What are period pains?
Almost half of women experience menstrual or period cramps/pains. Menstrual cramps are painful sensations in the lower abdomen and lower back. Pain can range from dull, disturbing, annoying to severe. Some women are not even able to perform daily routines such as going to work, doing household choirs or even getting out of bed.
Pain during menstruation happens due to uterus contract to shed the lining. However, some other factor can contribute to increased pain as well: having a cyst, lack of exercise, diet high in fat, salt, caffeine, and alcohol and number of underlying medical conditions.
Recommendations to Reduce Period Pains
- Exercise regularly
- Limit intake of fat, alcohol, caffeine, salt and sweets and eat fruits and vegetables
- Acupuncture
- Drinking camomile tea helps reduce menstrual pain
- Reduce stress
I came up with my own routine that saves me through the pain. It consists of two simple steps:
- Taking pain medications in a specific way
- Applying heat to the lower abdomen
The first day seems to be the hardest and the most painful. Almost never can I perform day to day tasks without taking medication and most of the times just one type of medication is not enough. Thus, my routine is:
a) Take Advil, aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSDM (make sure you take it with food, never take it on an empty stomach)
b) One or two hours later I take Tylenol or other acetaminophen containing medication.
It is also acceptable to take Advil and Tylenol at the same time.
These two medications relieve pain in a different way and it is safer to take two medications with different actions than overdosing on one medication.
Caution: Consult your doctor before taking medication. Avoid taking acetaminophen if you have liver damage and/or drinking alcohol heavily. Please, read carefully instructions before taking medications, check your allergies and consult with your doctor. Never exceed the dosage indicated on the medication bottle. If you are taking any other medications, consult your doctor for possible drug interactions. Never take medication if you are allergic to any of its components
Applying heat to the lower abdomen
However, sometimes, my pain is so strong that even above routine is not enough. I discovered that using a heated rice pillow or heating pad helps tremendously and takes the pain away. Usually heat minimizes pain. If you have any inflammations, you cannot use heated pillow as it will spread an inflammation.
Hope this post will help to get you through this unpleasant time of the month. Please, share your ways of coping with period pains.
