Periods: oh how wonderful they are. Every month, I wonder why it is that Mother Nature has gifted me so. Although they hurt and infuriate me, I’m still constantly thrilled by the evidence that I’m not pregnant.
But that doesn’t mean I forget all the pain. So, if we can’t get around it, or go through or over it, what exactly can we do to turn this whirling tornado in our abdomens into something that doesn’t make you want to crawl into a ball and watch Bridget Jones’s Diary?
1. Hot Water Bottle
My favorite tip of all time is to use a hot water bottle. Dear God, it’s a miracle worker. All that cramping disappears! It’s also so super cosy.
All you have to do is fill a hot water bottle and wrap it in a towel or something similar. Then place it right at the bottom of your stomach; after a couple of minutes, you’re in period heaven…. Quite a visual isn’t it? Think red waterfalls. I like to spend this time watching a good movie or reading a book. It’s my chill out time.
2. Medication
Take drugs. I know you’re expecting tips like elevate your legs over your head and sing, “I’m a barbie girl,” but I’m giving you some solid, foolproof advice here. Pain equals using pain relief medication. So take a pill, like Panadol or Nurofen, and wait for the magic to start. It’s really good to take them if it happens in the middle of work or something else important like spotting a unicorn and going on a quest to catch it. So, take the pill.
3. Yoga
Do some yoga or stretches that help to relax the abdominal area. Don’t stretch too hard; you just want to loosen those muscles.
The idea is that cramps are caused by a constriction or tightening of the lower abdomen muscles so you want to target these areas.
I would even go one step further and tell you to start stretching a week or so before you get your period so that you can prevent the issue from occurring rather than having to deal with the pain.
4. Camomile Tea
Ok, who loves evidence? Me. I love evidence. Drinking German camomile tea has actually been shown to reduce the effects of cramping.
A study showed some significant results in favor of the tea. I love tea, so this seems like a great idea. So, the study tells us that the tea has glycine, which is an amino acid that gets rid of muscle spasms. As a result, it relaxes your muscles and you start feeling great.
5. Detox and Fibre
One of the symptoms of getting your period, aside from blood of course, is that you have trouble going to the bathroom.
What happens is that built up pressure adds to the physical discomfort you’re already feeling. To make yourself feel better, go on a detox a couple of days before you get your period.
Also, increase your fibre intake and make sure to drink 2 liters of water a day. You can chose which ever detox you like, as long as it’s making you go to the bathroom. If it comes to it, you could even use a laxative—only a day or two before your period—but it’s really the water and fibre that makes all the difference.
6. Go on the Pill
Some of us get really, really bad cramps. I know of someone who literally crawls up into a ball and cries from the pain. If you’re likes this, the pill may be a good option for you—naturally, check with your doctor.
There are some people who even choose to forgo having a period at all; they just don’t take the placebo pill. I remember reading an article by a doctor saying that it was safe and that multiple patients of hers hadn’t had a period in 10 years.
So, that’s definitely something you can look into. There are also other birth controls you can use if the pill isn’t for you. Some come in the form of injections and can last up to 5 years. These just lessen the amount of blood you get and reduce cramps. It’s all up to you.
Basically, the overarching theme is that preparation is key to avoiding the pain to begin with instead of having to deal with the pain later on. I really do hope these tips have helped you; I’ve made sure to only include tips that actually have some evidence behind them because I’m really tired of seeing articles giving people false hope.
If you’ve come across any tips that have some scientific backing and they’ve worked for you, let us know in the comments below. I’m sure everyone will appreciate it.
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