Period pain is treatable and can be stopped permanently. Getting treatment for period pain relief or home care options can stop period pain forever. Period pain can occur before or during a female’s menstrual cycle. It’s a sensitive case and the intensity of the pain can reach mild discomfort to severe cramps. And this may cause underlying health conditions. So it’s necessary to find a permanent solution that works and helps period pain.
In this article, we will be discussing about period pain and why it comes. We will also discuss the natural ways that can stop period pain permanently.
What is a period pains?
Period pains or period cramps are known as dysmenorrhea — a painful condition that occurs during menstruation cycle. It happens when the womb tightens during period. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen.
Period pain feels like dull, continuous aches, heaviness, cramping, or gripping pain. It feels to men like someone is holding and squeezing your organs from the inside. And research shows that period pain can be as painful as a heart attack.
Pain starts 1 – 3 days before the period and peaks 24 hours after it starts. This pain lasts 2 – 3 days and then begins to decrease.
Are period cramps normal?
Period pains are natural and if it’s in mild to moderate menstrual cramping then it’s absolutely normal. But some women have severe pain during periods – it’s abnormal. It will interfere with their day-to-day life and cause underlying medical conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and pelvic infections.
Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different. Over 80% of women experience pain and cramps during their menstrual cycles, but the pain severities aren’t the same for everyone. It varies from person to person based on their health condition and immune system.
9 symptoms that indicate abnormal period cramps:
- Irregular cycles
- Pelvic pain
- Extended period
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Severe cramps
- Painful bowel movements
- Urinary issues
- Pain during sex
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Causes of severe period pain
Higher levels of prostaglandins are the primary cause of extreme period pain. Besides this, there are a variety of reasons that cause severe period cramps:
- Prostaglandins: A hormone-like substances are produced in the uterus and help trigger contractions. Higher levels can lead to more intense cramps.
- Uterine contractions: During menstruation, the uterus contracts to help shed its lining. Stronger contractions can cause more pain.
- Endometriosis: This condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. During menstruation, it can cause severe period cramps.
- Fibroids: Noncancerous growths in the uterus can also contribute to cramping and discomfort.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs can cause inflammation and extreme pain.
- Cervical stenosis: A narrowed cervix can impede menstrual flow, causing increased pressure and cramping.
Natural ways to stop period pain
Drinking plenty of water, eating anti-inflammatory foods, doing gentle exercise or yoga, and massaging the abdomen with essential oils can stop period pain naturally. Let’s know furthermore natural ways that can stop period pain forever;
Stay hydrated
2 or 3 days before your period you might see your belly and other parts of your body swollen. It’s called bloating and this is primarily due to water retention. Bloating can cause discomfort and worsen period cramps.
Drinking water can help with severe period cramps. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is key to staying hydrated and preventing bloating. This can ease discomfort and reduce period pain.
Recommended daily water intake is 2.7 liters (11.5 8-oz glass) water on the days before and during period. Try to carry a water bottle around with you and drink water several times throughout the day.
Also, recommended to drink hot water during period, which helps increase blood circulation throughout the body. This can relax muscles and lessen period cramps.
Gentle exercise
Exercising, gentle stressing, or walking can be beneficial for period pain. Exercise helps release endorphins —natural painkillers that reduce pain and relax muscles.
A study found that women who exercised for one hour, twice weekly for 12 weeks had less menstrual pain than those who did not.
Try avoiding strenuous exercises, this might worsen your period cramps and can lead to underlying health issues.
Yoga poses
Doing yoga during menstrual period is completely okay. It helps relax your mind and body, which can make you feel your period pain less intensely.
Yoga poses like Cobra, Cat, Cow, and Fish are best for period pains. These poses are recommended for heavy menstrual bleeding and extreme period cramping.
A study found that doing yoga one hour, 2 days per week for 12 weeks can decrease the severity of period cramps and symptoms.
Green tea
Green tea delivers healthy antioxidants with many anti-inflammatory properties, and it contains a chemical compound called L-theanine that helps make you feel relaxed.
A study found that drinking green tea is directly associated with decreased menstrual pain and women who drink green tea regularly reported lower levels of period pain than those who did not.
