The onset of menstruation is the first stage of motherhood. The menstrual phase begins from the age of 9-10 and lasts up to the age of a maximum of 45-48.
Every month the uterine walls shed off the blood which is triggered by many female hormones. This aids the release of the ovum, a seed of the life cycle.
3 out of every 5 females suffer from pain, mood swings, anxiety, severe cramps, pelvic and spinal cord pain, dizziness, and headache. Many of them experience intolerable pain which hampers their lifestyle.
Here are few home remedies for menstrual cramp relief that you can follow:
- Using hot water bags
- Drinking Ginger Tea
- Drinking Chamomile Tea
- Drinking Fenugreek Water
- Massaging with Sesame Oil
- Massaging with Essential Oil
Now lets see each of these home remedies in details…
1. Hot water bags
Hot water bags are an immediate remedy for the pain caused during the few days of periods every month.
Putting a hot water bag on the lower abdomen at regular intervals will help you get some relief. This helps in relaxing the uterine muscles.
It works in the same way as hot water bags help us get relief from muscle pain in other parts of the body.
On relaxation of uterine muscles, the muscles help to shed blood and give us some relief from the strong abdominal pain.
2. Ginger tea
Ginger tea is one of the best and effective home remedies for menstrual cramp relief.
It has excellent anti-inflammatory and painkiller properties. This herb is very effective in relieving period cramps or pain.
Ginger inhibits the production of prostaglandins, which are hormones responsible for the contraction of uterine muscles and causing pain.
Intake of ginger as dietary supplements or consuming ginger tea can cause reduced cramps.
Prostaglandin secretion is linked with the onset of the menstrual cycle every month. Thus ginger is said to reduce pain severity during this time.
3. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea has anti-spasmodic properties which can reduce pain in your body. Spasmodic pain is caused due to the involuntary action of muscles.
This tea is helpful in reducing pain during menstrual cramps and relaxing the part of the body causing the pain.
Women are also associated with a greater level of anxiety, depression, and mood swings during these vital days.
Chamomile tea is also effective in controlling the serotonin and dopamine levels of the body which in turn controls anxiety and stress levels in the body.
It is also a natural sedative and helps you to get some sleep during the pain.
4. Fenugreek water
Fenugreek has various pain-relieving features which helps you to get rid of intolerable pain during the period days.
The seeds also help in the reduction of abdominal bloating by reducing weight during the menstruating days.
Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight and strain them in the morning. Drink the water in the morning to get rid of the pain.
If you have severe pain you can consume it three times a day during the first three days and reduce it to once a day during the last two days.
5. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil has been used since ayurvedic times for treating pain. Sesame oil has anti-inflammatory properties and linoleic acid which aids in reducing uterine pains.
It is also rich in antioxidants which induce relief by triggering blood flow. Apply the oil to the lower abdomen.
Massage the lower portion well for a while, so that you can get relaxation and it relieves your pelvic and lower abdomen region.
6. Essential oils
Massage your lower abdominal area with essential oils like Lavender and Peppermint oil can help you get relief from menstrual cramps.
You can add 2-3 drops of essential oil with a carrier oil. Essential has multiple positive effects and one of those is providing relief from menstrual cramps.
Add 2-3 drops of essential oil like lavender oil or peppermint oil to coconut oil. Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties which act as a pain reliever for muscular contractions.
Peppermint oil has a cooling and soothing effect and provides relaxation during the heavy flow and pain.
Apart from all these remedies, you can also do some yoga and mild exercises.
Try to avoid sugary, salt-based food, caffeine during these days as much as you can. If you face severe pain even after 4 days, you can consult a gynecologist for the same.
Do not take any medicine without the consent of a medical practitioner. This can lead to many side effects.
Remember, motherhood is a blessing and menstruating is the gateway to it. It is never a shame but always a matter of pride!!