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 

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“Only women bleed,” crones a 1970s ballad by Alice Cooper. To which we should say, “Yes. Yes we do.” Call it Aunt Flo, the red tide, the curse, or riding the crimson wave, your period is that time of the month when you’re dealing with cramps that pain and hormones that swing. Sure, maybe there are some women out there who enjoy this completely natural monthly event. If she’d like to identify herself, I’d like to her to show me where Santa Claus lives with the Easter Bunny, next door to the Tooth Fairy of course.

Yes, some sarcasm. Maybe I’m PMS-ing. Or maybe most of us think of our periods via John Hughes’ Sixteen Candles, when Ginny Baker spends most of the film cranky and then completely out of her mind (via painkillers) at her wedding. And all because of her period. Bad menstrual cramps are caused by the normal contraction of the uterus, the result of prostaglandins in the body.

So yes, Aunt Flo isn’t a welcome guest. But there are some easy ways to combat the crimson tide.

Walk it off. Some medical professionals suggest that those who exercise several times a week are less likely to experience bad cramps. Even a quick walk can help ease discomfort, as anything that releases endorphins will help you manage pain.

Hit the heating pad. Heat can help with inflammation and reduce the buildup of fluid in tissues. It also eases muscle spasms. Experts urge us to lie on our stomachs while applying the heat or in the most comfortable position possible.

Sleep. Need an excuse to nap? No time like the painful present. It will take your mind off the pain and let you get some much needed relaxation.

Take a hot bath. This will help you relax your abdomen muscles and, more importantly, soothe your mind. For extra effort, bring out the candles and the scented bath oil. Erbaviva makes a great blend with organic and wild-crafted essential oils.

Consider vitamins and supplements. As Dr. Woodson Merrell of Beth Israel Medical Center told ABC News, consider “taking Evening Primrose Oil in a 500-1000 mg dose once a day in capsule form (available at vitamin shops and health food stores) along with 200-400 mg of magnesium and 100-200 mg of vitamin B6 for four to seven days before the onset of your period.” Be sure to consult a medical professional if you are already on certain medications or experience severe periods.

Drink a cup of tea. Consider a cup of green tea. According to experts, green tea is high in phenolics, which can inhibit cramps. Don’t want the caffeine? Think about a cup of relaxing chamomile tea. Better yet, drink it while you’re in the bath.

Go have sex. Yes, sex on your period not everyone’s cup of tea. But an orgasm will release endorphins and oxytocin in the body that will block pain receptors. You will feel better. And remember, not everyone needs a partner to have an orgasm.

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