Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps - Causes,
Symptoms, and Treatment
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Introduction

• It is common for many women to experience some
  pain, cramping, and discomfort during their
  monthly period cycle. Every menstruation cycle
  results in the shedding of the uterine lining
  that passes through the cervix and the vaginal
  canal. While some amount of pain and cramping is
  normal during this process, if the pain is
  unbearable and interferes with your day-to-day
  life, it may be a cause for concern.

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What is Dysmenorrhea???

• Dysmenorrhea is the medical term used to depict
  painful or troublesome periods. Dysmenorrhea is
  classified into primary and secondary.
• Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common type. The
  condition causes cramping pain in the lower
  abdomen. The pain can start 1-2 days before the
  period begins and can last 2-4 days.
• Secondary dysmenorrhea is the type when the
  cramps are caused due to an underlying medical
  condition such as endometriosis, uterine
  fibroids, adenomyosis, and cervical stenosis.
  Pain associated with a health condition usually
  arises before and/or during the menstrual period.

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What Causes Dysmenorrhea?

• Due to the uterine contractions, the muscles of
  uterus tighten and relaxes which allow the blood
  to leave the uterus which is associated with
  cramps. The level of chemical prostaglandin
  remains high before the menstruation begins which
  acts as a trigger for the muscle contractions in
  the uterus. If the uterus contracts too strongly,
  it can press against surrounding blood vessels,
  cutting off the oxygen supply to the muscle
  tissues of the uterus. The high levels of
  prostaglandins, the increased strength in
  contractions, and the brief loss of oxygen supply
  to the muscles result in pain, nausea, diarrhoea,
  and dizziness in many women.

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What are the Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea?

• Common symptoms a women experience is,
• Lower back pain
• Cramps in the lower area of the abdomen. This
  pain can range from dull, mild aches to
  throbbing, unbearable pain.
• Few associated symptoms include,
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loose bowel movement
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Light-headedness or Headache

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When to Seek Medical Advice???

• If the pain associated with the period is
  disturbing to perform daily activities, it would
  be a good idea to talk to consult a
  gynaecologist. If your symptoms worsen from
  nausea and dizziness to passing blood clots,
  severe pelvic pain when not menstruating, fever,
  and foul-smelling vaginal discharge, it could be
  a sign of infection or another condition
  pertaining to your reproductive organs. Any
  condition if left untreated can cause scar tissue
  that damages the pelvic organs and may lead to
  infertility.
• Diagnosis is arrived through checking the medical
  history to check for any underlying issues that
  are causing your painful periods. Physical
  examination will include a pelvic examination to
  check for any abnormalities or signs of infection
  in your reproductive system. Advanced imaging
  tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI to
  give a more precise diagnosis.

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Home Remedies for Dysmenorrhea
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1. FENNEL SEEDS

• Fennel seeds is a good option to reduce periods
  due to severe menstrual cramps. It should be
  taken 4times a day for 3 days prior to the start
  of their menstrual cycle. Researches revealed
  that fennel inhibits uterine contractions that
  are stimulated by prostaglandins.

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2. CUMIN SEEDS

• Roast the cumin seeds until it turns a black
  colour. Boiling the water and add the roasted the
  cumin seeds to the water and take during the time
  of menstrual cycle. This will help to reduce the
  severe cramps since cumin has a relaxing effect,
  and its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory
  properties are useful for getting rid of the pain.

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3. GINGER

• Chew the freshly cleaned ginger 2-3times during
  menstrual cramps. It is believed that the
  anti-inflammatory property of ginger helps to
  soothe the uterine muscles. It also inhibits
  prostaglandin secretion which leads to reduced
  pain during the menstrual cramps.

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4. CASTOR OIL

• Gentle massage to the umbilicus with castor oil
  considerably helps in reducing the cramps. It can
  also be used in the form of a cloth pack. A cloth
  dipped in castor oil, make a pack and leave this
  pack on the abdomen for 30 mins. This castor oil
  pack helps to ease pain and Inflammation

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