6 effective home remedies to treat menstrual cramps

A woman is nature’s masterpiece. She has incredible abilities to nurture and procreate. As billions of women across the world would agree, this ability to procreate comes at a hefty price, and it is menstruation.

Menstruation is an extremely normal phenomenon, and women experience it since the age of twelve or fourteen till they reach their fifties, until the menopause phase begins. Regular menstruation cycles are an indication of a healthy reproductive system, and when this cycle goes haywire, it points toward some serious underlying health issue. So, you can arrive at the conclusion that menstruation is, in fact, a blessing in disguise.

However, in spite of the importance of menstrual cycles in a woman’s life, one cannot deny the fact that those five days can be extremely miserable. Women experience severe mood swings and something more formidable accompanies these menstrual cycles, menstrual cramps! Menstrual cramps are what transforms a happy woman to a creature who just wants to go into hibernation with her favorite chips and start a movie marathon.

Menstrual cramps can be taken care of with the help of over-the-counter medications, but some women aren’t in favor of popping pills to ease this pain. In such cases, the following home remedies can help in reducing the intensity of the menstrual cramps.

Stay hydrated
During menstruation, there are high chances that you can get dehydrated if you don’t drink enough water regularly. Moreover, dehydration can trigger the onset of menstrual cramps and even worsen it if you already have it. Without enough water in your body, the body starts retaining fluids which cause bloating and make you feel uneasy. So, in order to reduce the severity of the cramps and prevent bloating, it is advisable to drink lots of water. You can even start your day with fruit-infused water to ensure that you stay hydrated for the rest of the day.

Apply heat
Menstrual cramps occur in the lower abdomen. When these cramps get intolerable, all you have to do is apply heat to that area. You can either use a hot water bag or the electrical ones and apply it directly to the lower abdomen. Studies have revealed that applying a heating pad at the temperature of 104℉ is as effective as taking an ibuprofen for relieving menstrual cramps.

Dietary changes
Dietary changes go a long way in relieving menstrual cramps. Even though you might crave sugary foods or salty chips, it is imperative that you don’t give in to these cravings. Instead of munching away on potato chips or doughnuts, you need to make certain amends to your diet. You should start consuming anti-inflammatory foods like cherries, squash, bell peppers, tomatoes, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, you should start including calcium-rich foods like almonds, beans, and dark leafy vegetables to combat the inflammation.

Say no to caffeine
Though you cannot start your day without your favorite coffee, it is ideal if you skip caffeine when you are on your menstrual cycle. Caffeine is known to worsen menstrual cramps. Therefore, only for these five days, you can switch to smoothies instead. Fruits and vegetable smoothies are rich in antioxidants and proteins, and they can go a long way in easing the pain caused by menstrual cramps.

Massage with essential oils
Massage therapies are a great way of dealing with menstrual cramps. You can use any essential oil of your choice and massage the affected area for 20 minutes. Massaging the abdomen, back, and the sides with essential oils will reduce the pain immediately and ensure that this relief doesn’t fade away for a long time.

Add herbs to your list
Herbs are quite effective in relieving the pain caused by menstrual cramps. Certain herbs like chamomile, fennel seeds, cinnamon, ginger, and dill possess several anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic compounds that are instrumental in reducing the muscle contraction and swelling that is caused by the menstrual pain.