12 Ways to Avoid Period Cramps and Survive That Time of the Month

We, ladies, are so different, but there’s one thing that unites us. Yes, period cramps. You can hardly find a woman who hasn’t experienced them at least once in her life, and most of us experience them regularly. Every month, millions of women around the world wish to change bodies with men so as not to experience this pain — or at least have a treatment that can help them stand straight. Hold on, ladies!

Bright Side has found 13 ways to help you fight those lady pains and easily survive this time of the month. Check them out!

1. Apply heat.

A scientist from University College London proved that a temperature of 40°C (104°F) helps you get rid of period cramps. Dr. King, who led the research, said that they’re caused by a reduced blood flow to your organs, which results in tissue damage.

The most amazing thing is that heat works the same way as drugs, blocking pain receptors called P2X3. So go grab a hot water bottle or a heating patch, put it on your stomach, and feel the enjoyable warmth killing your pain. By the way, if you have a cat, your period is the purrfect time to get a portion of warm hugs.

2. Have a warm bath.

As mentioned above, heat helps relieve period pain. Besides, a bath is also a great way to relax both physically and mentally. Fill a tub with hot water, add some bath salts (lavender will deal with stress just fine), pour in 2-3 tablespoons of ground ginger, turn on your favorite music, make yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy!

To make the effect better, add several drops of essential oils:

• Lavender and clary sage relieve pain and help you to relax.
• Cinnamon and eucalyptus reduce inflammations.
• Rose helps normalize your menstrual cycle and calms you down.
• Chamomile and ylang-ylang relax muscles and decrease irritability.

3. Massage your abdomen with essential oils.

Studies prove that a massage with essential oils can relieve lady pains. So here are several massage techniques to help you survive these days:

• Place your palms on the center of your abdomen, and start drawing large circles, pressing slightly. Do this 30 times.
• Place the middle and index fingers of both hands right over your navel, pressing on your abdomen. Draw a heart, moving up, sideways, and down, finishing the shape under your belly button. Then move your fingers up again. Repeat 20-30 times.
• Place your hands on your back under your ribs. Start moving your hands down, applying pressure, until you reach your tailbone. Repeat about 30 times.
• Rub the lower part of your belly with both hands approximately 30 times.
• Knead your belly with your knuckles for about 30 seconds.

To make the effect better and the process more enjoyable, try some of the essential oils we recommended above. Or you can prepare a mixture of lavender, clary sage, and marjoram (2:1:1 ratio).

4. Drink herbal tea.

Herbal tea is something people have been drinking for centuries, relying on the healing properties of herbs. Though using tea to relieve pain may seem weird to some, scientists have proved the benefits of chamomile tea in curing such things as period cramps. It contains glycine, which relieves muscle spasms, thus relaxing the uterus. Moreover, the effect of tea is cumulative and can last for up to 2 weeks.

Turmeric tea has also been proved to help with cramps due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also removes spasms, calms you down, and reduces bloating. So here’s the recipe for this exotic tea:

• 24 g (0.8 oz) grated turmeric root

• 13 g (0.45 oz) grated ginger root

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

• Several pieces of ground black pepper

• 80 g (2.8 oz) honey

• Juice of half a lemon

Mix the ingredients in a jar, and stir thoroughly. Store in the fridge. To make the tea, take 1 teaspoon of the mixture, and mix with 170-230 ml (6-8 oz) of boiling water. Add some more pepper.

5. Sleep well.

We all know that sleep is important for our health, but falling asleep during your period can be a real struggle. You know — all those cramps, headaches, and mood swings. Your favorite pillow suddenly becomes uncomfortable, and your mattress rebels against you... Then in the morning, you feel swollen and sleepy and get mad at any trifle.

To make your life a little bit better, we’ve got some advice for sound sleep. Experts recommend sleeping in the fetal position as it relaxes the muscles around your belly and reduces pain. Moreover, as your legs are squeezed, there are fewer chances of a leak. Great!

6. Hydrate yourself.

As weird as it may sound, drinking more water prevents fluid retention in your body. This will ease or even help you avoid swelling and bloating. To make the effect better, you can try drinking warm or hot water instead of cool. It will eliminate the pain by relaxing your muscles.

