A turbulent pre-period week full of mood swings, bloating, discomfort and dampness in the intimate area, rashes, nausea–that’s shark week for most of us. But you know the worst period nightmare of them all? No points for guessing, it’s having to deal with period pain. From abdominal cramps to backache and headache, Aunt Flo’s visit can be quite a painful affair. While popping painkillers can give you temporary relief, they come with serious health implications in the long run. According to a 2012 study, regular consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to health issues like acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and kidney failure. They can even increase the risk of a heart attack/stroke by 100%. Enter: good-old home remedies for period pain. Not only are these gharelu nuskhas side-effect free, they’re super-effective too. Read on
Period Pain: Sign & Symptoms
Before we talk about home remedies for period pain, let’s look at some of its signs and symptoms. How do you differentiate between stomachache and period cramps? How do you know whether your backache or headache is stress-induced or happening because of your period? Well, the answer is fairly simple: Aunt Flo is to be blamed for pain in your legs, head, abdomen, breasts or back if it occurs during or a week before your period. It’s mostly a part of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that starts seven-ten days before your period and goes on till the second or the third day of shark week. PMS is a result of the hormonal changes that happen in the body in order to shed the uterine lining of the uterus. Here are a few symptoms of period pain that’ll help you differentiate it from any other form of pain:
-Period pain is usually accompanied by other PMS symptoms like nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and acne.
-The pain occurs during your period or starts a week or ten days prior.
-You may feel bloated and experience breast tenderness along with the pain.
-Cramps in the lower abdomen closer to your due date are usually a period side-effect.
-You may also experience a dip in your libido along with the pain.
-The abdominal pain is not constant. You experience a cramp every time your uterus contracts.
Period Pain: Why Are Your Periods Painful?
Bearable menstrual cramps that don’t disrupt your daily routine are normal and occur due to the muscles of the uterus contracting to shed the uterine lining (meant to support a possible pregnancy). When the uterus contracts, it can press against blood vessels and squeeze them, briefly cutting off the oxygen supply. This is the primary cause for period pain and cramps. Additionally, your body also secretes pain-triggering chemicals to help the uterus to contract. This can add to your woes and cause pain as well. Apart from this, some underlying health conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease can also lead to period pain. In this case though, the pain may be too extreme and be accompanied by other symptoms like heavy bleeding, scanty period or irregular periods. In this case, you must visit your gynae and get a thorough diagnosis done,
Home Remedies For Period Pain
If your period pain isn’t caused by an underlying health condition, it can be managed without popping painkillers too. Here are ten effective home remedies for period pain to the rescue:
Heat Therapy
According to a 2018 study, applying heat to your lower abdomen and back is as effective as treating menstrual pain as NSAIDS. So instead of popping a painkiller, use a hot water bottle or a heat patch on the area in pain for some side-effect free relief from period pain.
Massage
Massaging your abdomen and back with essential oils is like shooting two birds with one stone. It combines the calming effect of aromatherapy with the anti-inflammatory effect of massage therapy. This can help lower down your stress levels and provide relief from menstrual pain. Get your hands on a bottle of lavender, peppermint, or fennel seed oil for best results.
Have Some Fun
This might just become your favourite home remedy for period pain. It involves having an orgasm with or without your partner. According to a 2019 study, a vaginal orgasm can trigger your brain to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins and oxytocin. While endorphins can decrease pain perception, oxytocin (happy hormones) can boost your mood and help you feel better instantly.
Avoid Certain Foods
The best home remedy for period pain is to avoid certain foods like alcoholic, carbonated and caffeinated beverages; smoking, and foods high in salt and fat content. These can aggravate period pain and avoiding them can decrease tension in your muscles and relieve your pain.
Sip On Herbed Teas
Sipping on ginger, chamomile, and cinnamon teas can help alleviate period cramps. That’s because these herbs have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect and can thus provide relief from menstrual pain.
Exercise
According to a 2018 study, low-to-medium intensity aerobic exercise may help reduce menstrual pain by boosting blood circulation and releasing feel-good hormones–oxytocin and endorphins. So squeeze in a 30-minute walk in the park or a 20-minute stretching session into your schedule and you’ll feel better for sure.
Take A Hot Bath
A hot shower or a 15-minute dip in a hot tub can help relax your pelvic and abdominal muscles and thus, give you some much-needed relief from period pain. You can boost the pain-relieving power of your hot bath by adding epsom salt or a few drops of lavender oil to the bath.
Consume A Balanced Diet
Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle can help reduce period pain drastically. While exercising regularly is the key, you must support it with a balanced diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole foods, dairy products, and pulses. P.S. ditch the oily, preserved, and junk food for fresh, home-cooked meals.
Have Some Dark Chocolate
Eating between 40–120 grams of dark chocolate daily during your period can help reduce pain. This is because dark chocolate is rich in magnesium, which helps relax muscles and ease aches. A perfectly yummy home remedy for period pain, don’t you think?
Take Health Supplements
Nutritional deficiencies such as that of vitamin D, B12, and magnesium can aggravate period pain. So take regular blood tests and consume health supplements recommended by your doc to cover them and experience a major difference in the intensity of period pain over time.
Sirona Recommends: Best products For Period Pain
Sirona Feminine Pain Relief Patch
You can ditch your painkillers and count on Sirona’s Feminine Pain Relief Patch to reduce period and pre-period cramps. Sticking this sleek patch can provide instant relief from pain without causing any side-effects. That’s because it is made with natural pain-relieving ingredients like menthol and eucalyptus oil. It is easy to carry and stays effective for 8-10 hours.
Sirona Pain Relief Heat Patch
Made with 100% natural ingredients, The Pain Relief Heat Patch By Sirona is the perfect, side-effect free alternative to dealing with period cramps. Sticking this patch on your abdomen can work like a soothing balm. These portable wonders can provide heat relief for up to eight hours straight and can be disposed of easily after each use. No hot-water-bottle hassles involved!
Sirona Herbal Headache Relief Patch
Period stress and hormonal changes can manifest as a full-fledged headache. But instead of popping painkillers, you can count on Sirona’s Herbal Headache Relief Patch for instant relief. Packed with the goodness of menthol, camphor, and clove oil, they’re a much-needed break from messy balms with a burning sensation.
Sirona Feminine Cramp Relief Roll On
The Sirona Cramp Relief Roll On can be used on your lower back, abdomen, and legs. Packed with all-natural ingredients like lavender oil, clove oil, cinnamon, and eucalyptus, it helps relieve period pain–even on the go. It’s calming aroma helps relax your muscles and the smooth roll-on application makes it super handy and convenient to use. No side-effects, no pain! Cool, right?
We hope that these home remedies for period pain help take the edge off a painful shark week and make your period easier. Cheers to a happy period! Hip hip hurray!
Featured Image: Pexels
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