How to Reduce Period Pain

What is Period Pain?

Many of us are familiar with the pain that rises from the belly below during the menstrual flow every 28 days or sometimes after 30 days. Sometimes, periods get delayed by more than 30 days and make the woman’s health condition miserable with stress, pain in the lower abdomen, feelings of nausea, loss of appetite and variations in mood. Period pain may heighten during the peak of the menstrual flow and subside at the end of it.

The period pain should not be taken lightly which starts from the lower abdomen and spreads to her thighs. Premenstrual syndrome is the term used for it, and progesterone and estrogen fluctuations are the cause.

The issue of dysmenorrhea may be caused by other sources other than the uterine lining shedding.

What Are the Causes of Period Pain?

You may have been the only one in the family getting affected by menstrual cramps regularly. You may have had your first menstrual period very late in age. Or there may be other physiological factors. Consulting with the doctor would help you understand the reason behind menstrual cramps.

Some of the known conditions of menstrual cramps are:

Ovarian Cysts

Any woman will typically experience one tiny cyst that disappears on its own. However, if it spreads in large quantities within the ovary, it may weaken a woman’s ability to conceive by increasing insulin resistance. The illness known as polycystic ovarian syndrome causes irregular menstruation cycles, harmful abdominal fat accumulation, and facial hair development. However, each woman may experience PCOS symptoms differently.

Fibroids

Women tend to bleed heavily and suffer from extreme menstrual cramps if the fibroids rise in the lining of the uterus. Too big can cause pregnancy complications.  Chances of healthy and safe pregnancy may be rare for anyone suffering from uterine fibroids.. Treatment is urgently required for the woman who may have a family history of such disorder or got it through lifestyle disorder.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Women might feel inflammatory abdominal pain if the sexually transmitted infection spreads across the reproductive organ. Even surgery in the pelvic area can lead to infection and pain during the menstrual cycle.

Endometriosis

Normally, endometriosis grows inside the uterus but if it grows outside affecting the ovary and fallopian tubes. Female undergoes tremendous pain if it gets blocked inside the body. It struggles to come out of the body which makes the female suffer severely from excess bleeding, abdominal pain, inflammation and unrestfulness.

Adenomyosis

This condition is recognized by the endometrial tissue growing inside the muscular wall of the uterus. Thickening of the tissue causes pressure during the menstrual cycle and that makes the woman suffer painful periods.

Who is at Risk of Period Pain?

Conditions or symptoms of period pain may vary from one female to another. Getting aware of the risks can help in reaching out to the solutions faster through various treatment options.

Such Risks May Be:

Through Your Family Background

You may have inherited from your mother, maternal or paternal aunt or anyone closely related by blood.

Early Age

With the onset of the menstrual cycle among girls in the tender age of 12 or 13, the majority of them suffer from pain. But with the growing years, one can experience relief from it fully.

Uterine Contractions

As a female bleeds heavily during the menstrual cycle, she suffers from uterine contractions.

Increasing uterine contractions cause pressure for the excess blood to be removed from the body. And that’s how the female undergoes pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen or the pelvic area.

Mental Stress and Poor Eating Habits

Rising cortisol levels disrupt the mood of the female and make her undergo problems of anxiety, stress and depression. It may not let the estrogen and progesterone function normally and thus causing disruptions in the menstrual flow. A recent survey has also noted the increasing amounts of intake of coffee, tea, sugar, salt, oil and of course alcohol and different addictive substances can trigger intense uterine contractions. 

What Are the Different Types of Period Pain?

Period pain is not unknown to most women. However, the intensity of pain and conditions or causes may vary from one woman to another. As many women suffer from the state of dysmenorrhea, they might not be able to bear the pain in the abdomen, sit or stand and perform their daily chores of life. Sometimes, the pain may be mild and otherwise, it can simply take away peace of mind if the intensity of the abdominal pain increases.

Medical science has come across two different types of dysmenorrhea. It may be 

1. Primary Dysmenorrhea

It can arise in the body of both teenagers and adult females as the periodic menstrual flow starts. It may begin just before the onset also. One can suffer from bloating of the stomach, diarrhea and disruptions in the mood. But the pain disappears with the end of menstrual bleeding.

2. Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Unlike primary dysmenorrhea, pain is more in the woman who goes through the stage of secondary dysmenorrhea.. It occurs in the cause of any extra medical condition in the reproductive area much earlier before the menstrual bleeding and continues to bother post-menstrual bleeding with unbearable pain.

