PMS or premenstrual syndrome is characterized by cramps. PMS starts a few days before period. Its symptoms vary from mood swings, bloating, nausea, headache to irritability. Here are some tips to alleviate PMS.
It's that time of month again,
and you just want to crawl into bed and lie down till the pain
subsides, or till the painkiller has done its job. But there are better
ways to counter cramps.
Cramps and PMS
First, let us see what
causes cramps. We get cramps because the lining of the uterus releases
a substance called prostaglandins. This causes contractions often
causes the uterus to go into spasms, which is what causes pain, and may even lead to lightheadedness, dizziness and nausea. Menstrual cramps
begin after you have started your period, while pre-menstrual syndrome
or PMS starts a few days before your period, and includes mood swings,
bloating, nausea, headache and a general feeling of unease and
irritability.
Walking
It may be impossible to walk when you are in the throes of pain, but before the pain begins, it helps if you have been walking around or doing some light exercise. Walking
improves circulation to the pelvic organs and reduces muscle tension.
Try doing when the cramps strike. If you are physically
fit and exercise regularly, you are less likely to suffer painful
periods.
Acupressure
Try applying pressure to the area
between the bones between your big toe and the second toe, which is
just around a cm below the two toes. This acupressure point is known as
Liver 3. Applying pressure here relives menstrual discomfort.
Tea
Drink a glass of warm water with a
teaspoon of turmeric powder (haldi), or ginger tea. These relax uterine
muscles and relieve cramping. Similarly, chamomile or mint tea also
help reduce pain.
Hot water bottle
Lie down and place a hot water bottle on your stomach, back or legs, whatever gives you the most relief.
Massage
If your back hurts during
your period, massaging it with eucalyptus oil can be very effective.
Similarly, massaging your back, stomach, legs or any body part that
hurts with a lotion that contains chamomile or with evening primrose oil can be very effective. Do not massage yourself with evening primrose oil when pregnant though.
Pill
The Pill may be a good birth control option for women suffering from severe menstrual cramps,
as women on the pill rarely suffer from cramps. But when you get off
the pill the cramps return with the same intensity as earlier.
Caffeine
Cut down your caffeine intake. Too much caffeine can aggravate not just menstrual cramping, but also menopausal hot flashes. And remember, caffeine is not found only in coffee but also in chocolate, black and green tea and many soft drinks.
Bath
Soak yourself in a warm bath for
around fifteen minutes. If you don't have the time to do this, when you
do shower, make sure you shower with warm water. Avoid taking a cold
shower, as it will aggravate the pain. Similarly, some women report
having severe cramps on days they washed their hair so avoid washing
your hair on the days of your period that are the most painful for you.
Sex
If you are susceptible to urinary
infections, don't have sex during your period. The cervix - the opening
to the uterus, widens during menstruation, to help blood and uterine
tissue flow out. This widening leaves the uterus more vulnerable to
infection.
Name:
Coral
Country: U.S.A.
this article has helped me wonders. about the caffeine... i love green tea and all of the fitness pros say it's good to have green tea extract in you. but, you're saying that it would help to make the cramps even worse. should i avoid it during this time of the month??
Name:
priya
Country: India
if your cramps are not that severe than you can even apply 'brandy' to that part of your body i'm sure you'll feel better. bye take care.
Name:
Aparna
Country: India
hi .. the pills named cyclopam and buscopan .. .u can take any one of the above named pills both are effective to releive the pain during periods.
Name:
Aparna
Country: U.S.A.
hi .. this article has given me a lot of information .. i would aslo like to know about ways to control heavy bleeding during periods. plsss i wish some one gives me a tip that i can do at home .. as i suffer from heavy bleeding and severe cramps during periods and the bleeding exist for atleast 5-6 days after three days of periods.
Name:
Dr Geeta
Country: South Africa
hie i am a gynac and i have sen a number of girls who come to me complaining of menstrual cramps that nearlly kill them . yes i too had severe cramps as a child and that was bad . my cramps were so bad that i once threw up at a social function . after delivering my son who is now two , my cramps have subsided alot , in fact i harldly bother more than the pad . funny i don't een have the pms innsue any more
however recently i read something which i'd like to share with all readers . what you should do to avoid vramps is , the very 1st time you get your period consume raw egg with coconut oil for 13 days . you will have comfortable periods . in my opinion it is alos not too late if you have already strted . try thr same thing . eating a half boiled egg is also useful .
in this bird flu era though as my colleague says will you try it?
Name: Country: gambia
Name:
Tracy
Country: usa
try midol cramp formula. i have cramps so bad they are a 10+!!! the only over the counter drug that works.
Name:
mn
Country: india
can you tell any pill name used to control cramps
Name:
Jennifer Simmons
Country: usa
the best thing is tylenol
Name:
jasmine
Country: india
this is more of a question,i recently underwent d&c abortion.when will i start ovulationg again??and when will my normal menstrual cycle return? thnx in advance for answers.
Name:
GHT
Country: kenya
think meditation!! this will also relieve the horrible cramps we all get but hey try your best and you will live those awful days every month. also just think,every girl has them so do not worry. it isn't just you! bye y'all!!
Name:
Marissa M.
Country: usa
try eating green veggies and life will be sooooooo muck easier!!! by the way, cheese is also good!!!!!!!!! auf wiedersehen!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
Name:
Butter
Country: usa
avoiding caffine really helped me. now i can exercise and be pain free!!!
Name:
barbara
Country: canada
thany you!
very useful information expecially the info about caffeine.
i took some chast berry and it really seemed to do wonders
Name:
Jess
Country: usa
well, good to know that several of the components of my life make me suffer! *sigh*, no more coffee..and i better start exercising
Name:
Amber
Country: usa
this helped me alot. i do however have a question. i have been on the pill for about 5 years (for cramps, they were horrible before)and my husband and i have been married 3 years and want to have a baby but, i am afraid if i get off the pill the cramps will came back. what do i do. i am speaking to the doc in the morning but, i was just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation. thanks amber
Name:
Tamika
Country: usa
the article is very helpful. i have been getting a lot more caffeine in my diet lately and am having worse cramps. i tried other sites but this one was the best so far.
