Oh cramp? Menstruation is a monthly occurrence that forces us to curl up on our beds. This journey of womanhood is quite tough and sometimes we honestly wish that these painful symptoms like-cramps, bloating, mood swings, lower back pain, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, heavy bleeding would just disappear overnight. According to experts, on an average menstrual cramp can last up to 10 minutes. And this pain could be excruciating. Heating pads can be the savior at this moment but there are times when nothing works. So, what should we do at that time?
Let’s understand the whole process and the remedies that can help to reduce the pain of menstrual cramps.
Why do we have menstrual cramps?
Mild menstrual cramps are a natural process and happens to almost every other woman. During periods, the uterus contracts to help shed lining. These contractions are elevated due to the hormone-like production called prostaglandins. The higher the level of this hormone-like substance - the more pain you will feel during your initial days of periods.
How to reduce menstrual cramps?
While these menstrual cramps can be unbearable, a few changes in the diet can help you to reduce the pain. So, here are 4 effective home remedies to fight through the pain:
Drink warm water
We are usually advised to drink 6-7 glasses of water every day. It might seem simple but this could really help you to calm down the bloating that comes with the severe pain. A glass of warm H2O can really help you. And while you are at it add some mint or a lemon wedge to make it more palatable. Since some women experience vomiting with menstrual cramps this could retain those lost fluids and improve your taste.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens are very rich in iron. Many women ignore the need of iron and they often forget that we need this supplement since we lose a lot of blood every month. This can even contribute to anemia in people with very heavy periods. Leafy greens can reduce the inflammation in the stomach that causes severe pain. So just chow on those dark leafy-green spinach just like ‘Popeye’.
Protein
Eggs are the natural storehouse of various vitamins like B6, D, and E, which all work together to fight off the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. They're also packed with protein, which is an added nutritional bonus. So, how do you like your eggs?
Chocolate
We crave sweets during these days and we can indeed consume some chocolates but dark chocolate with 86% of coco content has shown best results as it contains magnesium and fibre which can help to reduce intense bouts of pain.