Many of us women are familiar with the unnerving ache in our abdomen that arrives each month. A minority of women scarcely feel any sort of menstrual cramps, while a majority of us feel them to various extents, oftentimes meaning intense cramps. That is why many of us depend on ibuprofen to disguise the discomfort. Unfortunately, ibuprofen won’t solve the underlying problem.
It is widely assumed that period cramps are an unavoidable reality and can’t be prevented, however, there is good news – this isn’t totally accurate. Doing some digging can make it possible to acquire the truthful information about cramps and how to banish them (or, at the very least, how to minimize them). Are you excited yet?
Whether your menstrual cramps are severe and debilitating each month or simply bothersome, this is what you should be aware of as to why they happen and how to manage them.
What Are Period Cramps and Why Do We Get Them?
Menstrual cramps are not a result of some superstitious notion, but rather have a plausible explanation behind them. Our bodies experience a fluctuation of hormonal levels monthly in order to ready us for potential conception. If pregnancy does not happen, our body will receive a sign to expel the plush, inner uterine lining (also known as the endometrium).
Since the covering won’t leave by itself (it tends to be obstinate), we must expel it. Our uterus goes through a series of contractions and relaxation to make the endometrium let go of the inner part of the uterus. As this occurs, the lining of the uterus begins to disconnect and gradually be expelled from the body.
It is speculated that more prostaglandins (these are hormones similar to substances) are likely responsible for the discomfort and convulsions some women endure when the uterine wall is passed out. Some women experience more severe menstrual pain due to elevated levels of prostaglandins that lead to powerful contractions of the uterus muscles.
Nonetheless, it is not necessarily the case that prostaglandins are the origin of all menstrual cramping. It is unclear why some women have more uncomfortable menstrual cycles than others. Many ladies face consistent, uncomfortable menstrual cramps every month with no clear explanation, yet some may have agonizing symptoms because of existing medical issues like pelvic inflammatory disease, premenstrual syndrome, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis.
What Is the Medical Term for Menstrual Cramps?
Medical professionals refer to uncomfortably intense menstruation as dysmenorrhea. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary.
Primary dysmenorrhea is the most frequent kind and results in a normal, if uncomfortable, sensation of cramping due to hormonal shifts. This isn’t a desirable situation, yet it is not something to worry excessively about.
In contrast, secondary dysmenorrhea is a medical issue causing uncontrollable, agonizing pain during a woman’s monthly period due to a health problem. Common causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include adenomyosis and endometriosis.
Studies show that the majority of females endure dysmenorrhea. If you experience intense muscle spasms each month, you are not alone. Around 14% of ladies suffer from such acute menstrual cramps every month that they have to miss class or work. Period pain is no joke. It can be highly disruptive and may put some women’s academic achievement or job security in danger. It is essential to be able to control and reduce anxiety as much as possible. Taking ibuprofen and other pharmaceuticals may be an effective solution for dealing with pain, however, there are alternatives we can look into for managing it, such as natural treatments. We’ll go over those later on in this post.
What Do Period Cramps Feel Like?
Are you new to having your menstrual cycle, or have you had it for a while without any significant pain? You may find yourself curious as to what menstrual cramps feel like. It is conceivable that charley horses can be similar to other types of muscle pains, just like a leg spasm or a toe contracture. The cramps associated with menstruation are not identical to other types of muscle spasms, although they may involve the same types of stabbing and aching sensations. Many women perceive menstrual cramps to be more painful than cramped toes or cramped leg muscles, as they tend to linger for a longer period of time.
A cramp in the leg, foot, or elsewhere in the body is usually a minor inconvenience, but menstrual cramps are an entirely different story. Women everywhere are aware of the unrelenting discomfort associated with menstrual cramp pain, which is comparable to a seemingly never-ending cramp in the muscles. Some of us experience pain that is so intense it can make it impossible for us to get out of bed until it passes.
Menstrual cramp pain typically occurs in the lower abdomen. For lots of females, it commences between one and three days prior to when their menstrual flow begins. The discomfort usually reaches its highest point within a day after the bleeding starts, then starts to get less intense after that. Some women experience one or two days of agonizing cramping each month, while others might be in suffering for much of their time of menstruation. No matter how long the period lasts, it is never something to be desired.
If you’re still not sure whether you’re experiencing menstrual cramps or something else, here are some of the telltale signs that the abdominal pain you’re feeling is a gift from good old Aunt Flow:
- Dull, continuous aching sensation in your lower abdomen
- Throbbing or stabbing pain in your lower abdomen that’s associated with your period
- Pain that radiates to your lower back (also commonly referred to as back cramps) or even your thighs
- Pain that begins up to three days prior to your period, gets worse about 24 hours after you start bleeding, then slowly subsides over the next few days
Certain fortunate women may also have dizziness, queasiness, migraines, and watery stools while menstruating. If you have excruciating discomfort, bleeding, or other serious signs throughout your periods, it may be a good idea to consult with a doctor about your fears.
Why Don’t All Women Get the Same Severity of Period Cramps?
