Pain during your period can interrupt your life and make it difficult to perform regular activities. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that more than half of all menstruating women experience pain every month. This pain, which can be sharp cramping or a dull ache, might start just before your period begins, or it might appear at the beginning of your period. You can usually manage mild cramping yourself by using self-comfort measures, but severe pain warrants a visit to your doctor to rule out serious medical issues.
Add Heat and Warmth
Relaxing in a warm bath or placing a heating pad—set on low—over your lower stomach can often relieve pain as effectively as over-the-counter medications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Make sure you do not fall asleep with the heating pad on because it can burn your skin. Medline Plus also suggests drinking warm beverages to soothe the pain.
Change Your Diet
Implementing dietary changes, especially during menstruation, can potentially lessen uncomfortable cramping and bloating. Eat several small meals each day instead of large, heavy ones, and make sure you get plenty of complex carbohydrates found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, salt and sugar. Medline Plus also suggests adding calcium, magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements to your daily health regimen.
Use Relaxation Techniques
Yoga, meditation, massage and acupressure or acupuncture can help you cope with painful periods—although they do not prevent or treat the pain. Try lightly massaging your lower abdomen with your fingertips. Other relaxing activities, including exercise and sex, can also have a positive effect on menstrual pain. ACOG suggests that aerobic exercise such as swimming or running can create chemicals that physically block pain. Some women find that orgasm during sex helps relieve painful cramping.
Take Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce your body’s production of prostaglandins, which can help decrease the severity of your cramps. For optimal pain management, take the medications at the onset of period pain. ACOG cautions that you can usually only take most of these medications for one to two days, so carefully follow the manufacturer’s directions to avoid overusing the medications. If your pain is severe, your doctor might also recommend using hormonal contraception like the pill, the patch or the ring to control your cramping.
