Menstrual pain: How to soothe it?

❓ It 's that time of the month again - and for many women, that can mean period pain! Whether it's cramps, headaches or mood swings, period pain can be unbearable. But maybe with a few simple lifestyle adjustments, you can find relief from your discomfort. 

✔️ So if you're looking for ways to make your monthly cycle more bearable, read on for some helpful tips on how to get rid of menstrual pain.

What is menstrual pain? 

🩸 Menstrual pain, also known as dysmenorrhea, is localized in the lower abdomen and may extend to the lower back or legs. Menstrual pain is abdominal or pelvic cramps that occur before or during menstruation. It is caused by uterine contractions and may be accompanied by nausea, headaches, fatigue and mood changes. 

👉 Pain is unique to each person, which is why it is difficult to make a generalization. Very often, the pain appears a few days before or on the same day of bleeding and can last several days. 

❌ However, some women may experience severe period pain that interferes with their daily life. If menstrual pain is very severe or interferes with your daily life, it is recommended that you see a doctor.

How to relieve pain? 

👩🦰 Menstrual pain cannot be ignored and proves to be very disruptive on a daily basis. Apart from the medications prescribed by your doctor, a few simple tips to implement can help you reduce the intensity or frequency of these pains. 

Eat anti-inflammatory foods

🥥 When you suffer from period pain, don't hesitate to adjust your diet and eat more anti-inflammatory foods. These foods can help you reduce the intensity of the pain. 

Here are some examples of foods that have anti-inflammatory properties:

• Green leafy vegetables: spinach, collard greens, kale and broccoli, are rich in vitamins and minerals and have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Fruits: Strawberries, blueberries, oranges and mangoes are rich in vitamins C and E to calm inflammation.
• Whole grains: Whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice and oats, are rich in fiber and nutrients and have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Nuts and seeds: Nuts, such as almonds and cashews, and seeds, such as flax and chia seeds, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Oily fish: Oily fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to fight inflammation.

👉 It is recommended to avoid tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, which can make menstrual cramps worse.

Take a green tea cure

Green tea can actually be beneficial for relieving menstrual pain in a number of ways:

• It contains antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and pain.
• It can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce stress, which can help reduce cramps.
• It can prevent dehydration, which can make menstrual cramps worse.

👉 It is recommended to drink one to two cups a day during the period. It is also important to note that green tea can interfere with some medications.

Get some exercise

🏃 Exercise can help reduce inflammation and relax muscles, which can decrease the intensity and frequency of menstrual cramps. In addition, exercise can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce stress, which can otherwise help reduce cramps. Regular physical activity is recommended, but it's important to listen to your body. Don't overdo it during your period if you are tired or have severe cramps.

You can choose to practice yoga or do some stretching to warm up and bring down your muscles gently. 

👉 Physical activity helps relax muscles and reduce inflammation to reduce your period pain.

Drink more liquids

💧 Drinking enough water can help you flush toxins from your body, which can reduce inflammation and pain. Plus, drinking water keeps you hydrated, which can prevent dehydration, which can make period pain worse. 

Help yourself to the heat

✔️ Using heat can be an effective way to relieve period pain. Heat can provide relief from menstrual pain as it relaxes the muscles of the uterus and reduces inflammation, which can reduce the intensity of cramps. Here are some ways to use heat to relieve menstrual pain:

• Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to the lower abdomen.
• Take a hot bath or shower.

Uses essential oils

🍃 Essential oils can be used to relieve menstrual pain, as they have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help reduce inflammation and pain. In addition, some essential oils can have calming and soothing effects that can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can also help relieve period cramps.

Not my problem, the oil serum for menstrual pain

🧴 Not my problem is a serum rich in essential oils that you can use to massage your lower abdomen before and during menstrual pain. Specially selected for their antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, these essential oils relieve your back and lower belly pain. 

🙌 Applied in massage, Not my Problem serum also allows you to relax your muscles and thus soothe cramps thanks to its warming action.