If you’re not a fan of drinking water, try eating fruits and vegetables. For example, cucumbers, lettuce, watermelons, peaches, and various berries. They’re rich in water (about 90-96% per volume) and obviously taste good.

7. Eat spices and herbs.

Spices are part of our everyday life, but we don’t know their true value. Scientists have conducted some studies, the results of which can help us cope with lady pains. Here’s what you can use to make these days a little more pleasant:

• Fennel seeds. A study has shown that fennel seeds can actually fight cramps. They’re no less effective than medications, and they ease pain within an hour. The drawback is that they cause more severe bleeding, so you’d better not take them in the evening.
• Ginger, on the contrary, reduces bleeding. It can improve your mood and make physical symptoms less pronounced.
• Cinnamon can relieve pain, make you lose less blood, and help you get rid of nausea.

8. Don’t forget about vitamins and minerals.

Another way to relieve menstrual cramps is to take vitamins and minerals. Experts recommend:

• Calcium to maintain muscle tone. Scientists recommend taking 1,000 mg/day to ease cramps. You can add calcium-rich foods to your daily menu — broccoli, almonds, yogurt, and milk.
• Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and can also reduce inflammation.
• Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, help to reduce inflammation. But you should be careful as it may increase bleeding.
• Magnesium lowers the levels of prostaglandin, a substance that increases your pain perception. But people with heart diseases are recommended to consult their doctor first.
• Vitamin E helps to fight cramps, but people with diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer should be careful with it.

9. Exercise.

Some women think that working out during their period is harmful. However, exercise is known to raise the level of endorphins in your body, which dull the pain, improve your mood, and accelerate prostaglandin burning.

To achieve the desired result, try a regular workout 3 times a week for at least 15 minutes. Experts say that walking, cycling, yoga, and skating are considered to be the best. In addition, they will make you fit, strong, and give you a healthier heart.

10. Refuse some foods for a while.

While some foods and additives are healthy and can make you feel better during these days, there are also things you’d better avoid. For example, caffeine. For someone who’s used to a daily morning dose, it may sound like a disaster. But hold on! Caffeine worsens the symptoms of PMS, including bloating, mood swings, aches, and cramps. It raises your levels of anxiety and can even make your menstrual cycle irregular.

It’s also better to avoid foods and drinks that cause bloating and water retention: fatty and salty foods (yes, including your favorite burgers), alcohol, chocolate, and all types of carbonated drinks.

11. Give yourself an acupressure massage.

Acupressure is a method almost as old as time. It’s been used for centuries and proved its effectiveness not only for pain relief but also as a treatment for various conditions. So if you’re not that lucky one who suffers no pain during her period, you might give it a try. Here are some points to press to normalize periods and relieve cramps and PMS symptoms:

• First of all, Sea of Energy, which is located 2 fingers below your belly button, and Gate Origin, which is 2 fingers lower.
• Then Mansion Cottage and Rushing Door, which are located next to each other in your pelvic area, in the middle of the creases where your legs are attached to your trunk.
• The next group of points is called Sacral and are situated on your lower back, right over the coccyx.
• Womb and Vitals can be found right outside your sacrum (the area where the previous points are located), halfway between the base of your buttocks and your hipbone.
• Three Ying Crossing point is on your leg, 4 fingers above your ankle.
• And the last point, called Grandfather Grandson, is on the upper arch of your foot, a finger-width from the ball.

By the way, when talking about alternative types of massage, chiropractic can also help you ease the pain.

12. If none of this helps, take pills.

Birth control pills will do. They reduce the levels of prostaglandins that make cramps worse, thus relieving pain. Yet if you’re not planning to take them regularly, this method won’t work.

Another option is regular over-the-counter medication. For example, NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can help you relieve pain by blocking cyclooxygenase. This reduces the production of prostaglandins, substances that make you more sensitive to pain.

However, you should remember that these are drugs, and it’s better to avoid using them if you have another way out. And, of course, it’s always better to consult a doctor before taking any pills or supplements.

Finally, listen to your body.

Your body knows best. We’re all different, and, unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment against cramps. So if you don’t want to increase your water intake or exercise, don’t. If you feel like killing someone for a cup of coffee, drink it. If you need a rest, cancel your meetings. Trust your instincts. After all, they’ve been saving us for centuries.

Do you know any other period pain-relieving tips? Have you tried any of the tips described above? Which one is your favorite? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments!