Alternative ways to deal with Menstrual Pain

Whether you have suffered with menstrual pain long term, or more recently, being in pain for up to one week of every month can have a huge impact on your life. From stomach cramps to backache, everyone experiences menstrual pain differently.

Regardless of how menstrual pain affects you, this isn’t something that you just have to put up with, and there are other options beyond taking pain killers. Try these five natural and alternative ways to deal with menstrual pain…

1. Practice Yoga

Menstrual cramping is caused by the muscles of the womb contracting and relaxing to shed the built-up lining each month. A small study showed that practising yoga regularly, during menstruation and in between, could reduce period pain. It’s not clear whether this is due to the stretching of the muscles, or strengthening the muscles, or just because of the relaxing benefits that yoga provides, however, the participants in the study reported less menstrual cramping during their period.

Practising yoga during your period can also help your body produce endorphins, which have a natural pain-relieving effect. Any exercise you enjoy will help you produce endorphins.

2. Use Heat Therapy

One of the best alternative ways to reduce period pain is to use heat. Applying heat to the affected area helps relax the muscles that are responsible for the cramping and pain. Research shows that applying heat is just as effective as taking ibuprofen, and has fewer side effects.

Far more convenient than filling and refilling a hot water bottle, try Eazz for menstrual pain. Offering the same great benefits, Eazz uses a reusable natural clay pouch which can be used hot or cold. It’s comfortable and portable, so you can use it even when travelling. It also contours to your body, so that you can treat the entire affected area.

3. Massage with Essential Oils

Another great alternative treatment is massage, using essential oils that are known to aid relaxation and ease pain. Massage your lower abdomen or back for 10 minutes using lavender, peppermint, rose or fennel oil, then relax and leave the oils on the skin for on-going relief.

4. Restrict some Foods from your Diet

While it’s not necessary to cut out certain foods and drinks all year round, holding back on a few things during your period could help reduce your pain. Consider reducing or cutting out alcohol, fizzy drinks, salty foods, fatty foods and caffeine during your period, as all of these can cause water retention, which increases bloating and discomfort.

5. Introduce Herbs & Magnesium

Some herbs contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds, which can reduce cramping and swelling. Try sipping a couple of cups of chamomile tea a day during your period, as well as adding cinnamon, fennel, ginger and dill to your diet. Higher levels of magnesium in your diet can also help ease menstrual pain. Try eating almonds, yoghurt, peanut butter and spinach, or take a magnesium supplement.

While for some menstrual pain can be completely debilitating, and for others more of an inconvenience, whatever your experience, it is possible to improve menstrual pain by making some small changes and focusing on natural and alternative therapies.

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