How to Naturally Relieve Menstrual Cramps at Home
by Dr. Chris Oswald on Apr 06, 2021
There's nothing more frustrating than stabbing pains in your abdomen when you're just trying to get through your day. You may even have to call out of work and lay on your bed until they show mercy. It's common to feel cramps/pain not only in your abdomen, but also your lower back and thighs. Other symptoms may include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, or even vomiting.
Where are these cramps even coming from? When a woman is on her period, the muscles of her womb are hard at work contracting and relaxing to clean out built-up lining. When the muscles are doing their job, unfortunately, cramps may occur.
The most common solution we learn growing up is to just take an OTC pain reliever like Advil, Tylenol or Motrin. These drugs can have harmful effects on your body like liver damage, stomach ulcers, and reducing the effects of antidepressants.
Have no fear!! Here are 4 effective ways to relieve your menstrual pain, naturally.
Apply Heat
Applying heat with a heating pad, hot water bottle, hot towel, or even a hot bath, may relieve your aches and pains.
You may have to lay down for this remedy, so this is a great option if you work from home or happen to be home when the cramps strike.
A 2012 study focused on 147 women 18 to 30 years old who had regular menstrual cycles found that a heat patch at 104°F (40°C) was as effective as ibuprofen (Healthline).
Exercise
If you're able to, going for a quick jog/walk or getting any sort of cardio in will help to release endorphins and block your pain receptors in your brain.
If you decide to engage in any exercise that requires jumping/running, we suggest you wear an extra supportive bra to avoid sore breasts distracting you during your workout.
If cardio is off the table, yoga is a great alternative. Here is a 20-minute guided yoga session specifically for cramping and PMS.
Remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout.
Apply MuscleCare
Great news! We now have an Extra-Strength Roll-on specifically designed for women. It's safe and effective to use for menstrual cramps, aches, and pains, as well as when pregnant/nursing.
Because your muscles are contracting during menstrual cramps, they need help relaxing. MuscleCare uses Myodrive Technology to push magnesium through the skin and into the muscles to break up any tension, resulting in the pain being pushed out.
Not only will MuscleCare relieve pain within minutes and last hours, but it's free of drugs, parabens and dyes (harsh chemicals). This means it's not just a short-term solution - when compared to the other topical pain-relief brands, it's the better choice for your health in the long-run.
Nourish Your Body Correctly
To prevent menstrual pain, it's important to stay away from processed foods, and instead, choose a high-fiber diet with fruits/vegetables.
Some foods you should include:
- Chicken, fish, leafy greens (contain iron, which you lose during your period)
- Walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds (contain manganese, eases cramps)
- Brown rice (contain vitamin B-6, may reduce bloating)
- Avocados, peanut butter, prunes, chickpeas, bananas (contain boron, helps reduce cramps)
- Dairy products (contain calcium, which reduces cramping)
This blog post was brought to you by MuscleCare's brand new Women's Line. MuscleCare is effective & safe for women who are experiencing pain during pregnancy, nursing, and menstrual cycles.
