Do you dread the time when cramps strike? Most girls and women suffer from mildly painful cramps. Normally, cramps strike a day or two before bleeding starts and cease a day or two after bleeding begins. There is no way to dodge them, but you can make them less painful and manageable. Here is how to make cramps go away.
Remedies to Make Cramps Go Away
1. Use Heat
There are a number of natural remedies that have been studied and have proven to help ease pain from menstrual cramps. The easiest and most common method is heat. Heat is deemed to be as effective, or even more effective, than OTC drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Heat helps the contracting muscles to relax. Heat should be applied on your back and lower abdomen. You can use a heating pad, whichcan release heat for up to 12 hours. Place them on your clothes or skin, but be sure to read the instructions.Heat patches is also useful, they are made in different sizes and shapes, and have different purposes. Heat patches are sometimes more appropriate than heating pads because of their portability. You can go about your activities while wearing one.Some brands have patches specifically for menstrual cramps.
2. Drink Hot Water
Another way on how to make cramps go away is drinking hot water. Although it sounds odd, drinking water makes your body retain less water. As a result, you do not get bloated. Hot or warm water improves flow of blood to the skin easing cramped muscles. Eating water based food like berries (raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries), watermelons, cucumbers, celery and lettuce will also help.
3. Try to Massage
You can relax a tense muscle by massaging it. Put your hand over your stomach or back then press down and knead the area. Focus the massage on where the pain seems to be most. You can have your partner help with the massage. Make sure they do not press too hard.
4. Take a Painkiller
Over-the-counter painkillers help a lot with menstrual cramps. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Tylenol and Ibuprofen ease the pain quickly. There are drugs that are meant to deal with menstrual pain and cramps. Purchase a drug with acetaminophen. Ensure you follow the dosage on the packaging. If the pain does not ease, try out other methods of getting rid of cramps instead of taking more pills.
5. Cut Out Caffeine and Alcohol
Most people actually feel they have less intense cramps if they reduce their intake of alcohol and caffeine. Days prior to cramping, reduce your intake of these beverages. Do not take them if you are already cramping. If you have very painful cramps, you should consider a caffeine and alcohol free lifestyle. You can replace coffee with black tea. It has enough caffeine to give you your morning boost.
6. Do More Exercise
Medical research has proven that women who exercise regularly have less intense cramps. If you exercise all through the month, the intensity of your cramps will be toned down. Exercising when cramping loosens the muscles and eases the pain. Cardio exercises like swimming and running come in handy. Weight training is also good for your health, and it strengthens your muscles as well. When cramping, you can walk or do yoga. Simple exercises also help.
7. Eat Some Gingers
Another point on how to make cramps go away is by eating or drinking ginger. Ginger is a powerful herb that is capable of making cramps go away. It acts by reducing the levels of prostaglandins that cause the pain. In addition, it gets rid of the menstrual fatigue and can help make irregular menses regular. Grate a tiny piece of ginger, boil it in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes and mix with lemon juice and honey. Take this 3 times daily during your cycle. You can also suck on ginger candies.
8. Drink Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that relax the womb and reduce spasmodic contractions that cause cramps. Pour boiling hot water in a cup with a chamomile tea bag and cover for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze out the tea bag and add honey and lemon juice. 2 cups of chamomile tea daily during the week prior to your period will save you a lot of agony.
When to See Your Doctor
Even though you how to make cramps go away by using the remedies listed above, when the pain becomes more intense than normal or it does not go away, do not ignore. Below are signs that could be indications of serious health problems. Call a doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- Cramps lasting longer than usual
- You have a fever
- You feel nauseated and start vomiting
- The bleeding is more than normal
- You suspect you are pregnant