Menstrual pain is one of the common problems among women. Around 80% of women suffer from period cramps of varying intensity. Ten out of a hundred women can experience tremendous menstrual pain that affects their everyday life.
Any woman can suffer from period cramps at any age. The pain is more intense for early-aged women.
In this article, we will discuss the causes of menstrual pain and how you can deal with it.
Causes of Menstrual Pain
During menstruation, the uterus lining is expelled from the body. Uterus contracts for easing the process while releasing hormonelike substances called prostaglandins. These substances are necessary for uterine muscle contraction and also cause pain and inflammation. The more prostaglandins are present, the severe the pain a woman experiences.
A woman will experience menstrual cramps for the following reasons:
- Endometriosis: The tissue lining of the uterus gets implanted outside of the uterus in this case. The lining commonly gets implanted on ovaries, pelvis tissue lining, or fallopian tube.
- Uterine fibroids: if you have this condition, there may be non-cancerous growth in your uterus wall.
- Adenomyosis: Here, the uterus lining tissue starts to grow into the uterus’s muscular wall. Therefore, while the lining is shading, it causes cramps.
- Pelvic Immune Disease: Women can experience cramps if sexually transmitted bacteria cause infection in female reproductive organs.
- Cervical Stenosis: Some women suffer from painful menstruation due to a small opening of the cervix causing pressure buildup. The pressure builds up as the menstrual flow is blocked.
Diagnosis of Menstrual Cramps
Diagnosis of the reasons for menstrual cramps will need a physical exam along with a pelvic exam. During these exams, the doctor will check for any abnormalities and infections in your reproductive organs.
A doctor may suggest an ultrasound, imaging tests, or laparoscopy if any disorder is suspected.
Dealing With Menstrual Pain
A healthy woman goes through menstruation once a month till menopause if not pregnant. So dealing with menstrual cramps every month can be frustrating for them. However, there are various processes and remedies available to minimize pain during menstruation. Some effective methods of managing menstrual pain are:
Drinking Water and Herbal Teas
Bloating can cause discomfort and make menstrual cramps intolerable. Drinking water reduces bloating. Moreover, if you drink hot water, it increases blood flow and helps in relaxing muscles. Therefore the pain caused by uterine contractions is reduced.
For additional benefits, drink herbal teas. Herbal teas contain anti-inflammatory properties which reduce muscle spasms in the uterus. Chamomile, ginger, or fennel tea are great in this manner.
Reduce Junk Food from Diet
Many women tend to eat junk foods like french fries, ice-creams, and brownies during their menstruation. These foods contain high sugar, processed fat, and salts. These compounds can worsen menstrual cramps.
Instead, add fruits and nuts as comfort food during menstruation. These foods are good for health and can help in managing cramps.
Switch Coffee with Decaf
Caffeine in coffee or other caffeine-rich drinks can narrow your blood vessels. Therefore your uterus gets narrowed and causes intense cramps.
Switching to decaf from coffee during the menstrual period can help in reducing pain. If you are used to drinking coffee, try having protein bars during this time. A quick walk can also boost your energy and reduce the need for caffeine.
Dietary Supplements
Menstrual cramps occur due to inflammation. Therefore, taking dietary supplements with anti-inflammatory properties can reduce menstrual pain.
Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium and reduce inflammation. Other than that, vitamin E, magnesium, omega -3 can make cramps less painful. For better results, take supplements every day, not only during menstruation.
Some supplements can react badly with certain medications. So, it is better to ask your doctor before taking any supplements.
Applying Heat
Applying heat reduces tension from your muscles and improves blood flow. This method can help you reduce menstrual cramps.
Use a heating pad to heat the areas where you are experiencing cramps. You can also take hot baths to manage pain as well.
Light Therapy
Light therapy has therapeutic benefits in reducing pain. Red light and NIR therapy can reduce your pain with ease.
Red light therapy helps in improving circulation in the body and increases metabolism. With increased metabolism, body cells can repair cellular damage and replicate for quick healing. Increased circulation allows blood to reach all over the body to carry nutrients and anti-inflammatory substances.
A woman using red light therapy at home during menstruation can get quick relief from pain. Red light and near-infrared light therapy go under the skin and heats up the cells for relaxing muscles. Along with fast healing and increased metabolism, intense cramps can be effectively managed.
A study on Korean women concluded that near-infrared light therapy reduces menstrual pain, menstrual pain duration, and pain medication use.
Light therapy is completely natural and has no side effects, and is easy to use. However, it is wise to consult your doctor before getting light therapy.
Final Words
Suffering from menstrual cramps is a very painful experience. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help you manage pain and perform your everyday tasks.
Home remedies and treatment options can reduce menstrual pain significantly. Also, red light therapy has been very effective in dealing with menstrual pain. Give the above-mentioned processes a try. In severe cases, consult with a doctor immediately.