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You are here: Home / Period Symptoms / Menstrual Cramps: Five Simple Relief

Menstrual Cramps: Five Simple Relief

Last updated on May 29, 2018 By Jing J. 10 Comments

I used to have horrible menstrual cramps. Over the years, I’ve learned five things that help me get through that time of the month with less pain and more comfort.

how to relieve menstrual cramps

Some severe cramps woke me up in the middle of the night. They kept me up for a while.

I gently messaged my pelvic area and breathed deeply into that area.

I eventually drifted back to sleep. When I got up this morning, I felt rested, calm and peaceful.

In my 20s, I used to have really bad cramps. I remember one time I had terrible cramps while working at the office. They were so bad I broke down, rolled up in a ball on the floor, trembling, and covered with cold sweat.

It was quite a sight!

Unable to stand up myself, a male colleague had to carry me home. He looked concerned, but also completely bewildered by what I was experiencing.

“If only guys knew what we women go through…” I thought to myself.

I’m in my 30s now, and the cramps are not as bad. They’re still there, but much more tolerable. Doctors say that menstrual cramps lessen with age – surely one of the benefits of getting older.

5 Simple Tips to Relieving Menstrual Cramps

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that help me relieve menstrual cramps:

Abdominal Massage

Gently message around the lower abdominal area. Apply certain essential oils to help relieve period pains. Deep breathing into this area also seems to help relieve pressure and tension.

Learn how I healed my uterus.

Heat

Apply a heating pad in the pelvic area or lower back. Heat works really well to relieve tension and pain.

Herbs

Certain herbs such as Dong Guai, Chaste Berry and Raspberry Leaf are great at warming and tonifying the uterus.

When I am menstruating, I enjoy cuddling up in bed with a cup of Moon Cycle tea (a tea blend with these tonic herbs). It’s pretty much a cure for almost any discomfort for me.

Nettle tea is another great remedy for menstrual cramps accompanied with heavy bleeding. Learn more about the benefits of nettle.

If you take painkillers to relieve your period pain, try Cramp Bark instead. It’s a natural muscle relaxant without the side effects of making you feel drowsy.

Exercise

Exercise such as walking and yoga, is another cure for all. Life is in the movement. This is the truth.

Check out a simple uterus exercise to relieve period pain.

Supplements

Vitamin D

A Italian study showed that vitamin D may help relieve period pain by reducing the production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which can trigger painful periods. Learn more about the study on vitamin D and period cramps.

Magnesium

Several studies have confirmed the effectiveness of magnesium in improving PMS moods, and in reducing period cramping, weight gain, swelling of the hands and legs, breast tenderness, and abdominal bloating. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 280 mg/day for women.

Personally, I use Calcium-Magnesium Complex 1000mg by Country Life. It’s convenient to get my daily doses of calcium and magnesium in a single capsule. And even though it contains 500mg of magnesium, it’s worked fine for me.

I hope you find these tips helpful. If you have a good one that works well for you, please share with the rest of us. Thank you!

Menstruation Kit

Microwaveable Heating Pad: Warm the Uterus, Relieve Menstrual Cramps

Raspberry Leaf Tea: Support Menstruation, Tonify the Uterus, Relieve Menstrual Cramps

Moon Cycle Tea: Balance Hormones, Warm the Uterus, Relieve Period Cramps

Vitamin D: Promote Overall Health, Relieve Period Pain

Magnesium: Relax Uterine Muscles, Relieve Menstrual Cramps

Omega-3 Fish Oil: Reduce Inflammation, Blood Clotting, and Period Pain

Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-exploration

Diva Cup: Reusable Menstrual Cup

Bamboo Cloth Pads: Reusable Menstrual Pads

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Related Posts

  • 10 Simple Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
  • Five Simple Exercises with Dumbbells or Kettlebells
  • Simple Uterus Exercise to Relief Period Pain

Please help us educate other women in your circle. Thank you!

Hi, this is Jing. I created Cycle Harmony to share what I've learned to live in harmony with my body - and my life. Join us and share yours @facebook.com/cycleharmony!

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  1. Marissa says

    July 13, 2018 at 11:48 am

    The episode you described with a cold sweat, extreme cramps, and inability to stand could be due to a sudden drop in blood sugar. I experience the same on occasion and found out the way my hormones fluctuate at the start of my period can make my blood sugar regulation go out of whack. Anyways, for anyone who has had similar symptoms, I recommend learning more about hypoglycemic attacks and drinking a glass of high sugar juice/soda inmediately if you ever feel one coming on. They are so painful and scary. I’m glad you were ok!

    Reply
    • Jing says

      July 15, 2018 at 10:38 pm

      Thanks for sharing this tip, Marissa! It didn’t occur to me at the time that low blood sugar could have something to do with it. Now I know that low blood sugar is a common cause of hormone imbalance. It’s so important for us women to keep our blood sugar balanced AT ALL TIMES!

      Reply
  2. Meg says

    December 25, 2013 at 1:31 am

    Drinking plenty of good quality water helps.
    Also if a heat pad doesn’t seem to be working, a nice hot bath does wonders.

    Reply
  3. Meg says

    December 25, 2013 at 1:26 am

    Keep good quality water intake high is beneficial also.
    Also if the heat pad doesn’t seem to work, a warm bath does wonders.

    Reply
  4. Jingtastic says

    July 17, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Isabelle, I’d also add to wash the cloth pads with gentle detergent – to be free from harmful chemicals.

    Reply
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