5 Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

This condition only occurs among females with regular or irregular menstruation cycles. A menstrual cramp is also known as dysmenorrhea — a throbbing and cramping pain in the lower abdomen which occurs before and during their menstrual.

For some women, the pain from menstrual cramps can be annoying; however, it usually interferes with their everyday activities for some with severe pain symptoms.

If you ask a woman, having menstrual cramps is one of the most annoying parts of having your monthly menstrual.

But, menstrual cramp severity usually varies from person to person.

Some women don’t experience menstrual cramps, while others experience it every month.

These cramps can range from mild to severe. And this usually becomes less painful or may entirely stop after having your first child.

Your menstrual occurs when your uterus sheds its lining.

This may cause pain, such as cramping and discomfort during menstrual.

A painful type of menstruation is called dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps.

The usual symptoms for menstrual cramps include:

Some women also have:

Here are some risks of having painful menstrual:

Having menstrual cramps may be symptoms of an underlying condition, such as:

Endometriosis

This, on the other hand, is a painful condition wherein cells from the uterus lining grow in other parts of the body, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or tissue lining in the pelvis.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This is an infection of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that causes inflammation and pain of the reproductive organs.

Cervical Stenosis

This is a rare condition wherein the cervix is too narrow or small that it slows down the menstrual flow, causing pressure to increase inside the uterus, which will then cause pain.

Fibroids in The Uterus

This is a condition of having fibroids in the uterus. Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that can put pressure on the uterus or cause abnormal menstruation and pain.

Adenomyosis

It is a rare condition wherein the uterine lining grows into the uterus' muscular wall, which causes inflammation, pain, and pressure.

This may also cause longer and heavier menstrual.

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps can usually be treated with over-the-counter medication.

However, it is not advisable in large and continuous consumption.

For a more natural treatment with less to no side effects, try natural remedies for menstrual cramps because it can also work like your usual over-the-counter drugs.

Ginger

Ginger has been a trendy remedy for a variety of conditions.

This is because ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

A study found that ginger capsules help relieve symptoms of dysmenorrhea, including painful menstrual.

The women included in the ginger group took 250 milligrams of ginger capsules four times a day for the first three days of their menstrual.

The women in the mefenamic group also took 250 milligrams of mefenamic acid capsules four times a day. In comparison, those in the ibuprofen group took 400 milligrams per day four times a day.

The women in every three groups reported similar pain relief and reduction in the severity of dysmenorrhea.

Thus, ginger can work as well as the painkiller you’re using. No one reported severe side effects with any treatment.

Cinnamon

This spice works to relax the cramping uterine muscles and block prostaglandins' production — inflammatory compounds that stimulate the uterine contractions. This is similar to the role of Ibuprofen.

Cinnamon has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Western herbalists have traditionally used this spice to alleviate menstrual cramps and slow, heavy menstrual bleeding.

Herbal medicines typically have milder effectiveness with minimal or no side effects since cinnamon is safe with a limited dosage.

Cinnamon is a convenient and straightforward natural remedy for alleviating menstrual cramps.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a trendy tea for its mild and relaxing properties. It is full of anti-inflammatory substances that inhibit prostaglandins.

The endometrium cells release prostaglandins during a woman’s menstrual cycle, which causes pain and cramps.

Prostaglandins in the bloodstream are the main culprit in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea during your menstrual.

You can find chamomile tea in groceries or convenience stores. Sipping some chamomile tea will slow down pain-causing prostaglandins and enhance menstrual flow for easing painful periods.

Magnesium

This mineral is essential for one’s body to build muscles, protein, and healthy bones.

This also helps muscles and nerves function correctly, regulate blood pressure, and control blood sugar levels.

Magnesium helps in creating DNA and RNA and to manufacture glutathione in the body.

One study found that those who took 250 milligrams of magnesium along with 40 milligrams of Vitamin B6 per day experienced a drastic reduction in dysmenorrhea symptoms.

Just be careful with taking magnesium and other medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, and bisphosphonates.

Having a proper amount of magnesium is also associated with a lower chance of getting endometriosis.

Great sources for magnesium include spinach, cashews, peanuts, black beans, and almonds. An adult woman should get 310-400 milligrams of magnesium per day.

Hot Compress

An excellent example of this is a heating pad, hot water bottle, or heat wrap, which are already trendy natural remedies for a cramping abdomen.

It helps relax the muscles, therefore reducing muscle cramping in the abdomen.

A study between women who already had dysmenorrhea found that those who applied a heating pad experienced similar pain relief benefits from the place as those who took ibuprofen for cramps.