Menstrual pain or cramp is the leading cause of absenteeism in women under the age of 30.
Funny as that seems, you could tell how many times you felt like staying at home to nurse the menstrual pain when it comes.
In short, some persons do not just show up at work on these days.
In essence, menstrual pain occurs in a woman’s lower abdomen when her menstrual period begins (or just before) and may continue for two to three days.
Sometimes, the pain is dull or sharp and could temporarily disable 10% of women who have it.
Basically, half of women who have menstrual periods experience some form of discomfort.
Ella is one of them and each time her menstrual period is approaching, everyone around her gears up to go through it with her.
The cries, the complaints and the tension are usually unbearable for everyone. She could even become aggressive.
Endlessly, she has looked for solutions, but no much gain has been made. The drugs she takes to prepare her body ahead have failed her, doing little or nothing to stop the pains.
Some other ladies have accepted it as their fate.
Why Menstrual Pain Happens
Approximately once every 28 days, if there is no sperm to fertilise the egg, the uterus contracts to expel its lining.
Hormone-like substances called prostaglandins trigger this process (1).
Prostaglandins are chemicals that form in the lining of the uterus during menstruation.
They cause muscle contractions and cramps that are similar to labor pains. They can also contribute to nausea and diarrhea.
You may also find our article on 4 Natural Ways Of Preventing Infection And Cleansing Vagina helpful
When this menstrual pain comes, the knowledge an individual has could help make the days less of a trouble to everyone.
Your body system is bound to get used to the drugs you take and build resistance, making the drug less effective.
But with these natural remedies, your body adjusts and makes the period less painful for you when it comes.
1. Exercise Eases Menstrual Pain
This is one area that many people fail. Some say they do not have time because of a tight schedule.
But we have suggested a period that they can exercise to help the body system function better. Do it late at night if you return home from work late.
In fact, few minutes skipping can help regulate the body system well.
The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise every week.
However, not very many persons do this.
Engage in aerobics or other physical exercises days before the period comes and during the period.
2. Stay Free From Fatty Food
We know that chemicals called prostaglandins are a central part of the problem.
These chemicals are made from the traces of fat stored in cell membranes and they promote inflammation.
Prostagladins are also involved in muscle contractions, blood vessel constriction, blood clotting, and pain.
According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), shortly before a period begins, the endometrial cells that form the lining of the uterus make large amounts of prostaglandins (2).
“When these cells break down during menstruation, the prostaglandins are released.
“They constrict the blood vessels in the uterus and make its muscle layer contract, causing painful cramps.
“Some of the prostaglandins also enter the bloodstream, causing headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea,” PCRM wrote.
Consequently, what this means is that the less fat you have in the lining of the uterus, the less prostaglandins that would be produced. And this translates to less pains.
3. Use Molasses
Meanwhile, during period flow, a lady needs enough iron and calcium to help ease the pains that could result.
One product that is rich in iron and known to bring relief to persons experiencing period pain is Blackstrap Molasses.
Molasses is rich in iron, potassium, phosphorus and calcium and and as such prevents menstrual pain that comes before or during menstruation.
Black Strap Molasses is available in different sizes for persons who would want to get it.
4. Make Ginger Tea
This is one remedy that is available to us all year round in Nigeria and adding it to warm water as tea will do a lot.
A 2012 study says treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) in students with ginger for 5 days had a statistically significant effect on relieving intensity and duration of pain (3).
Ginger has a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and this is why it helps to cleanse the system.
5. Avoid Sugary Drinks
Sugar is one substance that suppresses our immune system and also turns to fat in our system when the body system fails to absorb it.
Have you read how Maca Boosts Libido, Fertility And More?
Because of this, a reduced intake of sugar will result in a boost in immune system.
Sweetened drinks are the basic means of getting this processed sugar and should be eliminated as much as possible.
6. Body Massage
A massage before and during menstrual period will help free the body system and also relief pain.
Get someone that understands how this is done to help.
7. Warm Water Therapy For Menstrual Pain
In addition, a warm water therapy can help reduce pain.
There is a warm water bag that you can use to reduce the pain you feel in your stomach.
Fill the bag with warm water, apply tea tree essential oil on your abdomen and then place the bag on it.
The heat will help reduce the pain caused by prostaglandins.
8. Increase Intake Of Vitamin C-rich Food
Finally, intake of Vitamin C-rich foods will help boost your immune system to fight the pain or other issues that may have caused the increased pain.
Citrus, garlic, potatoes and pomegranate are some of the foods that you can add to your diet during this period.
Kindly share this article with anyone you know faces menstrual pain and help them overcome these challenge.