vegetables, almonds, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon.
4. Don’t eat treats if you want to stay flat during the period
Even though a brownie or french fries might sound good, they can cause bloating and inflammation, which makes muscle pain and cramps worse. If you want something sweet, eat a banana or another piece of fruit. If you want something salty, eat unsalted nuts.
5. If you have period cramps, drink decaf coffee.
When you drink coffee, your blood vessels get smaller. This can squeeze your uterus, making your cramps worse. If you need coffee during your period, switch to decaf. If you depend on caffeine to get you through the afternoon, try eating a high-protein snack or going for a 10-minute walk instead.
6. Try dietary supplements to ease the symptoms of your period.
Vitamin D can help your body absorb calcium and reduce swelling. Other supplements, like omega-3, vitamin E, and magnesium, can help reduce inflammation and might even make your periods less painful. For the best results, take supplements every day, not just when you have your period. Also, ask your doctor before starting anything new because some supplements can interact with medications.
7. Apply heat to stop period cramps.
A little heat can help your muscles relax, increase blood flow, and relieve tension. Try sitting with a heating pad, taking a hot shower, or soaking in a hot bath.
8. Work out to relax your muscles and get endorphins.
If you’re in pain, the last thing you might want to do is work out. But even light exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel good, reduce pain, and relax your muscles. You might only need 15 minutes of yoga, light stretching, or walking to feel the benefits of exercise on your body and mind. And if you already work out regularly, did you know that keeping track of your period can help you get better at sports?
9. Reduce your stress to improve your period’s mental and physical symptoms.
Cramps can be made worse by stress. You can get rid of stress by meditating, taking deep breaths, doing yoga, or in your own favourite way. Try guided imagery if you don’t know how to deal with stress. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think of a place that makes you feel calm and safe. Focus on this space for at least a few minutes while you take slow, deep breaths.
10. Get a massage to relieve stress and muscle pain during period
In one study, women with endometriosis who got massages had much less pain during their periods. By making the uterus more relaxed, massages may help stop uterine spasms. Massage therapy should focus on the abdomen to help with period cramps as much as possible. But a full-body massage that makes you feel less stressed overall may also help ease menstrual cramps.
11. To get rid of period cramps, use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
Pain and muscle cramps can be caused by the hormone prostaglandin. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can give you fast relief by lowering the number of prostaglandins in your body. For the best results, only take over-the-counter medicines when you feel cramps coming on. Over-the-counter medicines may not always cure menstrual cramps, but they can often help a lot. For the best results, only take over-the-counter medicines when you feel cramps coming on.
12. If you have PMS, try alternative medicine during the period
Alternative forms of medicine like acupuncture and acupressure can help some people feel better. Acupuncture is a way to make the body work better by sticking needles into the skin. By putting pressure on certain points of the body, acupressure stimulates the body without using needles. These things can help you relax, loosen up your muscles, and get more blood to all parts of your body.
13. Begin using hormones for birth control.
If cramps are caused by an imbalance in hormones, birth control can stop them. Balanced levels of oestrogen and progesterone help thin the lining of the uterus, making it easier for it to shed. Hormonal birth control also controls how long your period is and how often it comes. Some forms of birth control can completely stop your period and get rid of your cramps. Talk to your OB-GYN about your options for birth control, such as the pill, the birth control shot, or a hormonal IUD. Then you can choose the birth control method that works best for you.
