Period pain, medically known as dysmenorrhea is a common condition. According to statistics, more than half of women who menstruate report some pain from period cramps each month. Though cramps are not usually a sign of a serious health condition, they could be. And they undoubtedly put a hold on your lifestyle, since you can’t go about your business normally. To help reduce period pain, here are 7 safe and effective home remedies for menstrual cramp relief:
1. Try some Yoga poses to ease menstrual pains
Whether it’s the stretching of your muscles or the relaxing effect of the poses, a regular yoga practice can indeed help your cramps. You can practice during your period or between them, but some instructors advise women against doing inverted poses (like a shoulder stand) in the midst of menstruation, so as not to interfere with your natural flow.
2. Some herbal tea can calm menstrual cramps
Certain teas may help relieve menstrual cramps. Research on herbal teas for menstrual pain relief is scarce, but teas have been used by menstruating women in numerous cultures for centuries. Chamomile and peppermint teas are often recommended for menstrual pain because they are calming to the body. Other teas associated with dysmenorrhea are those made from cramp bark, ginger, or fennel.
3. Add magnesium to your diet
Dietary magnesium seems to help ease the pain of cramps. Magnesium is found in many foods, including almonds, black beans, spinach, yoghurt, and peanut butter. Before taking any magnesium supplement, you should speak with your doctor, since the dose you need depends on the severity of your cramps along with other factors.
4. Massage the body with essential oil for pain relief
Massaging your skin with certain aromatic essential oils can relieve menstrual cramp pain, according to research published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. Some oils thought to be helpful include lavender essential oil, clary sage essential oil, and marjoram essential oil. Ensure you are using essential oils safely. Buy high-quality oils that are tested for purity. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy suggests diluting pure essential oils in an unscented cream, lotion, or carrier oil before placing it on your skin to avoid irritation.
5. Improve your diet to alleviate period cramps
Dieticians advise swapping out less healthy fats like the saturated fats found in animal products for healthier ones like unsaturated fats found in olive oil. Overall, try to make the fats you eat better quality, such as those found in fish or nuts.