Exercise is not something you would normally associate with uterine cramps unless it is near the time you expect your period to start. However, cramps may be a sign of a medical condition. If so, exercise might be triggering the cramps or making...
Women have long been told that exercise can help relieve pain associated with menstruation. Running --- or almost any other athletic pursuit --- can cause the release of endorphins, which act as a natural pain reliever in the body. This can help...
Ergonovine is a powerful smooth-muscle stimulant that induces the uterus and other smooth-muscle tissues to contract. Clinically, ergonovine is used to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth or an abortion. It also can be used to facilitate...
Don't let leg and uterine cramps ruin your day. When you're pregnant, you may feel cramping at any point in your pregnancy. As your body changes to accommodate your baby, your uterus may stretch, causing pain and discomfort in the upper legs and...
Tamoxifen is a drug that is used to treat breast cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, tamoxifen halts the effects of estrogen on the breasts. During pregnancy, however, estrogen production increases. Tamoxifen use should be...
Valerian, a perennial, invasive plant, is native to North America, primarily in the Northeast and Pacific West. Aside from being an ornamental flower and sometimes annoying weed, valerian often finds use as an herbal treatment. It offers a range...
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that form in the uterus. Fibroids can cause unpleasant side effects, such as uterine cramps and heavy menstruation. If you suspect you have fibroids, see your doctor for an official diagnosis and to discuss your...
Women who have not been able to achieve pregnancy after several cycles will often turn to medical or natural means in order to make their dreams come true. While some pregnancy issues can only be resolved through progressive and technical means,...
Painful menstrual periods plague many females, often starting a couple of days before their period and gradually easing after the first day or two of their period. Medically known as dysmenorrhea, painful periods, or cramps, may ease with age....
PMS, short for pre-menstrual syndrome, can affect women of all ages, including teens. PMS usually occurs a week prior to the onset of menstruation. Although there is no cure for PMS, most symptoms associated with this condition can be treated with...
While breast milk is best for your baby's nutrition and development, the nipple stimulation that naturally occurs when breastfeeding can have effects on your own body. Your nipples are covered in nerves that respond to the natural and gentle touch...
Vitex agnus-castus is the scientific name for the chaste-tree. It's a deciduous shrub native to southern Europe and western Asia, which grows to a height of five to 10 feet. Agnus castus produces aromatic purple flowers and small berries that...
Severe cramps can occur in different muscles of your body and can cause excruciating pain, even if they only last a short time. A typical muscle cramp feels like a sudden sharp spasm or contraction. Another type of cramp can accompany menstruation...
Dysmenorrhea is severe pain or cramping that you experience during menstruation. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists--or ACOG--more than half of women who have periods experience some pain for at least one to two...
Early pregnancy is a time of major change for a woman’s body. Particularly if the pregnancy is her first, her body organs shift considerably to make room for a uterus that begins to expand surprisingly soon after conception. Some of these...
Essential oils are essences taken from plants and used for their therapeutic qualities. There are a number of different types of orange essential oils on the market. You can choose from mandarin orange, sweet orange, bergamot orange and bitter...
Native to North America and a member of the buttercup family, black cohosh has traditionally been used by Native Americans to alleviate menopausal symptoms and menstrual cramps. Black cohosh is known to contain glycosides, or sugar compounds, and...
Mirena is a soft, flexible plastic intrauterine device, or IUD, placed into the uterine cavity by a physician. It is used to prevent pregnancy or in women who have heavy periods. The device must be placed within seven days of onset of the...
Lecithin is fatty material found in plant and animal tissues, especially soybeans and egg yolks. The main component of lecithin is phosphatidylcholine, which is present in various human tissues, especially your blood, bile, brain and nerves....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that pregnant women get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day, but that doesn't mean pregnancy is an ideal time to take up running. While practiced runners may continue light...
The root of Cimicifuga racemosa, known as black cohosh, is mainly used for relieving unpleasant symptoms of menopause, premenstruation and menstruation. As of 2011, research results are mixed as to whether the herb is effective for these purposes,...
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on the branches of other trees. In European folklore, mistletoe is considered magical, an aphrodisiac and symbol of fertility, and it has a long history as a medicinal plant. In the modern era, mistletoe...
Chamomile tea, a traditional drink mild enough for small children, is nonetheless powerful enough to treat a number of maladies, from insomnia to stomach pain. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) notes that while both German and Roman...
Raspberry leaf tea boasts a legendary reputation among midwives and holistic-minded pregnant women. "Take it for the six weeks before your baby is due, and you should sail through childbirth," promises "The Green Witch Herbal" author Barbara...
During a healthy pregnancy, the placenta--an organ that develops within the uterus--provides oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the developing fetus. Placenta previa occurs if the placenta becomes abnormally implanted at the base of the...
There is no way of knowing whether cramping and spotting is a concern when triggered by exercise, such a situp. The best course is to assume it's a problem and see your doctor. Abdominal pain can be attributed to normal muscle soreness, but the...
At 14 weeks into your pregnancy you are now in your second trimester. From head to bottom, your baby measures 3 1/2 inches---about the size of a lemon---and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces, reports Baby Center. Now that you have entered your second...
Breastfeeding can be a very painful experience for new mothers, particularly if your nipples are still tender and not prepared for nursing or if you have a clogged milk duct. Over time, your nipples will toughen and nursing will become painless,...
It may be difficult to decide which pregnancy symptoms you should bring to the attention of your doctor, because there are so many different symptoms that a woman may experience during the nine months of pregnancy. However, if you encounter any of...
