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2006-08-07 10:57:50 · 28 answers · asked by worst n 1 in Health Women's Health

28 answers

Avoid it to begin with, unless you have serious menstrual problems (in which case you should be talking to a doctor to get tests – note, most doctors will try to prescribe hormonal birth control, this does not cure the problem at all) there is no reason to suffer menstrual cramps, they can be avoided if you learn how – look for web sites and books that deal specifically with prevention, menstrual health and related topics.

Some tips on prevention and on how to ease menstrual cramps;

-Don't use painkillers, this numbs the pain it does not get rid of the problem, eventually your body will build up a resistance that will result in a dependency on painkillers.

-Change attitude towards menstruation, most women suffer menstruation because they believe they should, not only does that mean a negative attitude towards menstruation making it generally harder – periods are only as good or as bad as you make them – it also means many women cut themselves off from information on menstrual problems.

-Don't use tampons, tampons themselves are bad for vaginal health and commercial tampons are the most harmful out of over 20 different menstrual options. An unhealthy vagina will make menstruation more difficult, many commercial tampons are also made to expand length-ways thus into the cervix that is already sensitive during menstruation. A good alternative menstrual option would be menstrual cups.

-If you use pads don't use commercial pads, these also contribute to poor vaginal health because of materials and chemicals used, a good alternative menstrual option would be organic or cloth pads.

-Address health issues in your life, your menstrual cycle is not just something that happens within your reproductive organs, your hormones affect your whole body and in turn your body's natural cycles, this works the other way too. If you have had a stressful month then this will affect menstruation, if your general health is poor then your reproductive organs are also affected.

-Avoid salty foods and alcohol, these can increase bloating by retaining water that will add pressure to your lower regions, and so make you feel generally sluggish as well as making the cramping worse.

-Drink lots of water, this can aid in avoiding bloating. This will also help with headaches or migraines brought on by menstruation. Also adding lemon juice, a natural diuretic can decrease bloating.

-Eat your greens, and a healthy diet can make you feel a lot better at the best of times, but during menstruation it can be a good pick up and help avoid that sluggish feeling.

-Avoid foods like dairy and caffeine, generally these can cause problems for people, during menstruation this can be particularly true, many find these increase period pains.

-Avoid soy as soy products are notorious for affecting women's hormones.

-Reduce food intake before your period, this will help prevent bloating and so in turn help reduce cramps and general nasty feelings around your period.

-Take cell salts, balance the mineral in the body and help the body's utilization of the mineral from concentrations in the blood and minerals from food and supplements.

-Take more calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all of these are needed by your body to help the shedding of the lining of your uterus. Try taking instead of painkillers, or throughout your period, or even your whole menstrual cycle.

-Vitamin B complex, this helps to reduces muscle spasms, so in taking these the spasms your uterus goes through can be significantly decreased.

-Try taking herbal treatments on a daily basis such as evening primrose oil, this is commonly used to help regulate menstrual cycles that will have the knock on effect of reducing or preventing cramps.

-Anti-spasmodic herbal treatments are a good route to go, as are herbs that also have benefits of relaxation and benefits for the digestive system as lessen the bloating you lesser the pain. Herbal teas are best, drunk from the start of your period a few times a day, fresh herbs are always best, and you should make these teas by bringing water to the boil, but putting the herbs in while simmering – boiling can destroy some of the benefits of the herbs. If fresh tea is not an option then health stores, or even supermarkets have herbal teas, and health stores will be able to advise you on what to get, even a simple women's blend would help.
The best herbs to go for are; Chamomile, Valerian, Yarrow, Raspberry leaf, Peppermint, Clove, Cinnamon, Lemon balm, Black Haw, Blessed thistle, Wild marjoram, Red raspberry, Wild strawberry, Blue cohosh and Dong quai.

-Gentle exercise is of course an obvious one, yoga is fantastic, it is a nice easy form of exercise that helps you stretch out, it also has added benefits of incorporating relaxation and deep breathing.

-Baths, heat can significantly decrease menstrual cramps, as well as this it has the effect of relaxation, more so if you use essential oils such as lavender.

-Breathing exercises, some people find this a little strange, that breathing is something we do naturally anyway, however we often get out of practice and taking the time to understand how your body moves as you breath and mental exercise can help calm you down.

