5 Natural Remedies to Relieve Painful Period Cramps

One of the symptoms of painful period cramps is heavy bleeding, which can cause you to lose a lot of blood — something that is especially risky if you are already iron deficient. Drinking water regularly is a natural remedy that can help relieve your period cramps by ensuring you do not become dehydrated and help clear your digestive system. Women tend to have more bowel movements during their menstrual cycle, so drinking water will ensure you avoid constipation. It is also important to avoid highly caffeinated liquids or alcohol, which can lead to dehydration and further worsen your period experience. Drinking water can also shorten the length of your menstrual bleeding since it helps reduce uterine contractions and pelvic pain. Women online have also shared that drinking infused water such as cucumber water, lemon water, ginger water, or even pickle juice has had positive effects on their severe cramps.

Another natural remedy that has been effective in relieving painful period cramps is drinking herbal teas. Ginger tea particularly aids in pain and muscle relaxation, which provides relief for your uterine contractions, in addition to being anti-inflammatory. Peppermint tea is also known to relax the uterine muscle, which can provide natural relief for period cramps. Raspberry leaf tea is highly recommended, not only during your period but also a week before your period, as it can drastically reduce the severity of your cramps. It is known for toning the uterine muscle, which can ease the contraction pains experienced during your period. Chamomile tea is another popular option amongst women since it reduces period pain while also aiding in sleep and relaxation. Any herbal teas that are anti-inflammatory or help with your digestion, such as turmeric, fennel, cinnamon, oolong, or green tea, are great natural remedies that can relieve your painful periods.

Applying heat over your pelvic area is another effective natural remedy that can drastically reduce the severity of your painful period cramping. Heat helps relax your muscles, reduce inflammation, and improve your blood flow. Taking a hot bath throughout your period will calm the tension in your body, specifically your abdomen, pelvis, and lower back, which is also impacted by period cramps. If a bath is not accessible or too time-consuming, then taking a hot shower and concentrating on the pelvic area is a great alternative that can still provide relief. If you don’t have a heating pad to place on your pelvis, then using a hot towel is a home remedy that can provide temporary relief. You can reheat it by soaking it in hot water, rinsing it, and applying it to your lower abdomen or lower back.

While exercise may be the least desirable option on the list due to the intense pain that comes with severe period cramps, it is a helpful practice to reduce uterine contractions. When it comes to exercising, you must listen to your body and determine how much it can handle depending on your energy level. Light exercise such as yoga is encouraged because not only does it improve your relaxation, but it also allows you to gently stretch the cramping muscles. Yoga is a natural remedy that addresses the lack of oxygen that causes painful period cramps by allowing you to improve the body’s blood circulation. It is also a great remedy to improve your mental health, which can be severely impacted during your period due to irregular hormonal changes. You can easily search for yoga poses that specifically help relieve period cramps to utilize this remedy at home.

While it may be an unconventional natural remedy due to the stigma surrounding period sex, having an orgasm is proven to drastically reduce painful period cramps. This is due to the contraction and relaxation of the uterus during an orgasm, which can relieve severe cramping. Another benefit of orgasms is the feel-good hormones released, including endorphins and oxytocin, that relieve pelvic pain in addition to releasing stress. Another added benefit of this natural remedy is increased blood circulation in the uterus, which helps spread oxygen and relieve pain. Orgasms during your period also help shorten your cycle and improve your sleeping, which is especially needed during that time of the month. If your partner is uncomfortable with the messiness of period sex, then using a menstrual disc can allow you to comfortably have penetrative sex. Alternatively, masturbating by focusing on clitoral stimulation or using sex toys will allow you to experience orgasms by yourself. Orgasms for painful period cramps are highly underrated, but destigmatizing period sex and exploring various sexual methods during your period can ease your cramping.