Cramps are pretty common among women during their periods, however, many women begin to get emotional and experience cramps days before they start their period this is referred to as premenstrual syndrome.
Menstrual cramps can be painful and uncomfortable, but they serve a purpose. During your period, your uterus naturally contracts; this just means your uterus is “cramping up.” This allows the release of the lining inside of your uterus and helps the period blood flow out of your vagina.
Symptoms of PMS include:
- Swollen or tender breasts
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
Ways To Relieve Your Symptoms
During PMS, some women experience cramping that is so painful that it is hard to complete everyday tasks. If your period pain is really bad; here are some tips to relieve your symptoms:
- Putting a heating pad on your belly: a heating pad helps promote the blood flow and increase circulation. This delivers more oxygen to your abdominal muscles and relaxing them. It’s a natural way to relieve pain and pressure of cramps.
- Taking a hot bath: Soaking in a hot bath works much like a heating pad. Heat therapy works by increasing blood flow, relaxing your uterus muscles, and easing pain.
- Rest: Getting the proper amount of rest or practicing relaxation techniques can help you feel better, both emotionally and physically. It is also important to get a sufficient amount of sleep, when you’re tired it is more difficult to concentrate and you can become more easily agitated.
- Vitamins and herbs: things like vitamin B1, ginger, fish oil, valerian, and zinc can help reduce cramping and ease pain.
- Birth control: there are many forms of birth control that include the pill, the patch, implant, and hormonal IUD. Birth control may be recommended to relieve symptoms of PMS and even regulate or lighten your periods. It works by decreasing the number of prostaglandins produced in the body which is the chemical that makes your uterus contract. Birth control may also contain progesterone-like hormones that make the lining of the uterus thinner, resulting in a lighter flow in most women.
Most women get cramps during their periods at some point in their lives but you do not have to suffer through them. Try these at home remedies or speak with your doctor about birth control or other options.