woman holding her belly due to painful period

Your Menstrual Cycle: 6 Ways to Manage Painful Periods

2022-10-31T08:00:45+00:00

By Rody

Have you ever seen a woman who has to visit the hospital each time she’s menstruating? Or one that just has to halt all her plans due to the condition she’s been presented with?This pain can be excruciating, and has become a common reality for many women.It usually occurs in the stomach, back, or thighs. It causes some women to feel irritated and bloated, as well as causing period diarrhoea, mood swings, headaches and breast tenderness, amongst other feelings peculiar to each woman.Painful periods occur as a result of contraction that happens in the uterus. Scientists say that these uterine contractions are triggered by prostaglandins.While it is normal to experience these pain episodes as a woman, sometimes painful periods are abnormal, and can be a result of underlying health conditions.However, there are ways to manage the usual ones we get when they do come so as to feel better during those months:

Use heat pads: Heat pads are life savers when it comes to relieving moderate to mild period pain. Placing it in your tummy, or any other pain area usually gives instant relief and reduces tension that makes you want to sleep immediately.

Take painkillers: There are lots of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can be used to manage period pain. OTCs like ibuprofen and felvin are commonly used to reduce the pain.

Increase water intake: You might find this tip in every kind of advice on healthcare you’ve come across, which shows how important it is. Drinking water for period cramps helps to reduce the bloating, makes you feel lighter, and – in the case of period diarrhoea – just makes you feel better. Hot water especially can help increase proper blood flow and offer body relaxation.

Avoid overindulging in junk food: A lot of women say their cravings increase at certain stages of the menstrual cycle, which is true in most cases due to increased hormonal activity. But indulging in sugary products may cause more inflammation and make the pain worse, which is why it is best to avoid it as much as possible. Opt for fruits instead.

Massage: Gentle rubs on period pain areas just give instant relief and help with circulation that would relieve cramping and aid proper flow. This also helps to generally relieve stress.

Drink herbal teas: Herbal teas offer a detoxifying effect. They release toxins, give a calming effect to your cramping, help with your bloating and period diarrhoea, and also help relieve headaches and stress that come with menstrual cramps. Herbal teas like ginger, chamomile and peppermint offer these benefits.

It is important to understand your body and know your menstrual cycle properly – that is, your ovulation period, your usual symptoms, and your flow. This enables you to know when to contact your doctor in case of any irregularities. Rodiat Ajuwon is a human capital development enthusiast.