Many women experience dysmonorrhea, or menstrual cramps, right before or during their periods. You may experience sensations from a dull throb in your lower abdomen to pain running through your lower back down to your thighs. Some women also feel nauseous and dizzy. Regardless of whether your cramps are an irritation or a huge problem in your life, you have every right to look for relief for your menstrual cramps.
How to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps
Making small lifestyle changes can help with relieving menstrual cramps. Getting regular exercise is a prime example. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which attack pain naturally. As an extra bonus, regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and also helps you control your weight.
Being well rested may also help you with your menstrual cramps. When you are tired, you are much more likely to feel pain more acutely than when you are well rested. Make sure you get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
In addition to getting regular exercise and getting enough sleep, some women use heating pads either on their lower backs or their abdomens, depending on where it hurts, to help relieve cramps. Taking a hot bath might also help.
Since stress may have an impact on cramping, you can also try activities that reduce stress levels, such as practicing yoga or meditating.
Menstrual Cramp Remedies
There are other avenues for menstrual cramp pain relief in addition to home remedies. For example, you might try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory that contains ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen. If you choose to take an over-the-counter remedy, don't wait until your cramps are at their worst. Take the anti-inflammatory as soon as you start to hurt.
If you have really bad menstrual cramps, your physician may prescribe birth control pills. This will stop you from ovulating and may help reduce your cramping.
Make sure that you discuss your menstrual cramps with your doctor, particularly if you are in so much pain that you avoid your regular activities or if you suddenly start experiencing cramping that is worse than normal. These may be indications that your cramps are a result of an underlying physical problem other than just menstruation.
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