Menstrual Cramps 101: Soothing Period Pains

Dandelion Greens & Roots Elixir 

What can I do about period cramps? 

Now for some remedies! Most people know that painkillers or switching to hormonal birth control can lessen period symptoms for some people, and can be helpful. But if you’d rather start by making lifestyle changes and trying some at-home coping strategies, here are a few: 

• Exercise regularly: Sitting on the sofa all day is fine too, but you will likely find that some light physical activity can ease menstrual cramps. Try a long walk or gentle jog. If you’re feeling up to it though, don’t be afraid to work out - there’s no reason you can’t work out as normal if you don’t overexert yourself.  
• Heat it up: Heat tends to help make menstrual cramps feel better. Soak in a warm bath, or use a hot water bottle on your abdomen to soothe the pain. 
• Try dietary supplements: Studies suggest vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium supplements and more, could reduce cramps.
• Reduce stress: Easier said than done! Emotional/psychological stress can increase the severity of menstrual cramps, so do what you can to relax, unwind and de-stress. 
• Move and massage: A little yoga can go a long way.  Some people also find comfort in massaging the abdomen lightly, or other therapies like reflexology. 
• Change your diet: All that junk food that makes you feel better mentally in the short term, isn’t helping you physically. Avoid foods that may upset your stomach alongside cramps, like spicy foods, caffeine-rich drinks, lactose, greasy foods, salt, alcohol, and more. Instead, try mint or ginger tea and drink lots of water to feel better.  
• Have sex: Or masturbate. Studies actually show that having an orgasm can help offer some relief for period pain and cramps. Oh go on then...
• Quit smoking: Research suggests that those who smoke more could be at risk of worse period cramps, so try cutting back to feel the benefits each month. 

How do I find out what helps me?

Good question! With so many different symptoms, intensities and durations of periods, plus the fact that everyone experiences different levels of pain, not all of the above advice will work for you. Figuring out your own personal cycle is the key to discovering what your body responds to long term, and the best way to do this is often a period tracker or period diary. 

Start noting down your symptoms each day to find out when your cramps are at their worst, then implement some of the changes above and record the ones that seem to be working, as well as those that don’t. Eventually you will start to see patterns emerge, and when you find a solution that positively affects your cramps, you can proactively use this as a method of pain management going forward.

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