We appreciate some of the top tried true hacks for the pain of period. It’s something we’ve always wanted to dive in and we share it with you so you don’t have to suffer every month in the pain of the times.
Let’s make it real. Having your period can feel like you’re punched into the gut at the same time while running a marathon. Convulsions, pain, mood swings – sometimes enough to make you want to hide straight under the cover for a week. If you’ve Googled “How to Stop Pain Through Periods Fast” while clutching the heating pad, you’re not alone. Good news? There are proven ways to relieve pain.
In this article, we dive into why periods hurt in the first place, which symptoms are noticeable, and hacks that actually work when you feel like your body is rebelling.
Why does the period hurt so much?
At the beginning of every cycle, the uterus contracts to help drain its lining, and their contractions are caused by a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like lipids released by the body,” explains Samantha Vecchi, an Ayurvedic practitioner specializing in menstrual health. Therefore, the prostaglandins you have will be milder on top of these chemicals, if there are conditions like inflammatory diseases of the endometrium or pelvis, as well as high levels of these chemicals.
Symptoms of pain during your period
Don’t know if what you’re feeling is normal? Some common symptoms associated with menstrual pain include:
Lower abdominal or back pain or throbbing sensation convulsions sharp pain headache or migraine nausea or stomach fatigue and muscle weakness
Hacks to relieve pain during your period
Now that we know why the pain of the times occurs, let’s talk about what you can do about it. Here’s a summary of popular hacks. What’s more, how effective it is actually.
Before breaking down each hack on a scale of 1-10, here are two supplements that cannot survive without symptoms of duration.
Use a heating pad (or take a warm bath)
Rating: 10/10
This is always a go-to classic for a painful period. Veitch explains that applying heat to the abdomen can help relax the uterine muscles, improve blood flow and reduce the intensity of convulsions. As blood flow increases, oxygen and nutrients become better, and tighter, contracted muscles relax. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can always soak in a warm bath (and even a bonus if you have essential oils!). Whether you prefer a belly heating pad or soaking in a warm, comfortable bath, heat therapy has been scientifically proven to help relieve pain over time just as effectively as over-the-counter medications.
Caster oil pack
Rating: 8/10
Castor oil has been used for centuries to promote circulation and reduce inflammation. When applied, it helps relax the muscles, relieve cramps and improve blood flow. This may help reduce the intensity of pain over time. Acupuncists and Chinese herbal medicine expert Dr. Jack Medeiros usually recommends caster oil packs for patients experiencing liver qi stagnation (a pattern of herbal medicine related to symptoms such as irritation, mood swings, painful breast tenderness, painful or irregular periods. Fixed with a wrap.
Essential oils (massage)
Rating: 7/10
Essential oils such as lavender, clary sage, roses, and peppermint are known to help relax muscles and reduce inflammation. One pain management study found that women who used essential oils during the period had less pain than women who received a placebo aromatherapy massage. This technique involves mixing a few drops of essential oils with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil, mixing the two, and then massaging them into the lower abdomen. (Using carrier oils with essential oils prevents skin irritation.)
Eat food with magnesium
Rating: 8/10
Magnesium plays an important role in muscle relaxation and reducing inflammation. Several studies suggest that women with higher magnesium intakes have less painful periods. Foods such as lush greenery, almonds, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate and avocado are great natural sources of minerals. Veitch recommends drinking ritual cacao. “Cocoa is rich in magnesium and helps relax the muscles and reduce cramps,” she says. “Magnesium is often soaked during your period. This can increase the tension in the body. Warm cocoa supplements this mineral and promotes relaxation and relief of tension.”
Move your body
Rating: 7/10
While convulsions may seem impossible when you drag them to a workout class, light exercise can actually make a huge difference. Movement can help boost endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, and improve blood flow, reducing convulsions. Active walks, Pilates, or even a simple spin on a stationary bike can help. The gentle yoga pose can be posed like a child’s pose, a cat’s sho, or a reclining twist. It also stretches and relaxes the muscles in the lower body, improves circulation and relieves convulsions.
Acupuncture (relieves the nervous system)
Rating: 8/10
Acupuncture is known to help relieve pain symptoms by inserting ultrafine needles at specific points in the body. Several studies suggest that acupuncture can relieve the nervous system, reduce prostaglandin levels, and significantly relieve pain over time. Medeiros suggests applying shiatsu to the spleen 6, about 3 inches above the medial bone of the ankle (medial Marelorus). Next, massage the area in a small circle for 3-5 minutes using solid pressure. “It’s normal to feel the point is gentle,” Medeiros says. “Spleen 6 intersects with the spleen, liver and kidney channels – the major meridian in gynecological health – and is commonly used to alleviate menstrual cramps and support reproductive balance.”
When do you seek professional care?
If your pain is felt extreme (as it interferes with your daily life), it is worth checking in with your doctor to eliminate the underlying conditions. Pain over time can be more painful than others, but it should not be so serious.
“If you’re experiencing convulsions, know that support is available,” Medeiros says. “It can refer to conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, adenomyosis, or uterine fibroids, so it’s not so serious that an NSAID should not help.
Unfortunately, pain during the period is common, but that doesn’t mean you need to suffer through them without finding relief. From cozy heating pads to holistic approaches like castor oil packs and acupuncture treatments, there are optional toolkits to explore. The most effective ones can vary from person to person, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find a perfect period of pain relief combo. Your body will thank you even in your worst cycle.
