‘Menstrual cramps, it will go away after marriage’, said my mom each time my sister or I suffered from period cramps. Not only my mom, every single female relative of ours gave us this same one liner. It was like a slogan that people used in tandem with period cramps.
Well, I don’t blame them because I am sure my mom and all my Gen X relatives received the same piece of advice from their parents and grandparents. Plus it was and is still a taboo back in India to openly and socially talk about periods.
Whenever I had my period and/or cramps, my mom would hand me a hot water bag and that was it. By God’s grace I never suffered major cramps unlike my younger sister and a few close friends. They who would be miserable with the pain. A couple of them would even be bed ridden and suffer atrocious pain the first two days.
Coming back to the marriage and cramps correlation, so there is no theory that has actually been backed by science. A simple explanation: sex releases endorphins in the body that can momentarily help reduce the pain but it’s not the most effective solution.
I’m glad gone are the days when writing these cramp off as something that would go away after marriage was considered normal. These days there are so many non-invasive ways to deal with the cramps. Unless it is a serious case like ovarian cyst or sort, the pain related to period has become so manageable.
OTC ( over the counter medication )
NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen can help manage pain. These are safe but should be taken only in the recommended dosage.
Heat
The old-time home remedy that we all use- heat. Applying heat to the abdomen and lower back can help alleviate some cramp pain. Just be careful as prolonged and too high heat can cause burns and chafing. Use intermittently.
Topical creamS
Believe it or not I had my doubts about it’s efficacy. But when I tried this Control menstrual cramp relief cream myself- I was super impressed! CONTROL is a topical cream that was specifically formulated to quickly relieve the pains related to menstrual cramping. Control goes on easily, absorbs quickly into the skin and goes directly to the pain area to provide long lasting relief. Women of all ages can now get pain relief in just minutes without the side effects or dangers associated with taking oral drugs. I am so glad I found it, I shall be stocking up on it for when my daughter starts her menstruation.
ESSENTAIL OILS
Massaging with some essential oils can give relief from period pain. Oils like lavender, marjoram, sage, grapeseed, and sweet almond are considered helpful in managing the pain.
Herbal treatment
Anti-inflammatory herbs like chamomile, fennel, cinnamon, ginger, dill are some of the herbs that can alleviate period pain. Add them in your tea or make a concoction, I’ve tried herbal treatment and it’s effective but not one hundred percent. Good thing it is all natural, so there is nothing to loose unless you have any allergies to the aforementioned herbs.
EXercise and yoga
The idea of exercise immediately before or during your period may not appeal to you. But exercising releases endorphins and is effective at reducing menstrual pain to the extent it may also eliminate or reduce the need for pain-relief medication. Moderate activity such as walking can be beneficial during your period in place of more strenuous activity.
Yoga is a gentle exercise that also releases endorphins and helps prevent or reduce menstrual symptoms. Three different yoga poses — Cobra, Cat, and Fish — significantly reduced intensity and duration of pain during menstruation. I’ve tried the yoga poses and its has always helped me handle post and pre menstrual stress well.
REIKI
Less heard of but Reiki can help get rid of period cramp pains for good. Reiki is an ancient Japanese art of energy healing. I’ve never tried it before but I’ve heard success stories of women with endometriosis and unbearable period cramps. Learn more abbey this healing process HERE.
Which ones from the above have you tried to manage period cramp pain?
Congratulations to Grace of Graceful rags, she is the featured blogger of the week.
Now it is your turn to share your favorite looks.
This topical cream looks pretty amazing! I suffer tremendously from cramps and always resort to the heating pad and yoga before anything else. But I generally still have to spend at least one day a month in bed in excruciating pain. The only saving grace for me is that the pain generally only lasts one or two days so I know I can survive it for the short term. Thank you for discussing a topic that many find uncomfortable. Female hormones can cause a lot of issues with our bodies and minds and it is super important to be able to discuss the matters freely and without shame and embarrassment.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I have never heard that one-liner before! I used to suffer very badly from cramps… I remember one time I had to leave school early because I could hardly move! Usually I take Ibuprofen, which helps a bit, and I’m a big fan of the heating pad method (in fact, I usually get in a hot bath as an alternative to a pad and that helps a lot too). Thankfully I’m on medication now that gets rid of most of my cramps, which is so nice! I used to dread that time of month because I’d feel so bad. I’ve never heard of a topical cream for menstrual cramps before, so thank you for sharing.
Oh, and thank you so much for the feature! 🙂 Hope your day is off to a great start.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com