The same ailment plagues many women: menstrual pain every month. However, a few effective home remedies can relieve period pain. While some women hardly have any symptoms, others regularly suffer from severe pain during their menstrual period. Menstrual pain, also known medically as dysmenorrhea, is one of the most common gynaecological problems.
Do you also belong to the second category? Then you are probably familiar with cramps, nausea, as well as headaches and back pain, and heavy bleeding. For some women, the menstrual cramps are so bad that those affected cannot participate in ordinary everyday life for two to three days. But does it have to be like this? Where does menstrual pain come from, and what can you do about it? Here’s everything you need to know about menstrual bleeding, plus five simple home remedies to ease those monthly discomforts!
Who Is Mainly Affected By Menstrual Pain?
It is said that young, slim women, in particular, are particularly severely affected by so-called primary menstrual pain. Around 60 to 90 percent of girls going through puberty suffer from menstrual bleeding. In young women, the pain often occurs before the first pregnancy. Statistically, however, pain decreases with age.
How Does Menstrual Pain Come About?
As a rule (note the pun), severe pain during the period is triggered by excessive contractions of the uterus. To put it simply: the muscles contract so much that they cramp. This pain, known as primary menstrual pain, occurs for the first time with menstrual bleeding. This pain, while uncomfortable, is not a sign of other medical conditions in most otherwise healthy women.
Secondary period pains are often caused by gynaecological diseases like endometriosis or other organic disorders. This is why secondary menstrual pain usually only occurs later in life: women between the ages of 30 and 40 are particularly affected. If the pain occurs suddenly and unexpectedly severely, you should have your gynaecologist examine you.
What To Do About Period Pain?
We researched you and put together the best home remedies for menstrual pain to prevent or alleviate your suffering.
Soothing Warmth
Heat can be a real blessing for severe menstrual pain such as cramps and back pain. You can decide for yourself where the heat comes from:
- hot water bottle
- grain pillow
- heat patch
- Lavender scented bath…
You have plenty of choices. The heat will help relieve cramps so your muscles can relax. Warmth also has a relaxing effect.
Antispasmodic Teas And Scented Oils
This is like a balm for the soul and has an equally calming effect on the body:
- Teas with extracts of chamomile, ginger, monk’s pepper, or cinquefoil not only have an antispasmodic effect but can also help with irritability, mood swings, and inner restlessness.
- Essential oils such as lavender, marjoram, or juniper calm the senses and manage mood.
- Incidentally, the scent of mint or vanilla also helps some people with headaches.
- A gentle abdominal massage with marjoram or lavender oil can also have an antispasmodic effect.
Sport And Exercise
Especially if you suffer from severe pain, you can’t imagine anything more excellent than doing sports. You’re not supposed to run a marathon either, but gentle physical exercise will improve blood flow to your pelvis, which will relieve cramps.
Particularly suitable are:
- light running training
- relaxing yoga
- pilates
- targeted pelvic floor training
Some women can also reduce and prevent their menstrual pain through regular exercise.
Get Enough Sleep And Eat Healthily
Anyone who is stressed and finds it challenging to rest should do something about it quickly because lack of sleep and stress can even promote menstrual pain. Support your body with a good night’s sleep during menstruation. It can be incredibly healing.
A healthy and balanced diet can also prevent and alleviate menstrual pain. You should also pay attention to the influence of micronutrients such as magnesium, iron, and vitamin E.
Medication
If the above tips and tricks don’t give you any relief together, you can still use painkillers. Over-the-counter medications with the active ingredients paracetamol, ibuprofen, or acetylsalicylic acid are suitable for this.
As long as there is currently no desire to have children, the pill or a hormone spiral can also provide relief from period pains that occur regularly. Natural remedies such as chaste trees or yarrow are also recommended for menstrual pain.
Important Note:
The information in this article is for information only and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions, or complaints, you should contact your doctor.
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