Behold, five totally natural remedies for menstrual cramps can turn your day around and make your period less of an interference so you can, you know, have a life.
It’s that time of month. Oh, yes – that time of month. As menstruation makes its inevitable appearance, for some that means throbbing, cramping and even debilitating pains. Instead of calling it a draw, popping a Midol and curling up into fetal position until your ovaries chill out, why not take the less toxic route? No, I’m not talking about letting the pain own you – I’m talking about fighting it with natural ingredients that your body can recognize and embrace without the chemical load. Natural remedies for menstrual cramps go beyond the list provided, but this is a great start to getting past the pain.
When you have your period, hormone-like substances called prostaglandins are released and jumpstart uterine muscle contractions, leading to pain and inflammation. To all ladies out there: no bueno. Luckily, you’re not alone, and enough experience has been had to pass on the wisdom.
The following natural remedies for menstrual cramps are easily accessible (if not fun), cheap (if not free) and effective (if not the problem solver!). Try one or a combination of two or three (if not all five) and see what seals the deal and keeps your cramps at bay.
5 Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
1. Work it out
The last thing you may want to do when you have period cramps is hop onto the elliptical and hate your exercise regimen even more than usual. Unless your cramps have you bed ridden and virtually paralyzed from pain, try moving around to ease the pain. This doesn’t mean engaging in a hardcore workout – it means going on a brisk walk or stretching and moving enough to get your blood pumping. Exercise will help to release endorphins to offset the prostaglandins and thus reduce cramps.
2. Drink tea
Chamomile tea, that is. In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers found that chamomile tea had compounds that relieve menstrual cramps. Drinking chamomile tea regularly provides the body with the compounds hippurate and glycine, which fight bacteria and relieve muscle spasms, respectively.
3. Heat it up
Relax your uterine muscles by applying heat to the area. The heat soothes the area and increases circulation. Go to a pharmacy and purchase a heating pad. You’ll be happy you did it. Trust me.
4. Get in the D
Vitamin D, ladies. Vitamin D decreases the production of prostaglandins and cytokines, which promote inflammation in the body. Researchers revealed that women who took a high mega-dose of vitamin D3 exhibited a significant reduction in menstrual cramp pain compared to those who did not.
5. Have an orgasm
It may not be the most ideal time of the month to orgasm, but it will do you some good. Orgasms relieve menstrual cramps by calming the uterus. When you climax, blood flow increases, releasing endorphins and easing pain. You’ll feel better in more ways than one, so why not try it out?
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Cramps image via Shutterstock