Menstruation in 70% of women is a painful experience. It causes discomfort, can prevent you from concentrating on important tasks, and sometimes even forces you to spend hours in bed.
Pain is caused by contractions of the uterus, which releases the inner mucous membrane (endometrium). The pain can be pulling, constant, or spastic. For mild to temporary cramps, some home remedies can help provide relief.
Here are 3 tips!
- Hydration
Hydration is important for your health, but it may also help you experience less period pain. In one study with 140 women, half increased their water intake while the other half didn’t. The women who drank more water used fewer painkillers and reported fewer cramps than the group that didn’t increase their water intake.
2. Avoiding Caffeine
During menstruation, you should be more careful with coffee and, if possible, reduce its consumption. Caffeine can contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels, which will provoke stronger contractions of the uterus. Also, caffeine causes inflammation and bloating that can also add to your discomfort.
Not only do coffee and energy drinks contain caffeine! It can also be found in green teas, black teas, and soda! So it is better to switch to herbal teas, chicory coffee, or just plain water.
3. Herbal Remedies
Remember how we mentioned that drinking coffee and certain types of teas increased pain during menstruation? Well, some herbal teas can actually decrease the pain! Herbs in them can either have a soothing effect on the muscles, increase circulation or even be a natural painkiller! Here are the best combinations!
Yarrow Tea – Yarrow is very effective in relieving menstrual pain. The plant will help soothe the pain due to the immediate effect on the production of estrogen and progesterone. Yarrow is very soothing during menstruation and menopause when a hormone change occurs.
Chamomile tea – Chamomile is a plant known for its soothing properties. Chamomile helps reduce cramps and discomfort after digestion, so chamomile infusion is an ideal herbal tea for pain relief.
Lemon balm tea – Lemon balm is a recommended plant for consumption during the cycle. It has been well known for its action against painful menstruation since antiquity. In addition, herbal teas are said to help fight anxiety and nervousness that may occur during menstruation.
There are many ways to soothe or avoid cramps and menstrual pains. It is important to note that some women experience excruciating pains, which can be caused by a lot of different factors (ovarian cysts, for example); therefore, it is important to check in with your primary doctor if the cramps get extremely bad.
Citations
Torkan, Behnaz, et al. “The Role of Water Intake in the Severity of Pain and Menstrual Distress among Females Suffering from Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Semi-Experimental Study – BMC Women’s Health.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 28 Jan. 2021, https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-021-01184-w.
Targonskaya, Dr. Anna. “Does Caffeine Help Cramps? Things to Know about Coffee on Period and during PMS.” Flo.health – #1 Mobile Product for Women’s Health, 7 Dec. 2021, https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/period/coffee-on-period-and-during-pms#:~:text=If%20you’ re%20wondering%2C%20%E2%80%9C,coffee%20can%20make%20cramps%20worse.
“5 Herbal Teas That Help with the Menstrual Pain.” 5 https://womanadvice.ru/5-poleznyh-travyanyh-chaev-kotorye-uspokoyat-bol-vo-vremya-menstruacii.
