Every woman is more or less faces with pain before or during menstruation. In order not to suffer from pain, you need to take action in time. We have compiled for you the most effective ways to get rid of pain during menstruation.
Causes Of Menstrual Pain
In most cases, menstrual pain is explained quite simply. If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium (uterine mucosa) is torn away from the walls of the uterus, while prostaglandins are released, which contributes to a better exit of the uterine mucosa to the outside.
If there are many prostaglandins, the muscles contract more actively, which causes menstrual pain.
Specialists for painful periods have their name – dysmenorrhea (previously it was called Algodismenorea). Also, doctors divide it into primary and secondary.
Primary dysmenorrhea is characteristic of young girls and women (aged about 14 to 25 years) and is characterized by the contractile activity of the uterus. In addition to the particular lower abdominal pains, symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea may include nausea, headaches, and upset stools.
Usually, they appear a day before and a couple of days after the onset of menstruation. Dysmenorrhea is successfully treated and, if painful menstruation is disturbing, it is better to see a doctor who will prescribe treatment.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is usually associated with cellular changes in the pelvic organs (for example, endometriosis, chronic inflammatory processes with the formation of adhesions). In this case, only your attending gynaecologist can choose the right treatment.
The Causes Of Menstrual Pain Not Related To Diseases Of The Female Reproductive System Include:
- Intrauterine device
- Lack of physical activity
- Deficiency of magnesium and calcium in the body
- Malnutrition
- Stress and lack of sleep
- Low pain threshold
How To Get Rid Of Menstrual Pain
If the pain before or during menstruation quickly disappears and does not cause you any particular inconvenience, you practically do not pay attention to the onset of menstruation and lead a simple lifestyle.
Then you only need to take care of yourself, avoiding excessive physical exertion these days. But if the first day of your period turns into a real nightmare for you, it’s worth taking action.
How to reduce pain during menstruation
Painkillers
The easiest and most popular way is to take a pill that relieves pain and cramping. Just be sure to consult your doctor about which drug is right for you. But do not turn painkillers into a habit. If you can’t live without pills every month and take them several times a day, this is an alarm bell, which means that you need to see a doctor immediately.
Oral Contraceptives
Birth control pills include hormones that suppress ovulation. No ovulation – no painful menstruation. Among other things, they will save you from the manifestations of PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
But keep in mind that you need to select such tablets individually, and only your gynaecologist can do this according to the results of examinations and analyzes.
Physical Exercise
Some women mistakenly believe that during menstruation, sports are contraindicated, although, in reality, the opposite is exact. Exercising provides good blood circulation in the muscles and makes them more elastic.
The uterus consists of several types of tissues, so regular exercise and proper constant stretching make it much easier to tolerate the pain during menstruation caused by uterine contractions.
So if you do not have any special prescriptions from doctors, try to do light exercises:
- Stand straight, put your feet shoulder-width apart and do 15–20 regular squats. Keep your weight on your heels and keep your back straight.
- Sit in Turkish and start slowly bringing down and raising your knees. Repeat 15–20 times.
- Get on all fours, bend in the back like a cat, and then return to the starting position. Repeat 15–20 times.
But here it is better to refuse serious power loads in the first days of menstruation.
Swimming
Swimming should be highlighted separately. It is the safest and least traumatic sport to relieve pain. It helps to relax muscles and relieve tension. Just do not forget to use a swab during swimming, and immediately after the pool – change it.
Tampax swabs are ideal for this. Their plastic Compak applicator fits comfortably in your hand, so you can quickly go unnoticed by others and improve your swab.
Vitamin intake
Vitamin B6 and magnesium are friends and primary helpers of a woman suffering from menstrual cramps. Taking these vitamins and minerals will help reduce discomfort. Also, today for women, many vitamin complexes can facilitate the flow of menstruation. But picking them up is best with your doctor.
Heat
Take a warm, comfortable shower or place a heated (!) Heating pad on your lower abdomen to relieve pain. And if there is no special heating pad, you can pour warm water into a regular plastic bottle. This method is best suited to relieve menstrual pain at bedtime since, after a shower, it is best to go to a warm bed immediately.
Herbal Teas, Decoctions And Infusions
Tea with chamomile or mint also helps to relax abdominal muscles and reduce menstrual pain. Herbal infusions such as nettles, horsetail, wild strawberries and calendula are also well suited.
Embryo Pose
Lie down, or rather sleep a little in the fetal position. To do this, lie on the floor and pull your legs to your stomach. This posture will help to relax and reduce pain.
Balanced Diet
On the eve and during menstruation, doctors recommend reducing the consumption of coffee, strong tea, as well as roasted and spicy. But calcium-rich foods should be eaten more actively.
Include more cottage cheese, milk porridge, fish, cheese and bananas in your diet. By the way, bananas, among other things, also help to improve the mood, which in the first days of menstruation will not hurt.
Massage The Abdomen And Lower Back
Lumbar massage will help relieve cramping and soothe the pain. Ideally, a loved one should do it for you. But if at the right moment such a person is not nearby, you can make him yourself.
Put in two bags or socks on the tennis ball and lie on their lower back (balls should be on both sides of the spine at the level of the lower ribs). Gently ride the balls, massaging the muscles.
Massaging the abdomen will help reduce tension in the abdominal area. To do this, press your stomach with a warm hand in a circular motion clockwise.
Prevention Of Pain During Menstruation
So that menstrual pain does not cause you any inconvenience:
- Lead an active lifestyle and exercise. According to statistics, athletes are much less likely to complain of pain during menstruation. Moreover, the sport can be anything – from yoga, Pilates and swimming to martial arts and dance.
- More in the fresh air and get enough sleep.
- Include in your diet foods rich in calcium (cottage cheese, cheese, seafood) and magnesium (buckwheat, parsley, spinach, dark chocolate).
- Try to eat less spicy and fried and do not drink coffee and strong tea.
- Give up bad habits.
- Do not overcook, avoid stressful situations.
Visit your gynaecologist once every six months, even if nothing bothers you. Any disease is much easier to prevent than to cure. Not to mention the fact that many processes in the female body can be asymptomatic for a long time.
In some cases, you should immediately consult a doctor:
- The pain is so severe that you have to take sick leave and not get out of bed all day.
- The pain lasts more than two days.
- Menstrual pains began to torment you recently, although before menstruation went painlessly.
- Monthly periods become more abundant than usual or last much longer.
- You are taking oral contraceptives, and severe pain still bothers you.
- Pain medications do not help you.
In all these cases, do not self-medicate or heroically endure discomfort. It is best to go the gynaecologist as soon as possible to establish & eliminate the cause of these symptoms and quickly return to your usual way of life.
Be healthy!
Share your comments about your secrets to getting rid of your menstrual pain.
