If you are a natural-born woman, the monthly period is inevitable because that is how God made us or nature intended us to be. There is premenstrual syndrome (PMS) plus a host of other symptoms when a woman has her period. It is even like a joke or common knowledge that a woman has the periodic “crazies” whenever she has her menstruation. But for some women, having their period also means a period of very intense pain in the abdomen. Here are some tips on how to ease menstrual pain so that your routine is not hampered even when you have your monthly period. It is very empowering to be free from this cycle of pain so let’s take a look at this.
Why Menstrual Pain Happens
Menstrual pain is also known as primary dysmenorrhea¹. In the Philippines, we often hear the shortcut “dysme”, when one is experiencing pain brought about by their monthly cycle.
Primary dysmenorrhea is the cramping pain that comes before or during a period. This pain is caused by natural chemicals in the body called prostaglandins² that are made in the lining of the uterus. Their presence causes the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus to contract and cause varying degrees of pain.
Sometimes, the pain is tolerable. While a girl with her period can go on with her school activities or office affairs, she may feel occasional sharp pains that can make her inhale and grasp her abdomen. In worst-case scenarios, some women experience extreme pain, especially on the first day of their period, that they have to call in sick and stay in bed. They can even be feverish because of the excruciating pain.
The pain can be too much but since it’s a natural setback to being female, most women just “let it pass” because it actually will after a day. More often than not, they would not take painkillers if they can tolerate the pain because they do not want to hamper the body’s natural processes. If the pain becomes too much and she needs to go somewhere, an over-the-counter painkiller is the last resort.
Home Remedies That Can Help Remedy Menstrual Pain
But let’s face it. Menstrual pain can get in the way of work, our studies, our hopes, and even our dreams. It’s like you lose one day each month because you are
Take a warm bath or shower.
A hot or warm bath is relaxing, can soothe tired muscles, and reduce pain. Dysmenorrhea can lead to tense muscles that a hot bath can relieve.
Use a heating pad or water bottle for a hot compress.
In the past, hot water was poured into a glass bottle, which was then closed and wrapped in a towel. It is placed on the abdomen where the pain is concentrated until the bottle cools. Nowadays, you can buy a heating pad and charge it until it is fully heated. This is safer and more convenient.
Massage
Homeopathic practitioners do not recommend a full body massage during red days because a body massage encourages circulation and can therefore result in bleeding more than you should be. However, a soft back massage and some tummy rubs can alleviate the pain.
Include More Physical Activities in Your Routine
For the long-term, getting physically fit or including more physical activities in your routine can help reduce incidences of dysmenorrhea or at least diminish the intensity. You can try gentle or low-impact exercises like yoga, swimming, and walking. These can improve your overall circulation and tone the muscles.
Use pain patches
There is such a product as the Suremed Menstrual Cramp Relief Patch. It is an air-activated heat wrap or patch that contains natural herbs. It applies the principle of soothing heat therapy on the abdomen but with the convenience of a patch.
You can place the patch on your abdomen and go on with your day. It is safe and natural, plus it is discreet and not bulky at all. While you can wear it with your regular clothes, it is advisable not to wear it with very tight jeans to allow for proper circulation in the area. That should also prevent you from getting a urinary tract infection (UTI)³ during red days when you are more susceptible to bacterial growth and irritation.
The Suremed Menstrual Cramp Relief Patch is surely a sigh of relief for dysmenorrhea sufferers everywhere.
Take painkillers
The last-ditch effort would be to take painkillers like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen so that the body can be relieved of the stress brought about by the intense pain. Just take it with a full glass of water.
Be Free
As women, menstrual pain can hinder us from reaching our full potential. There is so much freedom in having a pain-free monthly period. While we cannot avoid menstruation because that is nature, we can lessen its impact if we can lessen the pain and discomfort. That is so empowering!
Suremed Menstrual Cramp Relief Patch
Get the Suremed Menstrual Cramp Relief Patch from Medcare Supplies. Resellers and wholesalers welcome.
Branches at: Hilado Street and Hernaez Street, Bacolod City
Negros Occidental, Philippines
For inquiries – 0918-7876322
Fb: Medcare Supplies
Sources:
- ¹ Primary Dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Updates, NIH National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8943241/
- ² Prostaglandins, You and Your Hormones, https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/prostaglandins/
- ³ The Effect of aerobic exercise on primary dysmenorrhea: A clinical trial study, NIH National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5791467/
- ⁴ Urinary Tract Infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html
Thank you for sharing this mommy. Very helpful tips on how to lessen the menstrual pain. Sharing is caring ❤️