Tried and tested tips to reduce pain during menstrual periods

It's that time of the month again! Suddenly those
long walks along the beach, that fun day with friends,
and shopping sprees, have been replaced with
dizziness, nausea, and a strong urge to just lie in
bed. How you wish there was a magic pill to take all
those pains away!
So what's all the fuss about? Why all the discomfort
during your period?
Menstrual cramps are caused due to the shedding of
the inner lining of the uterine wall. This shedding is
assisted by a host of hormones, the master being
'prostaglandins'. Where there is pain there are
prostaglandins! This hormone is also prominent
during delivery. It is responsible for pushing the
lining of the uterus out. Apart from all the hormonal
action, the poor uterus is devoid of blood, therefore
the muscle spasms. In severe cases this condition is
called Dysmenorrhea.
Now that we know why we suffer from menstrual
cramps, here are some tips to help relieve the
discomfort:
Keep up the exercise:
It is important that you continue with gentle
exercise during your periods. It helps by releasing
beta-endorphins, which are internal Opioids — your
own 'human morphine'.
It is natural to feel bloated before your periods, if
you reduce your salt intake a few days before your
periods it will help your kidneys flush out excess
water.
Read: Basics of weight training
Dress for comfort:
Avoid tight clothes, especially at the waist. They only
hurt the stomach and further compressing it causes
discomfort. Leave that belly alone!
Try some home remedies:
A great pain reliever is the wild yam (Ratalu), its
antispasmodic qualities help in making the day that
much more bearable.
Raspberry leaf or jasmine flavored green tea work
wonders in calming the body and mind.
Include a glass of milk in your breakfast. Calcium is
a good cure for cramps. If you are not such a 'milk'
person or are lactose intolerant about 600mg (2-4
tablets) of calcium chewables should do the trick.
Indulge in generous helpings of papaya during and
before your periods. Papaya contains 'papain' an
enzyme that helps to regulate and helps to ease the
flow during menstruation.
Carrots are not only good for your eyes; they also
assist in regulating menstruation. A tall glass of
carrot juice can go a long way in making you feel
much better.
Aloe Vera juice with honey is also well known to
ease the flow and reducing the pain.
Avoid red meat and caffeine. They have properties
that exacerbate the pain
Have a hot shower. Concentrate the flow of water
on your back and abdomen. A hot water bag also
helps to relieve discomfort.
Applying lavender oil around your stomach is
known to help relieving cramps in just 10 to 15
mins.
Just remember to be kind to yourself – Relax, read a
book, listen to some soft music or chat up with
friends. If you feel happy and rejuvenated, your
mind will help you fight physical pain.
However, if you are suffering from the type of pain
you have never experienced before, do monitor it
closely. You may want to see a doctor to rule out any
cause such as Endometriosis, Fibroids, Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS/PCOD), Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease, Premenstrual Syndrome.