5 Ways to Say Goodbye to Menstrual Cramps Now!

They are the hated; they are the feared. Menstrual cramps can make a day at the beach feel like getting a root canal at your dentist. Don't let menstrual cramps ruin your fun. Those knee-jerking, stomach-turning, curl-up-in-bed menstrual cramps do not have to be a part of your life anymore. Here are some great tips.

1) Relieve yourself in the bathroom

It is a fact that menstruation often brings the onset of diarrhea, or a short period of needing to do #2 for a time. Relieving yourself in that way does make a big difference in comfort with your cramps. In fact, putting in a tampon on a bowel-relieved, gas free stomach will absolutely, positively, and for lack of a better word, indubitably, make you feel at least a little better than if you had not. This is a crucial tip, so please do not ignore it. And also, though we know how awkward it is to "let one go" in public, know that flatulence may be one of your best friends when it comes to relieving pressure in your abdomen during your time of the month.

2) Take it easy on the water

Retaining water during your period is naturally inevitable, but it can make you very uncomfortable because of the weight and stress it puts on the abdomen region that is already under duress because of hormonal madness. Take it easy with the water and urinate whenever you can. Especially if you are a tampon wearer, this tip is as crucial as doing #2 in the bathroom. Having an emptier stomach and bladder will certainly provide more comfort. However, remember to always eat and drink when you are on your period, especially iron-rich foods.

3) Don't neglect the herbal family

There are many herbs that are said to be effective in calming menstrual symptoms, like excessive bleeding, bloating, and menstrual cramps. Here are some of the acclaimed: black haw, wormwood, blue cohosh, and chamomile. Here is a website that lists out clearly and plainly the good Chinese herbs that will aid you in period duress: http://naturalhealthmethods.com/chinese-herbs-that-stop-painful-menstrual-cramps/

4) Become a BCP taker

Taking birth control pills has been known to decrease menstrual cramps because there is less lining to shed upon menstruation. Less lining=less cramps because the uterine walls have less blood and lining to contract out. As for a BCP that is not too harsh and low hormonal, Diane 35 is recommended. I myself have used Diane 35 and am exceedingly pleased with the results.

If you need more than Diane 35 to relieve menstrual cramps, see your health professional immediately and find even stronger ways to get your cramps under control. You may find yourself using the tip below.

5) Take Ibuprofen

Though using drugs for ailments is very undesirable for many people, you may want to make a slight exception for ibuprofen during your cycle. Advil is prescribed by many doctors for women who experience extreme heavy period bleeding and back pain during menstruation. For many, it is a little known secret, but now you know. Ibuprofen belongs to a group of drugs called no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). According to the article "Relief From Menstrual Cramps," how these drugs work is by reducing hormones that would cause inflammation and pain in the body. This explains why doctors advise the taking of ibuprofen a few days before the actual period begins, so that, in layman's terms, the hormones never get the chance to fire up. If you choose this step that is quite likely to help you a great deal, follow directions on your medication very carefully. The possible side effect with ibuprofen is stomach bleeding. Some take this medication three days before their period, taking one pill every six hours, and if need be, continuing the dosage when the period actually occurs. According to the official website for NSAIDS, in the case of heavy bleeding with periods, "NSAIDs should be taken for the course of the menstrual period, for a maximum of five days". You should see a massive improvement.

If you follow these tips, you too can be free of menstrual cramp doom.

Sources:

"Relief from Menstrual Cramps." http://www.womenshealth.org/a/treat_dysmenra.htm. GenneX Healthcare Technologies Inc.

"NSAIDS Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Dosage." http://www.nsaids.info/nsaids/nsaids-heavy-menstrual-bleeding-dosage/. NSAIDS.