Ways to relieve menstrual pain can be easy, time consuming, difficult, or therapeutic but whatever they are, we need them! The time of month that all women dread is the time of month that causes severe pain for over half of the women in the world. And I don't mean your average run-of-the-mill menstrual pain. I'm talking menstrual pain that is severe enough to keep you home from work. Yes, there are women who deal with that! Are you one of them? Then you need to read this article with ways to relieve menstrual pain.
Menstrual pain does not have to be something that controls your life. Instead, it can be something that you deal with and go on with your activities as normal. If you have to deal with severe menstrual pain, be assured that there are ways to relieve menstrual pain. Keep on reading this article if you would like to know 9 ways to relieve menstrual!
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
Successfully subscribed!
Thank you for subscribing! Check your inbox for personalized content.
1. Heat
Heat is one very effective method for relieving menstrual pain. There are many different ways to use heat on your lower abdomen! Try taking a hot shower. If that doesn't work, you can buy a heating pad that plugs into an outlet if you have a day to spend at home on the couch during your period. Or you can try disposable ones if you are stuck at work. They work much like the disposable ice packs. Just shake to activate, then stick under your clothes. They are quite discreet! If you find yourself stuck without a heating pad, toss a bag of rice into the microwave for a few minutes. Works like a charm!
2. Pain Killers
Pain killers are an obvious way to relieve menstrual pain. I like Advil the best, but some women find that aspirin, Tylenol, Midol or Ibuprofen works better for them. Take as directed on the bottle. Take the max amount for severe pain. Go ahead and pop them as soon as you feel the pain coming on. That way you can stop it in its tracks! You don't need to wait until the pain is so severe you can't stand anymore.
3. Natural Remedies
There are a few natural remedies that are very helpful for relieving menstrual pain, and even bloating or PMS! Among my favorite tried-and-true ones are Evening Primrose, German Chamomile Flower, St. John's Wort, Kava Kava Root, Milk Thistle Seed and Black Cohesh Root. Try a few of these herbs and see if they make a difference! Take them daily for the few days leading up to your period, and every day while you are on your period for the best results.
4. Laying in the Fetal Position
This may sound a little crazy, but laying in the fetal position is one way to relieve menstrual pain! Do you ever notice how a small baby will draw his legs up to his stomach when he has a tummy ache? That's because the body automatically knows that this position helps relax tummy muscles and relieve the pain a bit. This may not be effective on its own, but I guarantee you if you double it up with a heating pad, or Advil, or both, you will get great results!
What you choose to wear while working out can have a significant impact on your comfort and performance. One essential item is the sports bra. Lack of proper support can lead to discomfort and muscle tissue damage. Choosing a good sports bra can help prevent these problems and ensure a great workout!
5. Having Sex
All right, I can see the eyes rolling out there. This idea may be far fetched, but it's been proven that having sex while you are on your period helps to relieve menstrual pain. Having orgasms helps release some of the pressure and allows your uterus walls to relax! Try doing it in the shower for less mess. Keep some towels and wipes handy for cleanup. And obviously, this tip is for married ladies only as I would never want to encourage pre-marital sex-but there are other ways to achieve orgasm!
Gallery Spotlight
Save and share the images that inspire you. Tag @allwomenstalk to get featured.
Save
6. Taking Vitamins
Surprisingly, taking vitamins is one way to relieve menstrual pain! I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise since it makes sense that what you eat makes a difference! While on your period, take supplements of zinc, calcium, and vitamin B. These are the vitamins that have been associated with reducing cramps and bloating. Also, try incorporating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables into your diet. Decrease your salt consumption and see if that makes a difference.
7. Exercise
Kind of odd to think of it this way, but exercise is one method to relieve menstrual pain. Getting active helps your muscles to relax a little bit and releases feel good endorphins in your brain. Of course, you don't want to get out there pumping iron and jogging 10 miles on your heaviest day, but in the few days leading up to your period and as much as you are able during your period, you should work exercise or at least walking into your daily routine.
8. Aromatherapy
It's no secret that aromatherapy is calming, soothing, and exhilarating all at once. So it would make sense that breathing in these aromas while on your period is one way to relieve menstrual pain! Draw yourself a nice hot bath, light a few candles, and put some aromatherapy oils in your bath water. The direct contact of them onto your tummy, plus the fact that you are breathing them in combined with the heat of your bath water will have marvelous results!
9. Massage
One of my favorite techniques to relieve menstrual pain is by massage. Yes! Massaging your stomach helps relieve menstrual pain! You can do it yourself, or have your sweetheart help you out. Gentle strokes and circular motions with light pressure on your abdomen area will help relax your muscles and relieve some of the pain and tension you are experiencing.
