7 Tips for Managing Menstrual Cramps

You marvel at friends who don’t even skip a beat when their periods come, thanks to a general lack of discomfort. You, on the other hand, dread that time of the month knowing that painful menstrual cramps are on the way.

Medically known as dysmenorrhea, about 80% of women have some experience with painful periods, and up to 10% of women report that painful menstrual cramps disrupt their lives.

However your periods are showing up, if they lead to pelvic pain, the team of women’s health experts at Bay Area Physicians for Women’s Health wants to share some great strategies for minimizing menstrual pain.

A quick word about severe menstrual pain

Cramps are caused by chemicals called prostaglandins that cause your uterus to contract. This contraction helps your uterus to shed the lining each month, which is what creates your period.

Many women experience some mild-to-moderate cramping during the first day or two of their periods, which is perfectly normal.

If you are experiencing cramping that prevents you from functioning and/or the cramps last for much longer, we want you to see us for an evaluation, especially if there’s also heavy bleeding.

This type of cramping and bleeding can indicate another health issue that warrants treatment, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or other gynecologic conditions.

If your cramps are just normal, uncomfortable cramps, read on for some great at-home strategies to manage them.

Best practices for easing period cramps

Now let's get into how you can ease those first uncomfortable days of menstrual cramping:

1. Take medications

For the first day or two, many women find adequate relief in over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen.

2. Apply heat

Another great practice is to apply some heat to your belly — grab a heating pad or take a nice bath.

3. Heat from the inside with tea

Another soothing remedy for menstrual cramps involves heating up from the inside with a nice cup of herbal tea. Chamomile, oolong, peppermint, and green tea can all have an anti-inflammatory and relaxing effect on your body.

4. Drink plenty of water

Another great way to combat cramping, as well as bloating, is to drink plenty of water, which can increase your blood flow and reduce inflammation.

5. Get moving

Though you might not feel like it, movement is a great elixir for period cramps. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that not only elevate your mood but can also combat pain.

6. Skip the sugar

Even though you might be tempted to treat yourself to some cookies when you have menstrual cramps, sugar can exacerbate your discomfort. Sugar leads to system-wide inflammation in your body, which is the opposite of what you want when you have your period.

7. Reduce stress

You know what else can make menstrual cramping worse? Stress. It’s in abundant supply these days. Cortisol hormones promote inflammation, so it’s a great idea to reduce stress in your life, especially when your period rolls around.

You can even combine efforts and reduce stress by going on a walk, which ticks both your exercise and stress boxes.

With a little effort on your part, you can take the teeth out of your menstrual cramps each month and continue to enjoy life. If you have more questions about managing your period, please don’t hesitate to contact our office in Mobile, Alabama, to schedule an appointment.