Period Pain or Menstrual cramps are very common in women of reproductive age; however, they can affect women of any age and men. Learn more about period pain causes, treatments, and when to see your doctor here.
There are many possible causes of cramps during menstruation, but one that people do not always associate with is endometriosis. Read this article to find out what it is, the symptoms, and how to treat it here. If you are suffering from severe cramps while menstruating then this may be your answer!
What is period pain?
Dysmenorrhea, a scientific term for periods, happens when uterus contractions push on nearby blood vessels and decrease oxygen supply to nearby tissues. It usually produces lower abdominal or hip pain, but women typically find this dissipates after a few hours. At the same time, other women have more severe symptoms, which can last for days or weeks.
For period pain
Period pain is a common occurrence during menstruation. While uncomfortable, it’s not necessarily an emergency or something that needs to be treated by a doctor. You can do some simple things at home to treat menstrual cramps before they worsen. These methods include using heat packs and applying pressure to specific body areas.
What are the causes of menstrual cramps?
The primary cause of menstrual cramps is uterine contractions. Uterine contractions cause by prostaglandins – chemicals that help relax and contract muscles. The production of prostaglandins depends on how much Oxytocin a woman has in her body, which itself is dependent on various factors, including stress and diet.
Period Pain Symptoms
It is easy to brush aside pain as just another symptom of a woman’s menstrual cycle. It can feel like a stomachache or even joint and muscle pain for some. Nevertheless, studies show that period pain is not a figment of our imagination over 80% of women report experiencing intense menstrual cramps during their periods. While most menstruating women in their reproductive years will experience period pains at some point in their lives, it is possible to manage and alleviate period pain with medication or other treatments.
Treatment Of Period Pain
There are various types of pain medication that can be used to help with the pain associated with menstruation. Doctors typically recommend using anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. It is available as a tablet and liquid, Paracetamol is also used to relieve menstrual cramps, but it’s not as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Prescription medications such as codeine and dihydrocodeine are also prescribed for severe menstrual pain, but if taken too often they can become addictive.
How to treat painful periods with natural remedies
While over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may relieve some of your symptoms, natural remedies may be a gentler way to reduce period pain. Herbs like ginger, peppermint, and lavender have been shown to reduce nausea and cramping, while chamomile is a powerful relaxant that helps relieve muscle tension. These are just some of my favorite menstrual cramp remedies.
Click Here to Read the Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
Methods at home, including types of natural at-home treatments, can help alleviate menstrual cramps:
- Using a heating pad on your pelvic area or back
- Massaging your abdomen
- Taking a warm bath
- Doing regular physical exercise
- Eating light, nutritious meals
- Practicing relaxation techniques or yoga
Use anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen a few days before your period is due, taking vitamins and supplements like:
- Take Vitamin B-6
- Vitamin B-1
- Vitamin E
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Raising your legs or lying with your knees bent
- To avoid bloating, limit your intake of salt, alcohol, coffee, and sweets.
How can I relieve period pain fast?
It is possible to use over-the-counter medication to help reduce cramping and pain, but things that are more general can provide relief, such as heat and water bottles. You might try quick remedies like applying ice to your abdomen or lying down with your feet up to manage your period pain. Long-term solutions to address pain might involve taking care of your body before, during, and after your period. If you are concerned about menstruation-related pain, consult your gynecologist as soon as possible! If these symptoms are a long-term issue or if they interfere with your daily life, talk to your doctor.
How to period pain relief
Period pain causes by heavy cramping or fluid build-up in your uterus during menstruation. Luckily, there are plenty of period pain relief options for dealing with these symptoms. From painkillers to diet changes and pelvic massages, here is how to cure menstrual cramps naturally. The proper birth control can reduce period pain by keeping your hormone levels stable throughout each month, while an IUD may help relieve period pains immediately after being inserted. It can also take some time to find what works best for you. If one treatment does not seem to be working, try another one! Keep trying until you find something that works well enough that you feel comfortable taking it regularly.
Period pain reliever
Pain relievers commonly used by women with menstrual cramps include Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and mefenamic acid (Ponstel). Before deciding on a pain reliever, you should consult your doctor. Let them know how severe your period cramps are, and they can then advise you on what to take. Some medications are not suitable for those who suffer from gastric problems or ulcers.
Period Pain Tablets
Some women find that taking painkillers like ibuprofen during their period can ease cramping. Ibuprofen works by blocking prostaglandins responsible for causing inflammation in your body. It can be very effective at reducing menstrual cramps, but it is essential to remember that ibuprofen can also have side effects and should not be used in large doses over a long period. Taking ibuprofen regularly over a long period could cause damage to your stomach lining. Hence, if you decide to take them for your period pain, make sure you don’t exceed the recommended dose. It is best to speak with your doctor before starting any new medication or treatment regime.
How to prevent menstrual cramps in the future
Like stress causes migraines in some people, hormonal changes cause cramping and pain during menstruation. Stress releases tension through tightening muscles; hormonal changes of a menstrual cycle do much of the same thing. While these contractions may not be visible like those during childbirth or bowel movements, they can still tighten muscles in your abdomen, leading to an uncomfortable pain in that area and back pains. While there are ways to treat menstrual cramps and make them less painful, it is best to prevent them in the first place.
Period pain in back
Check with your doctor to find out what is causing these period pains in the back. At the same time, it’s normal to have some lower abdominal cramping while on your period; severe pain that radiates to your back or thighs could indicate a more serious issue. (In rare cases, a slipped disc can cause menstrual-related back pain.) It can also be because of endometriosis (the most common cause of infertility), fibroids, ovarian cysts, and even an ectopic pregnancy.
How To Stop Period Pain Immediately
The most effective way to stop period pain immediately is to take 400mg ibuprofen (Advil) or 100mg naproxen (Aleve) every six hours for two doses. Both are safe to take every day. Remember that more than 600 mg of ibuprofen can cause stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting. For light-to-moderate menstrual cramps, one dose of 600 mg ibuprofen.
Final notes
If you’re planning on taking pain-relief medication whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil or Motrin or hormonal birth control pills to reduce your pain consult with your doctor first. Some NSAIDs can have dangerous side effects when combined with hormonal birth control, and many common over-the-counter medications such as naproxen are not recommended.
