How can I reduce the pain from menstrual cramps?
Always contact your doctor if you are unsure if the pain is caused by another condition. The following is “not medical advice” but assuming that you are having normal menstrual cramps these 7 tips may help you. Another name for menstrual cramps is dysmenorrhea. ———————– 7 Tips To Reduce Menstrual Cramps By Van Whitsett 1. Try to eat smaller, more frequent meals. A lot of food causes blood sugar to rise and fluctuate. Instead of eating three large meals, eat five or six small meals a day, each about two and a half hours apart. 2. Exercise. Exercise can help alleviate menstrual cramps by raising the level of beta-endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain associated with pain relief. Studies have shown that beta endorphins have a positive effect on mood and behavior. 3. Try an over the counter Ibuprofen. Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin IB all contain Ibuprofen, which is one of the best pain relievers around. 200 milligrams every four to six hours is the recommended dosage, or
Only three things ever reduced my intense pain: A.) ibuprofen, or B.) Darvon or some other prescription pain reliever, or C.) Alcohol – about half a beer. The beer was an inconvenient remedy – I’d feel so happy and relaxed from the sudden pain relief that I usually went to sleep. Imagine the times and places that a short nap might be inappropriate, and you’ll understand why alcohol is not the ideal solution. Of course, none of the three should be taken together, or combined with other pain relievers. Ibuprofen was by far the best choice, for me anyway. Common brands are Motrin IB, Advil and Nuprin. I found generic brands effective, but that’s just my experience. If you’ve never tried ibuprofen, read the label, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most people tolerate it well, but because it’s hard on the stomach, take it with food or milk. The pros: no prescription needed; it’s relatively inexpensive; easy to find; not addictive; and, most important, it stops the pain. When I ma
Depending on your circumstances, this may or may not be helpful but in my experience the single best thing for reducing menstrual cramps (and inded all symptoms of PMS) is to go on the contraceptive pill- I went from a state of monthly agony to hardly noticing I was on at all. Consult your doctor about the best type to use. If this isn’t appropriate/ doesn’t work for you, you could also look at your diet according to holistic nutritionist Dr Gillian McKeith (http://www.drgillianmckeith.com/, although the link doesn’t seem to be working today, that’s where it should be!) a diet high in salt and refined foods, and deficient in magnesium (found in nuts, seeds and dark green leafy veg such as kale and spinach) can increase the troubles associated with menstruation. Getting plenty of iron (red meat, pulses, green veg and (wonderfully) good quality dark chocolate) can also help. When the cramps do hit try a hot bath with some lavender oil before bed- it really helps.
Mild, OTC pain relievers, also known as analgesics, are usually effective for short-term relief of cramps. If you’re at home when experiencing discomfort, it also helps to apply a heating pad. If your cramps are really a problem every month, you might ask your doctor for a prescription that’s stronger than what you can buy at the drug store, but I am usually wary of the side effects of prescription meds. Another thing you might consider, that was very helpful for me, is birth control pills, which not only prevent pregnancy, but render your periods very light and usually painless. Of course, this is not recommended for everyone, especially women who suffer from other gynecological disorders, or have a history of cancer, blood clots or stroke. Also, women who take the pill should not smoke. Check with your doctor to see what kind of prescription, if any, would be best for your individual circumstances. Good luck!
