When a woman goes through her “time of the month,” she experiences period pain because of a menstrual disorder called dysmenorrhea. This disorder can cause severe discomfort and menstrual cramps that are difficult to handle.

 This article will share some great tried and tested home remedies to treat your cramps or reduce period pain.

• Menstrual cramps are caused by uterine muscle contractions triggered by prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals involved in inflammation and pain.
• Chronic stress can amplify the perception of menstrual pain, making cramps feel more intense than they might otherwise.
• Regular consumption of anti-inflammatory foods, like turmeric and walnuts, may reduce period discomfort over time.
• Vitamin B6, found in bananas and potatoes, can help alleviate PMS symptoms, including mood swings and bloating.
• The body’s pain threshold is often lower during menstruation, which can make common aches feel more severe.

Before we rush into remedies and how to use them, you must first understand the cause of period pain. There are six main causes of painful periods, which include:

PMS is the most common reason for period cramps and premenstrual syndrome. This syndrome starts before your periods begin and can be used as a menstrual cycle tracker. It continues till day two of your menstruation. 

The reason behind PMS is the hormonal imbalance of progesterone and estrogen. The symptoms of PMS include menstrual cramps, easy irritability, and fatigue.

The premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a rare but severe form of PMS. The cause of this disorder is still unknown. Still, women who experience depression and stress more often or have a family history of depression are at a higher risk of PMDD. 

The symptoms of this disorder are like premenstrual syndrome. Still, it is incredibly painful, and the cramps can get quite intense.

Ovarian cysts are another common cause of period pain since they develop in the ovaries, which induces pain and develops complications. While small cysts develop in women and naturally fade with time, the larger ones become a cause of concern. 

Sometimes PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a condition that creates a hormonal imbalance in the body, causes harmless small cysts to grow in the ovaries. 

 But with this condition, you can struggle with getting pregnant and get painful periods.

Fibroids grow in your uterine lining, which is benign and very small. It is impossible to see them with your naked eye. However, they can cause severe menstrual bleeding and incredibly painful cramps. 

The uterine lining is known as the endometrium and is present inside your uterus. However, if you struggle with endometriosis, your endometrium grows outside of the uterus, in other parts of your organs, such as the fallopian tube or ovaries. 

So when periods start and your body sheds the uterine tissue, the endometrium becomes trapped, leading to heavy bleeding, severe cramps, and irritation.

Suppose the ovaries and uterus get infected with bacteria via sexually transmitted infection. In that case, this is called a pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID. This disease can occur during a surgical operation as well. 

Sometimes women do not experience any symptoms of PID, but sometimes it causes severe cramps.

Now that you know the causes of menstrual cramps and pain, let’s find out how to treat them. There are medicines you can take to relieve period pain, but it is recommended to avoid them. There are many home remedies for period pain. 

These remedies are safe and can be practiced without altering your period cycle.

Regarding cramps and period pain, exercise in your routine can be beneficial. Yoga is one of the best exercises to help with period pain. It helps soothe the pain, and while doing it, you must focus on areas such as the lower back, belly, thighs, and pelvis. 

This will help relax the muscles and make your periods less painful.

When your uterine lining sheds, it causes inflammatory cramping, which contracts the muscles and puts pressure on the uterus. Drinking herbal tea during this time can reduce the contraction and ease the period of cramps. 

Some ideal herbal teas you can include in your routine are chamomile tea, ginger, cinnamon, fennel seeds, and dill tea. Also, it is better to drink it before your periods get better results.

Staying hydrated by drinking more water helps to reduce bloating, which reduces the period pain. Drinking around eight glasses of water a day is recommended, and you can add in some lemon or mint to make it palatable. 

Reduce salt in your diet to avoid bloating and steer clear of alcohol since it leads to dehydration. It is no secret that some women deal with vomiting during periods, and staying hydrated helps deal with the fluid loss during the monthly cycle.

Body aches during periods, and menstrual cramps can be relieved by a massage. Using aromatic essential oils help in reducing pain and makes your periods bearable for you. Some helpful oils include clary sage essential oil, lavender oil, and marjoram essential oil. 

It is advised to get a professional massage since they know the right massage points to ease the pain.

Adding more magnesium items into your diet can help deal with cramps and pain during menstruation. Magnesium can be found in food items such as peanut butter, spinach, almonds, yogurt, and black beans. You can also opt for magnesium supplements.

One of the easiest methods to relieve menstrual cramps is by applying heat via a heating pad. You can even use a hot water bottle; this tip relaxes the uterus muscles and reduces period pain. Heat improves the flow of blood and helps in keeping tension away. 

If you do not have a water bottle or heating pad at hand, taking a hot bath or shower works just the same.

Diet plays a crucial role in reducing period cramps and helps in reducing inflammation, constipation, bloating, and more. Women on a vegetarian and low-fat diet find period cramps less painful since they have a better blood flow. 

Food such as caffeine, salty food, carbonated drinks, and alcohol reduce water retention and induce cramps and pain during periods.

Every woman experiences period pain, but the severity varies from person to person. Some feel mild cramps, while some undergo severe cramps. The good news is that you can always manage it by following the right remedies. 

If you do not favor taking medicines, then the remedies mentioned above can help. Keep these tips in your mind for a pleasant monthly cycle.