I think it’s terribly unjust that you feel stuck on the couch when you’re on your period, but your best friend seems to get through her each month without any troubles. Experts continue to be unsure why some women are lucky when it comes to menstrual cramps, however, a publication by the National Cancer Institute on PubMedHealth suggests the distinction could be connected to how a woman is responsive to prostaglandins, which are chemical signals that prompt the uterus to contract. Studies printed in The Journal of Pain suggest that females going through intense dysmenorrhea might be more prone to hurting generally. A study conducted in Australia suggested that those who smoke have a higher likelihood of experiencing painful menstrual cramps. Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health suggested that there could be a possible hereditary connection. Therefore, it is likely that if your mother experienced severe menstrual pains, then you will too. The difficulties and discomforts associated with menstruation go beyond just pelvic cramps. The uterus contracting may cause back pain that spreads from the affected area. When women menstruate, the fluctuation in their hormones can bring about headaches. She also states that hormonal changes and the release of prostaglandins can cause some women to experience nausea and diarrhea. The hormones that fluctuate and the blood loss from the period can result in severe fatigue, making matters worse. The suffering and distress felt by women can vary from one individual to another.
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Period Cramps
The downside of menstrual pain and its source of discomfort aren’t always easy to identify, and there may not be a guaranteed fix. On the flip side, though, several home-based treatments may be successful at reducing the distress that some people experience. Among those natural remedies are:
Diet Adjustments
Studies have demonstrated that consuming foods that have high levels of saturated fats and simple sugars can make the symptoms associated with menstrual cramps worse. Alternatively, eating foods that are rich in omega-3s, calcium, and iron can help to alleviate some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with menstruation. It is suggested that a diet that includes lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains should be consumed by those who experience menstrual cramps.
Light to Moderate Exercise
Exercising, specifically light stretching for around 10 minutes, can help improve blood flow and diminish discomfort while experiencing menstrual cramps. There is a delicate balance between doing enough exercise and doing too much. If you have never been particularly active, suddenly engaging in a strenuous workout regimen can be more problematic than beneficial. It doesn’t matter how physically fit you are; even basic activities like stretching, walking, or biking can have a dramatic impact on period symptoms.
Stress Reduction
The effects of stress can be felt in every corner of life, including your menstrual cycle. Stress has the capacity to affect your menstrual cycle, making it inconsistent in terms of routine and time, impairing your immune system, and raising your threshold for discomfort. Gaining insight into the relationship between stress and one’s menstrual cycle can be complicated and vary from individual to individual. It is definite that discovering an efficient and secure method to handle tension that is suitable for you is essential to your health in general. It is known to most people that doing physical activity on a regular basis is an excellent way of controlling stress. Declining requests that are not essential to your schedule is beneficial. An incredibly useful way of combating stress is to engage in mindfulness. Being in the practice of concentrating on the here and now, instead of worrying about what happened in the past or stressing out about what might come in the future, and allowing yourself to have thoughts and feelings without judgement is what it means to be mindful. Investigations have demonstrated that mindfulness exercises can be useful in reducing distress and promoting relaxation, which are both known to help ease pain. Evidence from a Clinical Psychology Review analysis suggests that mindfulness can be very advantageous for health.
Herbs
Certain herbs are recognized for their capacity to suppress inflammation and may result in a decrease in menstrual discomfort. Some examples are chamomile tea, ginger, fenugreek, cinnamon, turmeric, dill, and fennel. A comfortable and calming approach to take in these plants is to drink them in a cup of tea.
Massage and More
The use of massage is known to help with improved blood flow, sense of calmness, and relieving menstrual cramps. Can’t get to the spa? Opting to take a leisurely hot shower may aid in soothing tense muscles and increase blood flow. A certified specialist may be able to use acupuncture and/or acupressure to reduce pain and swelling in some female patients. Instead of using needles like acupuncture, acupressure presses firmly against particular parts of the body on the meridians. Our mothers and a MedlinePlus guide both agree that a heating pad, hot water bottle and hot bath are excellent ways to reduce menstrual discomfort.
OTC Help for Period Cramps
At the same time that we would all like to have our pain addressed with natural therapies, there are moments—for example, the morning of an important job interview—when it’s necessary to be able to take something that will quickly terminate the pain. OTC options for period cramps abound. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, Advil, and naproxen, are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that function by barring a chemical known as cyclooxygenase, or COX. The result of this is a decrease in the amount of prostaglandins produced during the menstrual cycle. By stopping prostaglandins from functioning, the swelling and ache will go down. Using NSAIDs a couple of days ahead of your menstrual cycle may decrease the amount of blood flow for women who tend to hemorrhage a lot. Tylenol, which is the well-known name for acetaminophen, blocks the perception of pain instead. Midol, a well-known option for relieving menstrual cramps, is made up of acetaminophen, caffeine and an antihistamine. Caffeine can boost your energy and act as a diuretic, which can help reduce swelling and water retention, providing the necessary relief from your symptoms.
When to Bring in the Professionals
It is necessary to make an appointment with a gynecologist if you are enduring intense, unbearable menstrual cramps. A doctor could provide you with contraception pills, a Mirena intrauterine device, or a specific prescription medicine to stabilize your cycle, curtail menstruation, and minimize discomfort. Some women, in consultation with their physicians, decide to utilize birth control without a break in order to cease menstruation. Severe discomfort associated with your menstrual cycle may be indicative of a more serious issue than just the normal pains of menstruation.
If you’re suffering from pain that isn’t alleviated by any over the counter drugs or lifestyle changes, it’s important to get evaluated by a gynecologist.
It’s clear that dealing with your menstrual cycle will never be an entirely pleasant experience. Generally speaking, experiencing mild pain and discomfort is customary, however, you don’t need to endure the negative repercussions this can have on the standard of your life. Try using both natural and over the counter treatments, and if you are having consistent or intense discomfort, be sure to check with your gynecologist to make sure there are not more serious illnesses present.
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