Natural Ways To Ease Menstrual Pain

#1 Avoid Caffeinated Products

Avoid drinking caffeinated products whether its coffee and aerated drinks as they tend to cause irritation in the intestines.

#2 Massage your abdomen

Rubbing the affected area can help stimulate blood flow to the uterus, which can ameliorate that cramping feeling.

Massage your lower belly gently with your fingertips and use a circular motion. You can massage your abdomen for as long as you need to, as often as you need to, in order to reduce your symptoms

#3 Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate (over 70% cocoa) is the perfect treat to help with menstrual cramps – it will help your muscles to relax, quickly helping to relieve pain.

If you want to use dark chocolate to help with your symptoms, consider melting dark chocolate over fruit. This combines healthy eating with period pain relief!

#4 Get enough Sleep

It is essential to “rest when needed” to relieve menstrual cramps.

Sleep is generally wonderful for your health, but it’s even more important during your period.

If you don’t have a regular sleep pattern, you can become more fatigued and irritable, leading to more cramping.Just as important as sleeping is keeping yourself well-rested and relaxed.

#5 Turn to Tea to Calm Menstrual Cramps

Certain teas may help relieve menstrual cramps, says Sonya Angelone, RDN in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Research on herbal teas for menstrual pain relief is scarce, say experts, but teas have been used traditionally and can help. Because some of the herbs may act as estrogens, ask your doctor first before using one, especially if you have a history of a hormone-related cancer or take blood-thinning drugs.

#6 Do Some Light Exercise

You’re bloated, in pain and just want to veg out… but a bit of exercise may help solve your pain problem.

Aerobic exercise provide natural pain relief.The increased blood flow and the endorphins help counteract the prostaglandins and reduce cramping.

Exercise can seem impossible when you’re feeling a great deal of pain, and therefore suggested that low impact activities like walking or yoga, which “are still great for helping fight menstrual pain and are easier to do when you are feeling unwell.”

#7 Ginger

Ginger is a wonder herb that can effectively ease menstrual cramps. This herb plays a key role in lowering the levels of the pain-causing prostaglandins. It also helps fight fatigue associated with premenstrual syndrome and can make irregular periods regular.

Grate a small piece of ginger and boil it in a cup of water for five minutes. Strain it and add a little honey and lemon juice. Drink this tea three times a day during your menstrual cycle.

You can also add ginger in your food while cooking or suck on some ginger candies.

#8 Avoid Inflammatory Foods

Foods like grains, dairy and vegetable oils can create inflammation in the body and can exacerbate hormonal problems. The degree that these foods will affect the body varies by person, but I have seen several cases where severe hormonal symptoms were resolved by just adopting a grain free and dairy free diet.

Especially for the first few months, focusing on foods like homemade bone broths, soups, grass fed meats, and healthy fats (butter, coconut oil, tallow, ghee, etc) will help the body rebuild and reduce inflammation. Check out the recipe index for some simple meal ideas.

#9 Reduce red meat and egg yolk consumption

This is because both red meat and egg yolk are high in arachidonic acid (AA). This has been found to increase cellular inflammation in some people.

To find out if you are senstive to AA, eliminate red meat and egg yolk for a month. Reintroduce it and see if your symptoms come back. Choose organic free range meats and eggs when possible to avoid added hormones.

#10 Drink water

If you drink water, you can actually help prevent your body from retaining water and avoid painful bloating. Aim to consume warm or hot water, which is better for cramps.

That's because hot liquid increases blood flow and may help relax cramped muscles. You can also eat foods that are water based including celery, lettuce, watermelon or cucumbers.

#11 Apply Heat

Staying warm and toasty during my period is the most important thing to keep my mood from dropping to below zero and loosening up cramps. A hot water bottle is nice, but a cherry stone pillow is nicer. The stones in the cherry stone pillow act like a little massager on the stomach, increasing blood flow hence decreasing cramps.

#12 Eat More Greens

Dark leafy greens are a dietary source of magnesium, calcium, and countless other micronutrients. These nutrients are essential for mediating muscle contractions. In Chinese dietary therapy, dark green vegetables are also considered to be mildly cleansing, which is what the body needs in a “stagnation” condition. Some greens such as dandelion greens (very bitter, but very helpful) also have a mild diuretic effect, which reduces bloating.

#13 Make sure you're getting enough vitamin D

Prevention is always better than the cure, which is why making sure your body has enough vitamin D is important in preventing menstrual cramps. A study found that high doses of vitamin D3 led to a significant decrease in menstrual cramps.

#14 Taking over-the-counter medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the primary over-the-counter form of pain relief recommended for menstrual pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). These drugs help lower your body’s production of prostaglandin. NSAIDs aren’t as effective as oral contraception, but they can help reduce pain.

#15 Have an orgasm

This is of the more unconventional options to relieve period pain. But it is definitely effective, since it can help relieve all kinds of pains, including menstrual cramps.

"Before an orgasm, the uterus is more relaxed, and at the moment of climax, blood flow increases, helping to relieve the cramps," According to Doters .

According to a study conducted by sexologist Beverly Whipple, professor at Rutgers University, orgasms relieve the pain through the release of endorphins, which help you feel better, instantly. They also help relax your whole body and induce sleep so you won't feel any cramping at all.

#16 Parsley

Parsley is also very effective in getting relief from menstrual pain. Parsley also regulates irregular menstrual cycle. A juice made from parsley can be taken twice a day during periods to prevent excessive menstrual pain. Parsley tea can alternative be used during periods.

#17 Cinnamon

A lot of people like cinnamon especially if it is going to be placed in pastries but there are some people who like cinnamon because of what it can do to women who have their period. Cinnamon has anti clotting and also anti inflammatory properties that can make women more comfortable even during their period. It is also a good thing that cinnamon comes with a lot of essential nutrients.

#18 Coriander seeds

Coriander seeds have vital anti inflammatory and other useful properties that makes it very effective in reducing menstrual pain and correcting irregular menstrual cycle.

A handful of seeds should be boiled in water till very little water remains and this should then be strained and this can be taken twice daily and can be taken when warm for better results.

#19 Carrots

Carrots are known to be good for the eyes. In fact, people who would like to keep their eye sight intake include carrots as a part of their diet. Most people are not aware that carrots can also be good for menstrual periods. It can aid women so that their menstrual flow will become more regular. As a result, cramps will be lessened.

#20 High Antioxidant Foods

Eat food items rich in antioxidants since these are proven to control the menstrual pains in an effective manner. Some such food items that are rich in anti oxidants are Prunes, Raspberries, Cloves, Strawberries, Cranberries, Walnuts, Blueberries, Pinto Beans, Blackberries and Small red beans. Antioxidants provides relief from menstrual pain by entering into the blood stream.