Decaf coffee
Caffeine causes blood vessels to narrow and it contributes to more cramping pain. If you don’t want to give up on your coffee during your period then switch to drinking decaf coffee. Decaf coffee contains anti-inflammatory components that help reduce menstrual cramping.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Eating anti-inflammatory foods decreases inflammation in the body and they promote blood circulation. This helps relax your uterus during menstruation cycle and lessen period cramps.
Try including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, walnuts or fatty fish, whole grains, and legumes in your daily meals. Research has found that vegetables and plant-based foods are effective in reducing period pains.
Heat therapy
A simple way to manage period pain is heat therapy. Using a heating pad or hot water bottle on abdomen can promote blood flow and relieve tension. This helps relax both abdominal and uterine muscles and ease discomfort during menstrual cramps.
You can take a warm bath or shower which can help period cramps in the same way as heating pads.
Cold therapy is also effective in easing period pain. Cold therapy also known as cryotherapy uses extreme ice to reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing in tissues. Try to use an ice pack on the abdomen or lower back to reduce cramps naturally.
Abdominal massage
Massaging the abdomen or lower back can help relax the pelvic muscles. This increases blood flow throughout the area and alleviates cramping.
Rubbing the belly is one of the most effective ways of reducing the intensity of period cramps. Rubbing with gentle pressure is important, as too much pressure can worsen your cramping.
Consider using essential oils like lavender, rose, ginger, and peppermint while doing abdominal massages or belly rubs. These oils are more effective in easing period pains than other citrus oils.
Dietary supplements
Studies show that supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and magnesium are beneficial in reducing menstrual cramps. These supplements may help prevent inflammation that makes periods less painful. Some supplements can interact with medications, so consult your doctor before taking any of them.
Reach orgasm during sex
According to a study of sex on period, reaching orgasm during period sex can help menstrual cramps. Like exercise, having orgasms during period also releases endorphins (natural pain relievers) that lessen period pain.
How to stop period pain immediately medicine?
To stop period pain immediately, over-the-counter (OTC) relievers are among the best approaches. Some OTC medications help prevent bloating and fatigue during period, and some can directly block pain receptors to alleviate menstrual cramps.
It is recommended to take OTC medications 1 to 2 days before your period starts and continue until it ends. Some OTC medications can cause side effects, which may affect underlying health conditions. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking any OTC medications.
There are the top 5 safest medications that can stop period cramps immediately:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Pamprin
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Midol
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Clinical treatments that can stop period pain forever
Medication reactions can vary from person to person, so some women may not find relief from cramping. Doctors often recommend clinical treatments that can help stop period pain permanently:
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Implantable rod
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists
- Contraceptive injection
- Surgery for endometriosis
- Uterine fibroid embolization
- Endometrial ablation
- Hysterectomy
- Destruction of fibroids
- Hormone suppressants
When to contact doctor for period pain?
You should contact your doctor if you are experiencing irregular periods, if your period becomes heavier than usual, or if you are experiencing severe period pain. These signs may indicate a problem with your menstrual health, and one of them could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Conclusion
Period pains are a natural and common symptom of menstruation, experienced by women nearly once a month. If you would like to alleviate your period pain permanently, those natural remedies are recommended. If these methods do not work and the intensity of your pain continues to increase, then you should contact your doctor.
FAQs
why is my back pain so bad on my period?
Menstrual back pain can be caused by hormonal changes that lead to inflammation and increased muscle tension in the lower back.
Why is my period pain unbearable?
Unbearable period pain (dysmenorrhea) can result from strong uterine contractions, hormonal imbalances, or underlying conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Is it okay to go to the spa on your period?
Yes, going to the spa on period is absolutely okay. In fact, its gentle pressure on different parts of body increases blood circulation which is beneficial for period cramps.
Which massage is best during periods?
It is recommended to receive an aroma massage or anti-stress massage with essential oils during period. Focusing especially on the abdomen, lower back, and buttocks can help reduce period pain immediately.
Can I kiss my wife during her periods?
Yes, you can kiss your wife during periods. In fact, being intimate through kissing, touching, or embracing can release endorphins in her body which can make your wife feel better on period cramps.
How much weight can period bloating add?
Period bloating can add 2 – 6 pounds of weight in the days leading up to and during your period. Gaining this weight is normal and usually goes away after a few days of your period.