How To Calm Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps appear when our hormones are out of balance. To avoid them we must improve our diet and our habits. Include exercise in your daily routine and try to get adequate sleep

If you have never suffered from menstrual cramps, you are really lucky. Some of my most vivid memories relate to menstrual cramps pain . Therefore, below I will talk about the remedies that have helped me to calm them easily. Just remember to talk to your gynecologist if these are very regular and painful. Sometimes they can be the symptom of a more serious problem.

About premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps

It refers to a wide range of symptoms that begin during the second half of the cycle . These include:

• Headache.
• Dizziness
• Cramps
• Irritability.
• Abdominal swelling
• Tender breasts
• Sickness.
• Vomiting
• Food cravings
• Weight gain.
• Depression.
• Fatigue.

These symptoms generally occur before menstruation begins and gradually disappear. Instead, menstrual cramps can occur throughout the period.

Although there are many factors that can influence, hormones are of great importance to define if you will have more or less menstrual cramps . Changes in estrogens and progesterone (the hormones produced by the ovaries) control a woman’s cycle. There are even theories that these hormones can interact with certain chemicals in the brain to create other symptoms.

Keep in mind that if these hormones are balanced, it is possible to have little or no discomfort. The problem occurs when they are not properly adjusted . This may be due to diet, exercise, and your general habits. The following methods can be of great help if you have to tolerate very painful or uncomfortable menstrual cramps each month.

Avoid polyunsaturated fats in large amounts

The body needs fat to rebuild cells and make hormones , but it can only use what you give it. By consuming a high concentration of polyunsaturated fats, you force the body to use them. The problem is that polyunsaturated fats are unstable and oxidize easily . These oxidized fats cause inflammation and mutation in cells.

In addition, it may happen that when they are incorporated into cells in reproductive tissue, they eventually cause endometriosis. This is one of the main causes of menstrual cramps.

The fats to avoid are some vegetables, such as canola or soybean oil, as well as margarine. However, you can consume the following recommended fats :

• Peanut oil.
• Butter.
• Olive oil.
• Fish rich in Omega-3.

Avoid foods that inflame

There are foods, such as some grains and oils, that can inflame the body and can increase hormonal problems. How these products affect you depends on your body. However, those who eat a grain-free diet have been found to have less menstrual cramps.

It is best to consume:

• Homemade broths with vegetables.
• Soups
• Meats.
• Healthy fats.

Finally, vitamin B1 or magnesium supplements may be very helpful, as they can reduce colic, inflammation, and other symptoms of PMS. In fact, you can include in your diet some foods rich in these vitamins, for example:

Foods rich in vitamin B1:

• Nuts like pistachios, hazelnuts, and peanuts.
• White beans and chickpeas.
• Lupins.
• Oatmeal.

Foods rich in Magnesium:

• Spinach.
• Almonds
• Quinoa.
• Tofu
• Avocado.
• Dark chocolate.
• Black beans
• Whole wheat.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is vital to balancing your hormones . It will help you extend your life, reach your ideal weight and reduce menstrual cramps. If you have trouble sleeping, try a light dinner, take half an hour to meditate, do some activity that relaxes you, or drink a warm tea.

Include exercise in your life

If you have a hormonal imbalance, light physical activity can go a long way. The best exercises are walking and swimming for the days when you have your menstrual period . However, strenuous exercise could exacerbate the problem. In addition, exercise evens out other aspects such as blood glucose, which can also aggravate menstrual cramps.

Take an infusion

A tea or infusion can be enough to calm menstrual cramps . You can choose the one you like the most and accompany it with a little honey. Among the most consumed options is tea, which offers a multitude of varieties to soothe these pains. Among the most efficient are ginger, anise and green tea.

However, there are other varieties of very effective teas as well, such as lavender, basil, mugwort or even calendula tea. Just as the intake of hot drinks can help you, it is important to know that applying heat to the lower part of the belly can calm the pain. It can be a hot bath or a heating pad, but it will probably soothe you for a bit.

Take ibuprofen

Many doctors recommend taking a dose of ibuprofen the day before your menstrual period starts. This medicine can help relieve stress in the pelvic area and allow you to go through those days with less discomfort . If your problem is excessive tension in the area, this will prevent colic throughout the period.

Despite having followed these recommendations, if the discomfort continues, I recommend you go to your regular doctor. Remember that menstrual cramps may be alerting us to a more serious problem. You must be attentive to any changes that occur, especially if there is an increase in discomfort.