In my office, my boss uses a hot water bottle to reduce period pains when she has them (small office, had to learn; good to know.) I gave one of those furry-animal-covered hot water bottles to my girlfriend and she said it helped her too.
Yet when I mentioned this method to other lady friends, they were horrified and said that that causes more blood to come through.
Are both schools of thought right? Does the warmth cause a greater flow and does ths help to get the most painful part over sooner? Or does the warmth simply reduce the pain from the cramps and the increased flow is an acceptable side-effect?
2006-12-05 22:43:10 · 23 answers · asked by NotsoaNonymous 4 in Health ➔ Women's Health
The warmth helps to relax the muscles, and hence reduce cramping. (This will also work for a sore stomach.)
I would certainly recommend a hottie for period pains - if it helps you. Some women say that if they bleed heavily it is less painful than if they bleed lightly, so more bleeding may not be a bad thing in and of itself. If you notice significantly more blood, - especially if you are already a heavy bleeder, then a hot water bottle may not be appropriate for you. If you don't notice a difference in the bleeding, but you do notice a reduction in the pain, then a hot water bottle is way to go. The alternatives are pain killers, which I believe should be used with caution, or hormones, which some people believe have dangerous side effects and which may or may not be effective in your case.
I have a theory that the design of the human female reproductive system is so bad (period pains, birth difficulties, etc), that the design must have won an award at some stage!!
2006-12-05 23:08:51 · answer #1 · answered by Spell Check! 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hot Water Bottle Period
2016-10-16 13:29:41 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same issue as you so I know where you're coming from. It was during my A Levels that I finally went to see a doctor and I wasn't too keen on going on the pill either so I was given Mefenamic Acid (it's not actually an acid) and it reduces the pain a lot and also makes periods lighter. It's not a hormonal treatment like the pill and you only take it during your period. You could even take it the day before you start to bleed (if your periods are regular and you know when you're going to start bleeding) so that it starts to work before hand. As for the actual appointement, are you seeing a female doctor? This made it much easier for me and you'd be surprised at how nice they'll be if they sence you're a little unsure of what you're asking for. Just see where the conversation goes!
2016-03-13 04:00:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have never heard of causing greater blood loss but doctors tell women who suffer from bad period pains to take feminax tablets sold over the counter at chemist and too use a hot water bottle, maybe the greater blood loss is a old wife's tale like women should not bath when they have got their period i hope this helps.
2006-12-05 22:54:36 · answer #4 · answered by lorraine x 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Before I went on the contraceptive pill I used to suffer with extremely painful period pains. I tried all sorts of painkillers but nothing would work for me. That was until I came across Nurofen Plus, they are fantastic so get your girlfriend to try these. I used to use a hot water bottle & have really hot baths which would help to ease the pain but would never take it away. Nurofen Plus is the best option or she could try going on the contraceptive pill which will take the pain away completely.
2006-12-05 22:55:58 · answer #5 · answered by EmmaB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hot water bottles DO reduce the pain and discomfort in most women.
Your other lady friends don't seem to quite know their biology if they seem to think it causes more blood to come through. The heat will attract more blood to the area where the heat is, but will not actually add any blood to the menstrual flow as that amount is fixed - it's just the lining of the uterus breaking down.
Maybe the pain reducing action of the heat enables them to move around a bit more than otherwise (I know I otherwise just want to curl up and sleep!) and that movement would encourage the flow to exit more rapidly, but that's about the only reasonable thing I can think of as to why it would seem that there's a greater flow.
2006-12-06 02:32:25 · answer #6 · answered by junkmonkey1983 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hot water bottles are nice.
As far as a heavier flow? The Uterus only has so much lining to shed........so as it may seem that the flow would be heavier you are not loosing any more blood then in a usual period. Hot water bottle or not same amount of flow.
2006-12-06 01:17:44 · answer #7 · answered by JS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dont have a hot water bottle but I do use one of those wheat bags that you microwave I havent noticed more blood just makes the pains slightly more bareable
use whatever helps a hot bath used to help me too till we replaced the bath with a shower
2006-12-05 22:57:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hot water bottle only easy,s the pain by causing the blood to flow. A body who has this every time must have it checked by a doctor to make sure it,s not some thing serious which can some times cause infertility.
2006-12-05 23:01:00 · answer #9 · answered by milly o 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hot water bottles are great. they always make you feel better even if theres nothing wrong in the first place, hehe.
They definitley help me with period pains though. Never heard of that second thing though.
2006-12-05 22:48:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