The all-time valid concern of women is how to reduce period pain instantly. The throbbing pain and cramps during menstruation can be a huge discomfort, and the intensity varies for every individual. If you are aiming not to spoil your whole day due to period cramps, read the strategies below to get fast relief from menstrual pain at home.
Up to 91% of women of reproductive age experience menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea in the lower abdomen, thighs, and back, especially during the initial (1-3) days of their periods.
The pain may be less intense in some and unbearable for others but in either case, women browse to look for ways to reduce period pain instantly.
About 2-29% of women experience sharp and severe pain during menstruation, according to research.
The menstrual cramps hamper your daily schedule and sometimes it becomes difficult to even get out of your bed, and hence, women look for ways to reduce period pain immediately.
Don’t worry! Some easily doable tips are listed below to stop the period pain instantly at home.
OTC Medicines
Over-the-counter or OTC medicines are the ones that are readily available at medical stores and don’t require any prescription. They are among the simplest treatments to reduce period pain fast.
Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), especially ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, and naproxen, are commonly used to relieve menstrual pain.
NSAIDs are an effective option to treat menstrual pain, as investigated in this research.
These anti-inflammatory medicines decrease the production of prostaglandins in your body, which is a significant chemical released during inflammation and causes pain.
Reduced prostaglandins result in a reduced feeling of pain. These analgesics have proven efficacy in relieving period pain.
However, NSAIDs may cause stomach issues like indigestion and headaches. They may also impart adverse effects on ulcer patients. Hepatic and liver diseases may also get aggravated with their usage.
Follow the labeled instructions carefully and consult a top gynecologist doctor if you are taking any other medications to avoid drug interactions.
Dietary changes
Choosing a healthy diet full of essential nutrients and minerals immensely helps in replenishing the lost body reserves and also reduces menstrual pain.
- Iron-containing foods like meat, poultry, and nuts have proven benefits in the reduction of menstrual cramps.
- Vitamin B6, which is richly present in non-citrus fruits, beef liver, and starchy vegetables helps in reducing the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Dark chocolate is rich in magnesium and iron. It helps in relaxing uterine smooth muscles thus, reducing period pain instantly.
- You should also include nuts, fruits, and eggs in your diet as vitamin C and other nutrients in your diet may help in reducing the production of prostaglandins and relax uterine muscles to reduce the contractions which ultimately reduces the pain associated with periods. Fruits also keep you hydrated which reduced menstrual cramps.
- As a general rule, avoid salty and spicy foods as they cause bloating thus, worsening the menstrual pain.
Read here for more details about dietary considerations during periods.
Stay hydrated
If you drink 8 glasses of water daily, make it 16 during your periods. Keeping your body hydrated helps in reducing cramps and pain due to menstruation.
The importance of hydration during periods is also proven by research. Drinking water can prevent your blood from thickening, thus allowing the uterine muscles to expel the lining smoothly.
Hypohydration can increase pain sensitivity which makes the cramps more painful.
Add herbs to your diet
Herbs are no more the unsung heroes in reducing menstrual pains.
Herbal teas have been used since ancient times due to their anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. Some beneficial herbs that have been proven for reducing periods pain overnight and helping with menstrual cramps include;
- Chamomile: It possesses anti-spasmodic properties which help in relieving painful cramps and muscle spasms, thus reducing menstrual pain.
- Cinnamon: Lowers prostaglandin levels and hence reduces pain.
- Ginger: Gingerol in ginger reduces inflammation.
- Flax seeds: They contain ‘Lignans’ which reduce the symptoms of period pain.
These herbs can be consumed either as tea or in the form of decoction or syrup.
Apply heating pads
The cramps and pain during menstrual periods are the most common cause of school leaves and work absenteeism.
Heat therapy has been used to reduce period pain instantly since old times due to its advantage over OTC medicines as they have many adverse effects as well. Superficial heat can be applied to the lower abdominal or pelvic areas using hot water towels, bags, or bottles.
It is known that heat increases blood circulation at the site of application. Heat application may also release muscle tension and relax the abdominal muscles, thus reducing the pain at the site.