It may result from any serious reproductive disorder and you must go for an immediate check-up and start the treatment. The disorder may be either the development of fibroids in the uterus or the conditions of Endometriosis and Pelvic Inflammatory disease.

How is Period Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosis may be in the form of physical examination in the reproductive area or using any imaging device. A licensed and certified healthcare professional will be able to conduct the tests for period pain in the following ways:

Conducting Pelvic Examination

The medical expert will conclude about the signs and causes behind the period pain by checking the genital with gloved fingers and using the speculum.. He might verify further by extracting fluid from the vagina to determine the condition.

Imaging Techniques

Imaging techniques involve the use of digital image devices like ultrasound, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy to identify the abnormality in the uterus, ovary and related reproductive sections.

Treatment Options

Overview

Determining the mild to severe forms of period pain, one can choose either::

1. Self-care methods at home with heat or cold therapy, drinking herbal tea, and practicing the methods of relaxation with deep breathing and meditation exercises.
2. Using allopathic painkillers., acupressure and taking any hormone management pills.

Home Remedies

Herbal home remedies for period pain and menstrual cramps would include the application of cold and heat therapy on the lower abdominal area, massaging with any ayurvedic oil, and drinking enough water, hot water and herbal tea. 

Using Nari Jeevan Jyoti will be safe and effective during the phase of any form of Dysmenorrhea.

It has been prepared with different revitalizing herbs for women. These herbs are Ashok, Lodhra, bahera, salai guggal, Shatavari and Amla, etc.

You can take the dosage as per guidance from any physician

Key benefits of using Nari Jeevan Jyoti

• Balances estrogen and progesterone levels.
• Cleanses the blockage in the blood vessels.. There will be no further problem of period pain.
• Regulates menstrual cycle and bleeding.
• Improves libido and fertility..
• No adverse effects were seen..

Over-the-counter Pain Relievers

If you are not allergic to any allopathic medicine then you can surely try anti-inflammatory and nonsteroidal painkillers. But getting yourself checked by the doctor is necessary. Without the advice of the doctor, taking any painkiller may not be safe. The doctor will examine your physiological condition and mental health and prescribe the medicine accordingly. But the condition may again relapse. There may not be a guarantee of permanent relief.

Essential Oil Massage

You can combine olive oil with oils of other ingredients like lavender, clove and almond oil to massage the lower abdomen, pelvic area and upper thighs. 

Having Orgasm

Orgasm involves the arousal of sexual desire through the nerves around the genitalia. It relieves stress and eases the flow of blood and increases the chances of preventing any complication arising in the reproductive area.

Adding Herbs

There are herbs that we use regularly to add flavor to our diet and get nourishment with anti-inflammatory nutrients and enhance immunity. The herbs mentioned below have proven to control the tightening of muscles in the lower abdominal area and ease the menstrual flow naturally. 

Fennel

You can drink water with fennel seeds in it to reduce the inflammation and cramps arising from your belly button. The use of fennel seeds dates back thousands of years in the Mediterranean region to stimulate painless menstrual flow.

Cinnamon

It is not only; used for enhancing the sweetness of food but also nourishes with Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Iron and Ascorbic acid.. It helps in improving the hemoglobin, stimulating hormonal balance and immunity. You can prepare cinnamon tea by using a stick of cinnamon along with a little ginger and two cups of water. You can have it after boiling and straining the blend of such ingredients and adding honey. You will be able to overcome the period pain successfully.

Ginger

Ginger has been known for relieving stress, and body aches and stimulating relaxation for the tiring muscles. Therefore, ginger will help prevent contractions and muscle spasms during the period of pain.

Chamomile

Belonging to the family of European daisy flowers, it can be used as an ingredient in relieving strain and pain arising from the lower abdomen during the menstrual period. Studies have proven two cups of chamomile tea daily has the potency to regulate periods and bring relief from pain.

Dang Gui

It is used in the process of preparing Chinese medicine and in other herbal recipes for regulating the menstrual cycle and improving the reproductive health of infertile women.

Chai Hu

Another common Chinese medicine with wide uses, including controlling menstruation and reducing pain. Its anti-inflammatory medicine provides a healthy solution to many liver related health problems. To get relief from period pain, drink a cup of Chai Hu tea.

