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Home remedies for menstrual cramps

Published On: September 9, 2009, 4:57 am

Home remedies for menstrual cramps By Megha Batra

The pains that occur in the abdominal and pelvic areas during menstrual period of a woman are referred to as menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea. Some woman may feel mild cramps while the other may feel extremely severe cramps. Mild menstrual cramps usually last for a few hours only and are hardly noticeable while severe menstrual cramps result in extreme throbbing pain in the lower abdominal area (and sometimes in the lower back also) that may interrupt the daily routine of a woman. In such cases, cramps usually last for one to two days.

 
Symptoms
 
The primary symptom is a sense of bloating or heaviness in the stomach area. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and loose stools.
 
Causes
 
A hormone known as prostaglandins is released during menstruation. It leads to contraction of uterus so as to help the uterus to shed its lining. It is considered as the chief cause of menstrual cramps. 
 
It is a fact that younger women experience more severe cramps than older women. Thus, intensity of cramps usually decreases with age, and often disappears after pregnancy. Other causes of menstrual cramps include stress, depression, anxiety, and smoking. Eliminating or controlling these causes helps to reduce the intensity of menstruation cramps.
 
Home remedies for menstrual cramps:
 
To control the pain and discomfort during menstruation, consider the following home remedies:
 
1. Heating Pads: A heating pad placed on your lower back or abdomen helps to reduce the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps. 
2. Chamomile: It is a common remedy for menstrual cramps. Take 2 teaspoons of dried Chamomile flowers and dip them in a cup of boiling water. Keep it for 5 minutes. You can add honey or sugar for taste. To prevent menstrual cramps, start drinking Chamomile tea a couple of days before your due date of period. Then drink a cup of Chamomile tea everyday during your period. It will give you quick relief from cramps.
3. Vitamins and Minerals: Diet rich in Vitamin B, calcium and magnesium helps to reduce pain, bloating and other common symptoms of menstrual cramps. Milk contains calcium. Beans, whole wheat, salmon, shrimp, nuts, and vegetables contain magnesium. Intake of these foods and fluid will cure the menstrual cramps.
4. Ginger Root Tea: Taking herbal ginger root tea gives a quick relief from menstrual cramps. It is prepared by dipping small slices of ginger root in simmering boiled water for 15 minutes.
5. Kitchen Towel: Soak a kitchen towel in water and squeeze out the excess liquid. Keep it in the microwave and heat it up for one minute. Place this warm towel on the abdomen to get an instant relief from menstrual cramps.
6. Mint: Add peppermint or wintergreen in your tea or suck a mint candy to lessen the intensity of pain. 
7. Parsley: Along with regulating a monthly period, parsley juice is an effective treatment for painful cramping. Blend and drink at least 75 milliliters of parsley, beet, carrot, and cucumber juices.
8. Basil: Basil contains caffeic acid, which is a pain-killing component. Thus, intake of basil gives relief to your menstrual cramping. It can be used either as a spice in cooking or in tea. 
 
Along with adopting any of the above home remedies, following changes in your lifestyle will also help to control your menstrual cramps:
 
(a) Regular Exercise: Do regular exercise, including walking for 20 minutes every day to reduce the intensity of menstrual pains. 
(b) Water: Drink a good amount of water during menstrual days as dehydration may also be a cause of your menstrual cramps. 
(c) Yoga: Performing yoga postures during menstruation treats your abdominal cramps together with relaxing your muscles 
(d) Mineral Bath: Bathe in herbal spa to relieve cramps. The bath includes one cup of sea salt and one cup of baking soda in warm water. Bathing in such warm water would relax your muscles, eventually reducing menstrual cramps. 
(e) Avoid Caffeine: The caffeine in the tea, coffee, cola drinks, and chocolate intensifies your menstrual cramping as it increases your nervous energy. Avoid intake of caffeine products.
 
 
It is important to know that menstrual cramps are common in women and by applying simple home remedies, the intensity of these cramps will get reduced to a great extent or eliminated altogether. Menstrual cramps can be cured or controlled by making some alterations in your diet; reducing and removing the toxic load from your body; increasing your intake of vitamins and minerals; using relaxation exercises; and using herbal remedies.
 
These alterations in your daily routine will not only cure your menstrual cramping but enhance your overall health.
 
Note: Avoid resorting to any of the above remedies in case you are allergic to them. Consult your doctor in such a case. 
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