Tips for Getting Relief from Period Pain

That “time of the month” is never fun and is always downright inconvenient. There are several other annoying symptoms of periods, such as food cravings, bloating, mood swings and irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and tender breasts — most of which start before your cycle even starts, serving as menacing signals of what's soon to come.

And then there are the cramps...

One in eight women experiences period cramps (mild to severe) during their menstrual cycle, which makes the “monthly visit” not so pleasant.

To help you get some relief from period pain, we’ve put together 5 tips for period relief.

Treatment For Painful Stomach Cramps

Here are five of the most effective ways to help get pain relief from menstrual cramps:

1. Apply heat

Heat can relax the muscles that cause cramping, so applying heat to your belly or back can help soothe your pain. Soaking in a warm bath, taking a hot shower, or using a heating pad are great ways to ease period pain. You can also buy pain relief patches at your local pharmacy and use them when you’re on the go.

2. Take an OTC pain reliever

Since period cramps are so common and so painful, it's obvious that pain relievers can be a go-to remedy to relieve many of the symptoms of period pain.

But which pain relievers are best to reduce pain from menstrual cramps? For period pain from cramps, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as naproxen (Aleve) and Ibuprofen (Advil) are likely to work best.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also help relieve pain, but it doesn't really address any of the inflammation that causes painful period cramps.

Some medications, like Midol, claim to relieve period pain, but check the label since many are multi-symptom medications that contain different active ingredients — but an NSAID may not be included.

3. Exercise

When you're in pain, relaxing may seem like the best option. However, mild physical activity can act as a natural pain reliever. Exercise releases endorphins (chemicals produced by the body that help block the sensation of pain) and will reduce pain in your body. Plus, exercise reduces stress — which also happens to affect how you feel pain.

4. Take steps to reduce stress

Stress affects your body in different ways, including lowering your pain threshold. Taking steps to reduce stress can ultimately help you find relief from period cramps.

Here are several ways to reduce stress:

• Yoga
• Deep breathing exercises
• Meditation
• Counseling
• Exercise

5. Eat a balanced and healthy diet

Eating a balanced diet full of good nutrients may yet be another way to relieve period pain since certain minerals and vitamins have been suggested to help reduce cramps.

There is some evidence that shows that vitamin B1, also called thiamine, and magnesium can be effective treatments for painful stomach cramps. These are two minerals and vitamins that most adults generally get plenty of through a healthy diet.

Foods rich in magnesium and vitamin B1 include:

• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Legumes, including beans, lentils, and chickpeas
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Avocado
• Asparagus
• Oranges

Visit Online4Pharmacy to explore the full range of over-the-counter medications and treatments that can effectively reduce period pain such as cramps, headache, backache, and overall fatigue or irritability.