9 natural remedies and treatments to relieve menstrual cramps pain

You start to feel a headache and a slight indisposition, then you glance at the calendar and you know: it’s that time of the month again and you’re about to menstruate.

Menstruation is a natural cycle of a woman’s body and today it is much freer from the taboos of the past, such as those old beliefs that menstruating women could not wash their hair or bake a cake (!).

However, there is one thing we still haven’t gotten rid of: menstrual cramps. These pains are the result of the uterus contractions to expel the preparation for a pregnancy that did not happen, so that your body can eliminate this layer of blood.

When the uterus contracts too tightly, it ends up putting pressure on the blood vessels that are around it, interrupting the flow of oxygen to the uterine muscles and, consequently, giving rise to cramps.

Now that you know where this discomfort comes from, which usually appears a day or two before menstruation, how about discovering some natural tips to relieve these symptoms? Check out:

1. Your diet influences

Inflammatory substances and nutritional deficiencies can exacerbate the pain of menstrual cramps, either by triggering a reaction in the body or by affecting blood flow.

So, more than any other time of the month, the premenstrual period needs special nutrition. Invest in foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as tomatoes, olive oil, nuts, oily fish, berries and citrus fruits.

Unfortunately, sugar fuels inflammation, so attacking a chocolate bar is not a good idea. But at the same time, chocolate is rich in magnesium, so you can turn to a square or two of dark chocolate to ease the discomfort of this period.

Also avoid processed foods that are rich in preservatives and other additives, as they tend to worsen cramping pain.

2. Take your multivitamin

Sometimes it’s a little difficult to remember to take your multivitamin every day, but in the premenstrual period, it’s best to be disciplined.

Also, some experts recommend consuming a B-complex vitamin supplement, which helps prevent bloating. Vitamin B6 helps prevent bloating and is present in brown rice, which still contains calcium and zinc.

3. Do light exercise

The discomfort caused by cramping and bloating is an added obstacle to going to the gym in the premenstrual period, but keep in mind that aerobic exercise works as a natural pain reliever.

This happens by increasing blood flow and releasing endorphins, which fight prostaglandins (substances that cause pain) and reduce uterus contractions. Of course, training hard is not the best option on these days, so it’s better to go for a walk or practice yoga.

4. Make hot compress

Heat is an excellent ally to fight menstrual cramps. The hot water bottle applied to the painful places will be your best friend on those days.

The explanation for this is that heat stimulates vasodilation, increasing blood flow and decreasing pain.

5. Grandma’s medicine works

Grandma’s tips are still valid when it comes to relieving colic. Try massaging the area with sage oil, which works as an antispasmodic.

Also, invest in ginger tea, which is anti-inflammatory, and aromatherapy with fennel, chamomile, and marjoram.

6. Stay hydrated

It may seem contradictory, but water helps the body not retain fluid, so stay hydrated to avoid bloating. Teas also help, especially hot ones: they increase blood flow and relax the muscles.

It is also worth increasing your consumption of foods with a high percentage of water, such as cucumbers and watermelon.

7. Resort to oriental medicine

According to oriental medicine, the experience of pain is never just physical, but also involves a psychological aspect. In the case of colic, they would be caused by a “stagnation” of the uterus.

Therefore, the recommendation is to resort to the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. This technique helps balance the body’s natural rhythms and energy flow, releasing blocked energy.

8. Try chiropractic

While chiropractic is not a specific technique for alleviating the symptoms of PMS, some women report feeling an improvement in the health of their reproductive system after adopting this practice.

The explanation for this effect would be the realignment of the spine, especially in the lumbar region, improving the functioning of the nerves in that place.

9. Sleep well

Unregulated sleep is detrimental to overall health, interfering with the menstrual cycle and resulting in irritability and fatigue.

You are sore and sensitized, so sleep and rest are essential so that your body is not even more demanding during this period.

These tips can help many women ease the discomfort that precedes menstruation. However, if your symptoms are strong enough to disrupt your routine, impairing your productivity, be sure to look for a specialist doctor. PMS isn’t some kind of freshness or weakness, okay?

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.