Menstrual cramps are the worst. You’re in pain, you’re cranky and you feel like climbing under a rock where you can live out the rest of your period. However, this discomfort is, unfortunately, common when you’re menstruating. Fortunately, there are a few ways in which you can soothe your menstrual cramps.

Here’s how:

1. Apply heat

Placing a heating pad, a hot water bottle or even a hot towel on your abdomen can help in soothing your menstrual cramps. Applying heat increases blood flow and relaxes the muscles, allowing for the dissipation of pain. 

2. Watch what you eat

If you’re trying to soothe any form of menstrual pain, you should be avoiding foods that cause bloating and water retention. Some of these foods include fatty foods (gotta go easy on the binge eating,) salty foods and carbonated beverages. You also want to be able to get a decent amount of calcium and magnesium. These help in muscle relaxation.

3. Turn to chai

Okay, maybe not the proper chai we’re used to. However, certain kinds of tea help soothe period pain. Chamomile tea is known to help relieve muscle spasms by increasing urinary levels of glycine, which acts as a nerve relaxant.

4. Ensure you’re getting enough Vitamin D

High levels of prostaglandins cause severe menstrual cramps. Vitamin D helps decrease the production of prostaglandins. It also decreases the production of cytokines, which basically promote inflammation within your body.

5. Try to exercise

Personally, I avoid any form of exercise while menstruating because contrary to what advertisements will have you believe, daag achay nahi hotay. Daag extra work hotay hain. However, exercise increases blood flow and releases endorphins that counteract prostaglandins. This reduces cramping.

6. Make sure you’re getting enough water

Keeping your body hydrated will prevent water retention and painful bloating. Drinking warm water (as unpleasant as it sounds in this immense garmi) will increase blood flow to the skin and helps relax muscles.

7. Make sure you’re having enough greens

Ensuring that you’re getting enough greens covers your dietary requirement of magnesium and calcium. They also contain nutrients that are important in mediating muscular contractions.

8. Go easy on the coffee

Caffeine should be avoided as it causes blood vessels to constrict and can actually cause an increase in discomfort from cramps and bloating.

9. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and rest

Irregular sleeping patterns tend to interfere with your regular cycle and can result in increased irritability, fatigue and menstrual cramps. Your body is already shedding the internal lining of your uterus. Ensuring that you have had enough sleep and are well rested in general will make things easier.

10. Massage your abdomen

Massaging can help reduce menstrual pain significantly. It is known to reduce back pain and cramps and also makes you feel less bloated.

11. Pop a painkiller

Jab kuch bhi nahi kaam karey, you’ll always have pain killers to rely on. Even though a lot of women don’t want to rely on medicine, you can always use this as a last resort.

Do you have any remedies that you ladies use?

Cover image via: activlifetech.com.au