Prevention

Lifestyle Changes

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital to your health and happiness. It is about making the right choices regarding your diet, exercise, rest and dealing with stress and even choosing the right profession to reduce stress and balance the sex hormones and strengthen reproductive health.

Diet and Exercise

It is about choosing the right food or nutrients to reduce inflammation and pain during the menstrual period and maintaining a healthy and satisfying life ahead..

It is also necessary to find a suitable time from the busy schedule at home or in the office to practice yoga and exercises to reduce muscle contractions and ease the menstrual flow and thereby reduce the pain.

What Food to Eat

You can include in your diet rich in phytoestrogens to stop periods of pain and gynecological complications arising from it. It may be flaxseeds, soy, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, garlic, sesame seeds and green leaves.

What Food to Avoid

Any healthcare provider would advise you to stay away from visiting fast food corners and eating burgers, pizzas and synthetic dairy products. Such food items will reduce the natural sex and reproductive hormones, increase the toxicity and cholesterol and disrupt the menstrual flow.

Exercise

Many may not consider doing any yoga or physical exercise during the menstrual period. However, a little bit of walking and some yoga asanas can show some good results in reducing menstrual pain.. Any certified yoga expert might suggest you practice specific postures to stimulate your abdomen and pelvis so that the menstrual flow happens smoothly without going through any muscle contraction.. You will feel free from stress and any form of pressure building on your pelvic floor muscles.

Yoga Asanas

Seated Forward Fold or Paschimottanasana  

You can choose to lay down straight by keeping your upper part of your body on the pillows and opening up your inner thighs and allowing the heels of your feet to touch one another. 

Child’s Pose or Balasana

Another yoga posture that you can practice by sitting down by keeping your legs facing the front and bending towards and touching the feet with your hands. In this posture, you can keep a pillow to add comfort during yoga.. This posture will bring relaxation to your contracting muscles below the abdomen and relief from menstrual pain..

Spinal Twists or Vakrasana

It is another posture to make you go comfortably through your menstrual period by minimizing your back and lower abdomen pain. You will be seated on the floor by keeping your legs straight, bending your left leg and crossing it over the right thighs and slightly twisting your left side and keeping your left hand on the same side. You can also change the position by twisting the right side.

Stress Management

It is about choosing the exercise, yoga and meditation techniques to drive away from pain and adopting the right ways of relaxing your mind by listening to soothing music and involving oneself in reading women’s magazines and articles that appeal to any young woman.

One also chooses to visit any nearby place that may be in the vicinity of nature. It will soothe your mind and relax your muscles and also raise the level of oxygen in your body.

Living With Period Pain

It is about how well you can manage your pain with the help of home remedies and diverting yourself into different positive things instead of focusing on pain.. You can practice drawing, sketches and writings and read story books and magazines. 

You can also try Shirodhara therapy by visiting Panchkarma therapy or at home to help yourself gain relief from stress, pain and worry.

Tips for Managing Pain

As already discussed above, you can follow the given methods for managing pain

• Use heat and cold therapy techniques for your abdomen.
• Select fiber-rich natural food items rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Drink a lot of water and include more liquid in your diet and exclude alcohol and synthetic drinks.
• Spice up your regular diet with pain-relieving natural ingredients like cinnamon, and ginger.
• Use Nari Jeevan Jyoti instead of synthetic painkillers.
• Practice light yoga and meditation whenever suits your time and health.
• Have a sound sleep.

Coping With the Emotional Impact of Period Pain

More you pamper your body with the different self-care techniques mentioned above, you will not go through emotional and physical stress. It is about how you boost your mood by enjoying light music, soothing romantic songs that might appeal to your ears and going to a movie hall and watching any comedy and romantic movie with your friends.. Doing such things enhances the amount of pleasure and drives you away from the emotional stress arising from menstrual pain..

Conclusion

Sometimes, periods get delayed by more than 30 days and make the woman’s health condition miserable with stress, pain in the lower abdomen, feelings of nausea, loss of appetite and variations in mood. Thickening of the tissue causes pressure during the menstrual cycle and that makes the woman suffer painful periods. It is also necessary to find a suitable time from the busy schedule at home or in the office to practice yoga and exercises to reduce muscle contractions and ease the menstrual flow and thereby reduce the pain. This posture will bring relaxation to your contracting muscles below the abdomen and relief from menstrual pain..