Ways to tackle menstrual cramps

Three weeks out of each month you feel great. But then comes your period, and with it, those awful cramps. You try to ignore them and go about daily business, but the pain continues to divert your attention. For most women, menstrual cramps last no more than one or two days each month. But this can seem endless when you're trying to function normally.

According to science, there are two types of menstrual cramps, the primary menstrual cramps and the secondary menstrual cramps. Primary menstrual cramps are hereditary. There is no specific cause determined. It just seems that during your period, your uterus cramps up and your sensitivity to that cramping is pretty acute. Sometimes, primary cramps will lessen after giving birth. It happened maybe because of the stretching out of the cervix during delivery reduces the pulling against it that can occur when the uterus contracts or cramps up. Secondary menstrual cramps, on the other hand, are caused by some underlying condition. They are usually a little worse than primary cramps.

Menstrual cramps are usually the result of a prostaglandin excess. Prostaglandin is a hormone produced by the uterine lining mediates many processes within the body. It can bring on headaches, intestinal cramps, and labor. While secondary cramps are usually treated by curing the underlying condition, primary cramps are largely self-treatable with over-the-counter medications and some basic comfort measures. Here are some suggestions:

Take ibuprofen or aspirin.

These medications help to lower the level of prostaglandins, which can lessen or alleviate the cramps.

Hold a heating pad or bottle with hot water in it to the cramped area.

The heat will relax the muscles and soften the pain of the cramping.

Maintain a regular aerobic exercise program.

This doesn’t mean you have to exercise through an episode of cramps. Keeping up a regular exercise or fitness program the rest of the month seems to make these episodes less intense when they do occur. Exercising also increases pelvic circulation, which helps to clear out the excess prostaglandins a little faster.

Take a hot bath.
A hot bat relaxes the muscles and increases circulation to the pelvic area. It can also relieve some of the lower back pain that can accompany cramps.

Practice good, safe, self-help techniques to have a healthy living.


Juliebeth D. Afable
~health~