Deep heat may reach deeper down into the tissues but it may also cause metabolic changes in tissues and organs, hence it’s usually avoided. Heating pads and bottles are easily available at grocery or medical stores. Use them to reduce period cramps instantly at home.
Also read, how to reduce breast pains before periods.
Hot water bath
There are plenty of myths that circulate about taking a bath during your period.
Investigated evidence proves that heat in primary dysmenorrhea can help reduce your aches and back sores. Heat relaxes the muscles and also increases blood circulation. Both of these actions lead to stopping period pain immediately.
Taking a bath during menstruation is also beneficial in maintaining good hygiene which is an important factor in preventing skin & urinary tract infections during menstruation.
Soaking your body for at least 15 mins in a hot water tub makes you feel relaxed and releases the tension in your muscles. This is the go-to method for many women to stop period pain instantly at home.
You can add any aromatherapy oil like lavender or rose as an additional compliment to your mood.
Consult a gynecologist, Dr.Shaheena Asif for intense periods pain.
Massage with essential oil
Pampering your body with essential oil massage is an instant remedy to reduce your periods’ pain.
In a study, topical oil massage imparts a soothing and relaxing effect by absorbing through the skin. Essential oils impart mental health benefits as well.
The popular oils used in massaging to reduce period pain instantly include;
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Lavender
- Rose
It is recommended to mix the essential oils with any carrier oil like coconut, soybean, jojoba oil, etc.
Take a few drops of oil and rub them between your hands. Gently massage the affected area until the oil absorbs completely into the skin.
Well! What is a more simple method to reduce period pain instantly?
Caution: A patch test is usually recommended before the massage to avoid the risk of any allergic reactions.
Exercise
Although exercising during your menstruation is the biggest nightmare for every woman. However, gentle exercises like brisk walking or yoga are recommended as they can help in reducing the pain during menstruation.
Exercise or any mild physical activity is not only beneficial to release your stress but these activities also stimulate the release of endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals or hormones that help the body with menstrual cramps by reducing the perception of pain thus providing the benefit to reduce period pain instantly at home.
Research also proves the beneficial effects of yoga during menstruation and to reduce period pain instantly.
What causes menstrual cramps?
Menstruation is a physiological process and primary dysmenorrhea in periods is common.
The uterine lining formed during the menstrual cycle sheds itself when fertilization doesn’t occur. The expulsion of this uterine lining and rupture of surrounding blood vessels results in periods.
The uterine muscles contract continuously to aid this expulsion hence, the pain and cramps come along with menstruation.
If you have an upcoming event and want to stop the periods, read here how to stop periods immediately – home remedies
Complications associated with menstrual cramps
Secondary dysmenorrhea is common especially as age progresses. It is an unbearable pain that may last throughout your periods and even after that.
The underlying complications are;
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Tumors
- PCOS
The above-mentioned ways to reduce pain during periods may not benefit in case of secondary dysmenorrhea, hence, a doctor’s consultation is required.
Take away
Menstrual cramps and pain occur in almost every other woman of childbearing age.
Primary dysmenorrhea can affect your quality of life, hence, taking simple steps like dietary changes, hydration, OTC medicines, and hot water treatments may prove efficacious in reducing periods pain instantly.
However, the pain associated with secondary dysmenorrhea may not be resolved in the said ways and a proper diagnosis followed by treatment is required.
FAQs
1. How long do periods cramps last?
Period cramps usually last for 1-3 days in primary dysmenorrhea, however, the pain may last longer in individuals with secondary dysmenorrhea.
2. What sleeping position is best for periods pain?
Sleeping in the fetal position can ease the cramps as it reduces the pressure on the abdominal muscles. Sleeping straight on your back may also help with period pain.
3. How do I know that my cramps are severe?
If your period cramps don’t get better with OTC medicines or remedies like a hot bottle, massage with essential oil, or dietary changes, then it may be an indication of secondary dysmenorrhea. Consult the OB-GYN for diagnosis and treatment.