-Sex, whether by yourself or with a partner can help a lot, during orgasm it is believed that a hormone which causes uterine contractions is released calls Oxytocin, which can help to push out menstrual material. The relaxation and improved circulation to the pelvic area after sex can also ease period pain.

-Acupressure. The acupressure/acupuncture points that should be stimulated for menstrual cramps are: BL24 (Qihaishu), BL25 (Dachangshu), BL30 (Baihuanshu), BL31 (Shangliao), BL32 (Ciliao), BL34 (Xialiao), CV2 (Qugu), CV6 (Qihai), KI5 (Shuiquan), and KI6 (Zhao Hai). If you don't have time to learn this yourself you can go to a professional, if money is an issue perhaps just go once and ask them to show you some methods to ease off the pain.

-Lavender is an obvious oil to use to relax, in an oil burner, scented candles, in your bath, generally all around you it will help you relax so in turn help ease off cramps. You can also pick up from some health stores small pots of oil that you rub into your temples that are really handy when you are out of the house.

-Clary Sage is very well known to help with cramps, just massage a few drops onto your belly starting a day or two before your period starts and use three times a day after that if cramps persist.

-Pennyroyal in a carrier like almond oil, rub a little into your stomach as described above – whatever you do, do not use a lot, because it can be a very nasty oil to use that will make you bleed, only use a few drops in a carrier oil.

2006-08-07 11:29:18 · answer #1 · answered by Kasha 7 · 3 0

Apparently taking evening primrose oil capsules can help, as can light exercise. I admit that I tend to have a bath and curl up with a hot water bottle though. Its true about the weed too, but depends on your views on that kinda thing

2006-08-07 11:03:31 · answer #2 · answered by purpleandroid 3 · 0 0

Painkillers, a hot water bottle, a steaming hot mug of tea and a big bar of chocolate! Hope the pains ease off soon for you

2006-08-07 12:37:33 · answer #3 · answered by TB 5 · 0 0

Have a nice hot bath, cook yourself a nice warming meal, ie pasta or your favourite food, get into bed with a water bottle on your tummy and just relax and watch your favourite film. Drink plenty of water also. Before you go to sleep make yourself a nice hot milk drink as that will help you sleep.

2006-08-08 03:45:44 · answer #4 · answered by jmhale2005 2 · 0 0

the evening primose oil capsules did help somewhat for me. I used to get pains so bad I'd pass out. You have to be taking the capsules for a month or two before you notice any change though. I always find curling up into a tight ball helps though, as does sex! Bit messy sometimes though...

2006-08-07 11:17:21 · answer #5 · answered by starla_o0 4 · 0 0

Don't listen to the people who are suggesting weed/joints. It is not healthy!
Try a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate to start, then do something to distract yourself from the pain such as exercise or something active.

2006-08-07 11:09:20 · answer #6 · answered by Lady_Rachelina 4 · 0 0

i used to ve a very painful periods even after taking some painkillers is still hurts like hell,not until a doctor periscibed this caps for FELIVIN CAPS they in red colours just take two in d morning and two in d nights u will be suprised how good it works,take care its a not easy to be a woman,cheers

2006-08-07 20:24:28 · answer #7 · answered by chigirl 2 · 0 0

You have my sympathy!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to get them so bad somethings that i couldn't even walk. I then went on the pill and that eased them alot and made them lighter. If you cant go on the pill for what ever reason, ibuprofen, a hot water bottle and a lie down works well or a hot bath. Good luck, i hope they ease soon.

2006-08-07 11:23:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Hot water bottle, weepy movie (let those hormones out), comfort food...phone a friend? Goss is good for takin yr mind off things.
(im a bloke, but suffer "periods by Proxy! as i live with my Gfrnd.)

2006-08-07 11:08:14 · answer #9 · answered by ben b 5 · 0 0

hot water bottle on your stomach
or run your nails gently (not enought to scratc the surface) down your side - with the back of your hand
also curling up into a really tight ball with your thighs against your stomach
& not forgetting the all important paracetemol & fennel tea

2006-08-07 11:07:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Hottie bottle and a nice cup of raspberryleaf tea...maybe with a couple of nurofen too...make sure you don't take them on an empty stomach...keep up your fluid levels during your period, drink water...not too cold...avoid chilled drinks. Big hugs xxxx

2006-08-07 11:05:34 · answer #11 · answered by minitheminx65 5 · 0 0

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