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Menstrual cramps are one of the most chronic pains a woman suffers. Lasting anywhere from
3 to 5 full days during your period, cramps can be slight or so severe that you are left in a
fetal position in agony.
Since girls and women have been menstruating since the beginning of time and way before
the invention of modern medicine, women have found many natural cures and remedies for
menstrual cramps over the centuries. Read more about menstrual cramps.
Here are 10 tried-and-true remedies for menstrual cramps:
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Heat. Take a warm bath. The warmth will relax you and help to relieve menstrual cramps. You can also use an old-fashioned hot water bottle or a heat pad at night to keep your abdomen warm. |
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Bananas. All cramps, including menstrual cramps, are worsened when you have Vitamin K deficiency. Eat a banana a day to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin K and relieve menstrual cramps. |
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Aloe gel and Black pepper. This is an ancient remedy used by Indians in South America. Take 3 to 4 teaspoons a day. |
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Black Cohosh. You can find this is a natural food store. This is an herb which has been used for centuries to treat for menstrual and menopausal symptoms. A 2005 clinical trial of 304 women found that black cohosh significantly reduces the severity of menstrual cramps.
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Raspberry tea. There are several teas which are particularly effective in treating menstrual cramps and PMS. Raspberry tea is one of the best. Raspberry tea contains a compound called pycnogenol, which reduces uterine contractions. Researchers speculate that this is how raspberry tea helps menstrual cramps. |
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Ginger. Ginger, used in teas or just eaten directly with sushi, can help to relieve menstrual cramps and PMS. |
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Primrose Oil. If you suffer from PMS, chances are that your body lacks an essential acid called GLA (gamma-lineolic acid). In your body, GLA is converted into a hormone-like compound called prostoglandins, which reduce inflammation and muscle contractions. Primrose oil has been used in Europe for decades to treat symptoms of PMS (bloating, tender breasts) and menstrual cramps. |
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Exercise. Researchers have found that women who exercise regularly have less severe PMS and menstrual cramps. Do cardiovascular exercise at least 4 times a week. Walking, playing soccer, basketball, tennis, skating, dancing - anything that makes you sweat. |
Just to complete the picture, here are 2 medications that have also proved effective at helping
menstrual cramps:
| Midol. This is the most popular over the counter remedy for menstrual cramps. |
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| Anaprox. Some girls and women suffer cramps so severe that Midol and over-the-counter medications don't work. Anaprox does help many of these women. See your gynecologist about the suitability of a prescription. |
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Finally, some uterine cramps have nothing to do with your period. Cramping is caused by
electrolyte imbalances and hormones. Sexual intercourse triggers the release of hormones,
some of which some from male semen. For example, prostaglandins in sperm released
during sex encourage uterine contractions to move sperm along up into the uterus.
Contractions cause cramps. So, yes, men can give women cramps.
(By Amanda Gillespie, 2008)
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