what's the best way to prevent menstrual cramps?

Answer 1

A doctor probably wouldn't agree with this answer, since they love their drugs, but I truly believe I have the ultimate solution for menstrual cramps. I used to get severe cramps and sore breasts. My mother is very much into alternative medicine and told me to try this and voila! I now NEVER get cramps, PMS, or sore breasts. In fact, I don't even know my period is coming...I have no symptoms.

Most people just take painkillers like Advil or Tylenol. But these
are only painkillers that cover up the symptoms, they do not prevent the cramps from occurring in the first place.

The solution? Magnesium. Muscles in your body require magnesium to relax. In fact, they chemically cannot relax properly if they are deficient in this mineral.

The biggest question is: where can you find magnesium? Well, there's a little bit in milk and dairy products, but not much. One of the biggest sources of magnesium is nuts. But what I've noticed in my generation (I'm 20) is that nuts were banned in schools when I was growing up because there were so many kids with severe nut allergies, so most kids didn't eat nuts, like in peanut butter. The result? Many young adults walking around have a magnesium deficiency, which is likely the cause for most women's cramps.

So to prevent cramps from starting you need to greatly increase your magnesium intake. You can do that by either a) eating foods that are high in magnesium or b) taking a magnesium supplement.

Personally, I take a supplement. It's a lot easier than trying to regulate how much magnesium I get in my food. Since I am not a doctor I cannot say "you should take X amount" but I CAN share with you what I personally take for myself, and I tell you it works wonders for me.

Before I share what exact supplement I take, I just want to inform you that there are many brands out there, and some are better than others. Most magnesium supplements are coupled with calcium, and usually at a 2:1 ratio, calcium being the 2. There are some that are a 1:1 ratio, and if you are trying to prevent cramps, like I do, I'd go with the 1:1 ratio. However if you can only find a 2:1 ratio supplement by all means you can take that. Calcium is of course good for you, it just means you won't be getting as much Magnesium, the mineral that will prevent the cramps. If you really want to kick those cramps in the *** I'd take the time to find a brand that has the same amount of magnesium and calcium, a 1:1 ratio.

Second, minerals come in a variety of forms. As we all learned basic chemistry in science class in high school all atoms, especially minerals, are unstable by themselves and therefore found in more stable compounds with other minerals. In magnesium supplements there are 2 common compound types: Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Citrate. The more expensive brands tend to use Magnesium Citrate while the cheaper brands use Magnesium Oxide. There is nothing dangerous or bad about Magnesium Oxide, however your body requires magnesium citrate to absorb and use it properly. Therefore, if you consume Magnesium Oxide you body must take an extra step and chemically break it down and turn it into Magnesium Citrate before using it. This is not bad, it just means your body has more work to do. This is why more expensive brands use the Citrate compound, so your body can absorb and use it 'as-is' without any extra manipulation. I would recommend finding a supplement that uses magnesium citrate. But again, if you can't find one, magnesium oxide is a good second choice.

Alright, now that you've been given a crash course on magnesium supplements, here is the brand/type I take:

Natural Factors
Calcium & Magnesium Citrate
with D
plus Potassium & zinc

it contains:
250 mg Calcium (Citrate)
250 mg Magnesium (Citrate/Oxide)
20 mg Potassium (Citrate)
5 mg Zinc (Citrate)
1 mg Manganese (Citrate)
100 IU Vitamin D3

I take one of these tablets everyday. It doesn't matter when. Because it is not a drug you don't have to take it at a certain time. Also, it is safe to take 2 a day (The bottle says 1-2 tablets a day). It's a mineral, not a drug so its practically impossible to overdose. All these are are minerals and vitamins that can be found in food. But because of the crap that's put in our food these days its almost impossible to get the proper amount of nutrients, which is why supplements are so important.

You should be able to find a calcium-magnesium supplement (sometimes dubbed a "cal-mag") in any local health food store. However, if you're interested in the one I take, you should be able to find a distributor at this web site:

http://www.naturalfactors.com/

I hope this helps. Also, please keep in mind that this is not a "quick fix". This is actually going help prevent the cramps by providing your body with the minerals required to keep your muscles in good working order. If your body is severely deficient in these minerals (and possibly if you're also deficient in others) it may take more than one menstrual cycle to completely get rid of your symptoms. A multi-vitamin/multi-mineral might also be beneficial to make sure you're topped up in all nutrients, with the cal-mag as an extra boost to help with this particular symptom. Good brands to look for multi vitamins and minerals are Quest and Sisu.

I hope this helps you and anyone else who stumbles upon this question. And I hope some of you are willing to give my suggestion a try and I wish you good health and success.

Answer 2

Cramps are caused by the contraction of the uterus during menstruation and vary in intensity from mild to debilitating.
Instructions
STEP 1: Reduce your consumption of salt, sugar and caffeine during the week before your period to prevent cramps or reduce their severity. STEP 2: Increase your intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt or leafy green vegetables. STEP 3: Keep in mind that a high-potency B-complex vitamin may help if you're susceptible to menstrual cramps. Vitamin B 6 is especially important, but don't take more than 100mg per day. STEP 4: Apply heat to your muscles when cramps occur. Take a hot bath or place a hot water bottle on your abdomen or lower back. STEP 5: Get moving. Sitting or lying around may actually make you feel worse. Swimming and walking are good activities because they are gentle and not too stressful. Certain stretches and yoga positions will also help to relieve the pain. STEP 6: Avoid standing for long periods if you have pain in your lower back. STEP 7: Massage your lower back to relieve tension and pain. STEP 8: Take ibuprofen or naproxen to help relieve cramps. STEP 9: Take a break, breathe deeply and listen to soothing music. Tips & Warnings
If you are interested in using herbs and other natural remedies, consult a naturopath or a doctor who practices natural medicine.
If you are in extreme pain, have an unusually heavy flow or notice big blood clots, or if you also have other symptoms such as vomiting and fainting, consult a doctor.

Answer 3

Magnesium Oxide For Cramps

Answer 4

Start taking Tylonol or Aleve a few days prior to when the cramps usually start. By the time the cramps come, you have already built up a level of the medication in your system.

Answer 5

Tylenol, advil, midol, sleeping, exercising, hot bath, heating pads, drinking lots of water, eating a banana. I have the worst cramps ever they get so bad that i have even passed out a few times but anyways if yours are this bad you can go to your doctor and get medicine or birth control. Good luck!

Answer 6

I always take some advil at the first hint of a cramp. It will knock it out before it starts.

Answer 7

All fruits are fresh vegetables. A "vegetable" is a plant, any part of which can be used for food.

Answer 8

In the superstore, fruits are usually selected far too soon. Some are rocks, many are bitter. Some of the fresh vegetables are typical right (zucchini, onions, garlic, lettuce, greens, and a few others) so I'd have to go with vegetables.