I have always had really bad period cramps, and I am not a huge fan of taking pain medication for it. My cramps also last for a couple days, which makes it really hard to focus on anything else. I have asked around a lot and have done some research myself to find ways to help get rid of cramps. Here are some remedies.
- exercise
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I know no one wants to hear this, but exercise actually helps a lot. It is one of the hardest things to do, especially when you want to just lay in bed and rest. I have looked up a couple websites and a majority of them say that consistent exercise helps a lot with reducing period cramps. At least three times a week of any kind of physical exercise helps. Some examples are yoga, running, biking and swimming. Many websites mentioned that any kind of aerobic exercise helps with cramps. When I was younger, I would do a lot of sports and have practice everyday and my period cramps would basically be nonexistent. Now, I don’t have as much time, but last month I was able to workout three times a week. The week before my cramps started I worked out everyday, and while my cramps did not completely go away, the severity of the cramps greatly decreased.
- tea
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There are many types of teas that help with period cramps. My friend loves peppermint tea and it frequently works for her. She drinks it consistently, but tries to drink it several nights before her period starts. I tried this method once when my cramps came on my second day, and it did not work as well for me unfortunately. Although, there are many websites that say that tea helps with period cramps.
- heating pad
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This is one that many people have heard of as well. This works for me when my cramps are not as painful. This helps relax the muscles of your uterus so its blood flow can increase and reduce your pain.
Here’s a quick reminder that you should always check with your doctor if your cramps are very severe. I use many of these techniques to help reduce my period cramps, sometimes combining them. I hope these techniques work for you, but always remember that it is okay to do whatever you need to help reduce your cramps. I understand that it is very hard to deal with cramps, especially when you have a million other things to do, but it is okay to take some rest and help your body first.