Menstrual Mania: Cures for Cramps!

July 15, 2008 Posted in Reality

I have a love/hate relationship with my Aunt Flow (the only love is the fact that I get it, hence, no pregnancy worries). Periods are not pleasant; the back aches, lower stomach cramps and nausea is enough to make me want to call out of work for one week a month. Sadly, my schedule and bank account do not permit such activities and I am forced to suck it up and deal.

By Kelly

After getting my period at the age of 10 (yes, feel sorry for me), I have had over ten + years to perfect dealing with this monthly nuisance. I am one of those chicks that gets her period BAD, like, cry on the bathroom floor bad. So, here’s how I’ve learned to deal (and some of my favorite, get-me-through-this-week, tips):

Pain Reliever. Any type of anti-inflammatory will work fine, but Pamprin is the best solution for those bad back and tummy pains. You’ll feel like new in no time!

Exercise. While it may be the last thing you want to do, any type of exercise will raise your endorphin levels and alleviate the tension in your lower area. My favorite is to jump on my treadmill and, while I feel like a mess on there, I feel much better when my workout is over.

Heat. Applying some heat to your pelvic area will break up the muscle cramping. If you can’t have a hot blanket wrapped around you at all times, the Heat Factory warmers or ThermaCare Heat Wraps are perfect to stick on the inside of your underwear for eight hours of warm, soothing comfort!

Tea. Herbal tea can give your body nutrients it needs to stay hydrated, so your muscles don’t cramp up (cramps are caused by dehydration ladies!).

Diet. No, I don’t mean starve yourself! I’m talking about eating the right foods, such as lean meats with lots of iron, as a way to replenish your body of its blood (and, therefore, iron) loss.

Potassium. Lots of b-a-n-a-n-a-s and potatoes will give you healthy doses of potassium, a nutrient that helps alleviate menstrual cramps.

Au Naturale. According to Prevention.com, aromatherapy methods, if you choose to believe, can help soothe and relieve lots of various types of ailments, including menstrual cramps. Fifteen minute aromatherapy massages (which you can do by yourself – all you need is some oils!) with an almond, lavender, rose and/or clary sage essential oils to soothe the muscles as you go.

So there you have it! I hope they work for ya. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable for five days every month. With these new remedies, you may not even know Aunt Flow stopped in for a visit (except for the whole lack-of-booty thing)!!!

[Photo courtesy of TeamSugar.com]

1042011 CommentsMenstrual+Mania%3A+Cures+for+Cramps%212008-07-15+15%3A20%3A51Kelly+-+UMass on "Menstrual Mania: Cures for Cramps!"

amy says:
Tue, 15th Jul 20088:02 am

Another tip that works for some women – birth control pills.

SL says:
Tue, 15th Jul 200812:59 pm

I swear by those heatpacks, they do absolute wonders when I'm in pain (and yes, birth control pills DO help, but they don't completely eradicate the cramping pain I've found.. though they've eased it massively, considering I used to fainting all over the place feeling sick with the pain!).. Also, you could get pills from your GP, they're called Mefanamic Acid over here in the uk.. look them up online, they may have a different name in the US, but they really help ease the pain too

Claire says:
Tue, 15th Jul 20083:16 pm

Yes! Birth control pills are amazing at helping with cramps. They also lighten your flow so you don't have to spend as much on tampons.

Heather says:
Tue, 15th Jul 20083:39 pm

If you do have time to lay down, place a pillow below your knees while laying on your back. It releives pressure on the nerve that makes you feel the pain from your cramps, a good position for bedtime.

laura says:
Tue, 15th Jul 20086:33 pm

Ha! Birth Control helped me… I don't even have my period anymore! I take BC year round. It is terrific!

Lauren, University o says:
Wed, 16th Jul 20082:55 am

My birth control made my cramps WORSE. Nothing seems to help. I am going to try these ideas.

sara says:
Thu, 17th Jul 20084:41 pm

Taking a hot bath feels AMAZING and the warm water will help relieve your cramps.

Also whenever my lower back hurts, I do this weird position thingy where I kneel then tuck my body down over my knees and kind of hug them and stretch my arms forward (like a cat)… it sounds stupid but it really stretches out my back and helps me, for at least a few minutes til my medicine kicks in anyways

Stefanie says:
Thu, 24th Jul 20082:54 pm

Those tips are good, but I have another one to add. Go to an herbal or health food store and look for "cramp bark". I bought it in liquid form and you mix about 20 drops in water and drink it. It doesn't taste great, but it's not bad either. It's an all natural uterine sedative and it works wonders for cramps. I also have the" laying on the bathroom floor crying" type of cramps, and this has honestly provided some relief. I suggest googling "cramp bark" to read more about it, as you would any sort of medicine before taking it.

Lindsay says:
Mon, 4th Aug 20088:05 am

While birth control can seem like a wonderful alternative to some, it can cause long-term complications (such as masking a deeper hormonal imbalance) and it doesn't work for some people (like Lauren in a post above). What birth control is essentially doing is tricking your body into false pregnancy. When you aren't "fertilized," your uterus lining sheds itself. However, this is a chemically-induced period and your body isn't fully able to clean itself. Going year-round without your period is sort of like letting all your dirty laundry pile up for months. If you do let your laundry lie around, it begins to smell bad. It is growing bacteria and attracting disease. Think of what might be happening in your body! Everything may seem okay on the outside, but there are no long-term studies to discern what could be happening on the inside. Many women in our clinic practice have experienced a multitude of health complications from being on the pill and not addressing the issues that got them on the pill in the first place. Every woman, in my opinion, deserves a drug-free, pain free menstruation—especially you!

I am writing on behalf of Laughing Sage Wellness, the #1, trusted destination and pathway for comprehensive, life-changing, holistic women’s healthcare. We have a free weekly newsletter on women's menstrual and hormonal health. You're welcome to visit our website at http://www.laughingsagewellness.com. Have a great day and a happy period!

Kirsten says:
Tue, 21st Jul 20099:45 pm

Oh my god it's like 12 at nite here and I can't sleep because I have the worst cramps ever so I am going to try these ideas

Elizabeth says:
Thu, 7th Jul 20118:07 pm

I will have to try those becuase I will be in so much pain I will call

In sick to work.

Many Thanks

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