You see? There are many ways to relieve menstrual pain! Periods don't mean your life has to stop. Just take some action to make sure it doesn't take over your life for a few days and you will be amazed at the results you get. Have you ever tried any of these methods and ways to relieve menstrual pain? Different women suffer in different ways and have many different ways to relieve menstrual pain, so I'd love to know yours!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
Successfully subscribed!
Thank you for subscribing! Check your inbox for personalized content.
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge
I used to get cramps really bad, I missed lots of school because of it, then the doctor put me onto the pill and that seemed to work really well! I am now off the pill and I get some pain, but not nearly as much as before, I can still function. I agree with the heat and laying in the fetal position...I take co-codamol, not sure what it's called in USA if its the same, but thats paracetamol and codine together, quite strong too for over the counter. Only thing now, I swapped menstrual cramps for migranes and headaches...always get one as my period is due.
Too much caffeine can also be a cause. When I was in school, I drank coffee all the time and pop to keep up, I had the worst cramps. But when my total caffeine intake was lower (summer, breaks etc), there was significant improvement.
Hey there, I started my period at 13 and I'm now 15. My period is every other month, it's odd but that's how it's always been. I'll start around the first of a month, skip a month, and start around the first again. But ever since my first period I get unbearable cramps. There's a sharp pain and I feel like laying down and crying. I've tried midol, heating pads, showers, other pain killers, almost everything and I still get these horrible cramps. My periods usually last around six days and I'm in pain the entire time. I can't sleep or anything. It's awful. I find I also have trouble walking around if they get bad enough. I don't know what to do, I don't want to have to deal with this forever.
Taking painkillers often are bad. usually lying in a fetal position does not really works for me. but the best are just simply doing stretching/yoga exercises.
No pre marital sex, HA, don't be such a snob.
I heard that eating bananas help with cramps.
My cramps got to the point where I had to take 3 ibuprofen every 2 to 3 hrs.. not a good idea.. so I switched to pamprin and it works great for me! Oh and if anyone is worried about they're periods being every other month don't be as long as your not in so much pain nothing is working.. Then go see a doctor.
Comments
Kaz:I used to get cramps really bad, I missed lots of school because of it, then the doctor put me onto the pill and that seemed to work really well! I am now off the pill and I get some pain, but not nearly as much as before, I can still function. I agree with the heat and laying in the fetal position...I take co-codamol, not sure what it's called in USA if its the same, but thats paracetamol and codine together, quite strong too for over the counter. Only thing now, I swapped menstrual cramps for migranes and headaches...always get one as my period is due.
Danielle:Too much caffeine can also be a cause. When I was in school, I drank coffee all the time and pop to keep up, I had the worst cramps. But when my total caffeine intake was lower (summer, breaks etc), there was significant improvement.
Megan:Hey there, I started my period at 13 and I'm now 15. My period is every other month, it's odd but that's how it's always been. I'll start around the first of a month, skip a month, and start around the first again. But ever since my first period I get unbearable cramps. There's a sharp pain and I feel like laying down and crying. I've tried midol, heating pads, showers, other pain killers, almost everything and I still get these horrible cramps. My periods usually last around six days and I'm in pain the entire time. I can't sleep or anything. It's awful. I find I also have trouble walking around if they get bad enough. I don't know what to do, I don't want to have to deal with this forever.
Anna:Taking painkillers often are bad. usually lying in a fetal position does not really works for me. but the best are just simply doing stretching/yoga exercises.
Holly:No pre marital sex, HA, don't be such a snob.
Anonymous:I heard that eating bananas help with cramps.
Bethany:My cramps got to the point where I had to take 3 ibuprofen every 2 to 3 hrs.. not a good idea.. so I switched to pamprin and it works great for me! Oh and if anyone is worried about they're periods being every other month don't be as long as your not in so much pain nothing is working.. Then go see a doctor.
:
Add allwomenstalk.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
EST 2005
Evolve. Empower. Elevate.
Creators on the platform
3,000+
Total social reach
12M+
Features published
100K+
New Earn badges & level up while you read
Create your profile. Earn badges. Level up your reading.
Join Allwomenstalk to track your streaks, collect badges, and earn XP for the things you already do—reading, sharing, and taking quizzes.
🔥
Daily streaks with gentle boosts for 3, 7, and 30 days.
🏅
Collect badges like Reader I–III, Socialite, and Quiz Ace.
⚡️
Earn XP for reads, deep reads, likes, comments, and shares.
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge