Using a heated bag or wrap on your abdomen can help relax the\u00a0muscles of your uterus. It\u2019s these muscles that cause period\u00a0cramps.\u00a0
Heat can also boost circulation in your abdomen, which can\u00a0reduce pain.\u00a0
According to a\u00a0study, wearing a heat wrap for cramps is actually\u00a0more effective than taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain\u00a0relieve.\u00a0
Besides being effective at easing pain and cramps, the research also showed that participants who used a heat wrap had less fatigue and mood swings.
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Take an OTC pain reliever <\/strong> Stay Hydrated <\/strong> Try massage therapy <\/strong> Eat healthy <\/strong> Exercise <\/strong> Yoga <\/strong> Sleep Smart <\/strong> Stay away from Caffeine <\/strong> Acupressure <\/strong> Treat yourself to a bath\u200b <\/strong> Avoid Salty Foods <\/strong> Talk to your doctor <\/strong> Disclaimer:<\/strong> The advice provided is intended for informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.\u00a0\u00a0Consult with your doctor if you\u2019re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.\u200b<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Cramps affect many women before and during their period.\u00a0 The pain from period cramps can be extreme and make\u00a0a serious dent in daily life.\u00a0 There are steps you can take to gain back control on\u00a0how much pain you feel during your period. Use Heat Using a heated bag or wrap on your abdomen can help […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3791"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3791\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen and aspirin are\u00a0effective treatments for period cramps.\u00a0
These medications work best if they\u2019re taken at the first\u00a0sign of cramps or pain.\u00a0
Be sure to take only as directed and talk to your doctor\u00a0first if you have a history of heart, liver, or kidney\u00a0problems, or if you have asthma, ulcers, or bleeding\u00a0disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Bloating can cause discomfort and make menstrual\u00a0cramps worse.\u00a0
Drinking water can reduce bloating during your period\u00a0and alleviate some of the pain it causes.\u00a0
Also, drinking hot water can help relax pain. This can\u00a0lessen cramps caused by uterine contractions.\u00a0
When your period is coming, keep a water bottle\u00a0handy, and toss in some mint or a squeeze of lemon to\u00a0encourage you to drink.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/woman-relaxing-spa.jpg\")
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One study found that\u00a0massage therapy significantly\u00a0reduced menstrual pain in women with endometriosis.
Massages may reduce uterine spasms by relaxing the\u00a0uterus. In order to most effectively manage period\u00a0cramps, massage therapy should focus on the\u00a0abdominal area.\u00a0
But a full body massage that reduces your overall\u00a0stress may also help to relieve menstrual cramps.\u00a0
Oils that seem to be most effective at reducing period\u00a0cramps include rose, lavender etc.
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Stick to a low-fat, high-fiber diet: whole grains, lentils\u00a0and beans, vegetables (especially leafy dark-green\u00a0ones), fruits, and nuts to help ease the pain.\u00a0
Nutrients such as vitamins E, B1, and B6, magnesium,\u00a0zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids cut back on the\u00a0hormone-like substances responsible for those painful\u00a0cramps or help relieve muscle tension and\u00a0inflammation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/sauna_pink-Copy.jpg\")
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Low-to-medium intensity aerobic exercise can help\u00a0reduce pain caused by period cramps.\u00a0
Scientists found that women who did 30 minutes of\u00a0aerobic exercise three days a week, for eight weeks,\u00a0showed significant reductions in period cramps.\u00a0
To fit an aerobic workout into your schedule, consider\u00a0biking to work, going for a brisk walk at lunchtime,\u00a0dancing to your favorite tunes, or playing a sport you\u00a0enjoy.\u00a0
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A study\u00a0suggests that, like aerobic exercise, yoga can\u00a0also be helpful at reducing period cramps.\u00a0
Experts found that women who participated in a 60-minute yoga class once a week for 12 weeks showed\u00a0significant reductions in their period pain.\u00a0\u00a0
Try\u00a0a class with both a physical and a relaxation\u00a0component.\u00a0
Research suggests this combination is most effective at\u00a0reducing pain from period cramps.\u00a0
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Sleep might not come easily when you have severe\u00a0cramps.\u00a0
To make the most of your night's rest, avoid taking\u00a0your smartphone to bed.\u00a0
Wind down with a calming bedtime routine in the days\u00a0leading up to your period like some light instrumental\u00a0music.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Caffeine can make cramps worse, so steer clear of\u00a0coffee before and during your period.\u00a0
Make sure you're not sneaking it in with soda, energy\u00a0drinks, chocolate, or tea.\u00a0
If you need a morning or midday pick-me-up, try a\u00a0small smoothie packed with veggies and fruits instead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/foot-massage-service.jpg\")
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Touching key places on your belly, back, and feet can\u00a0increase blood flow and release endorphins to soothe\u00a0both your body and mind for a little while.\u00a0
There's also a spot in the fleshy part between your\u00a0thumb and index finger that relieves aches and pain.\u00a0
See a trained, certified expert to help you find those\u00a0points and explain how to stimulate them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Soaking in a warm bathtub is another way to surround\u00a0your pelvic muscles with the warmth they need to\u00a0relax.\u00a0
You can enhance the pain-relieving power of a good\u00a0soak by adding a few drops of essential oils like\u00a0lavender, sage, or rose\u00a0to your bathwater.\u00a0
Try to relax in a warm bath for at least 15 minutes to\u00a0get the most benefits from it.\u00a0
Don't have a bathtub? A warm shower can be soothing,\u00a0too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Potato](\"https:\/\/www.healthvectors.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/potato_chipsbowl-Copy.jpg\")
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It's\u00a0a good idea to avoid certain foods that can cause\u00a0water retention, bloating, and discomfort
Some types of foods to stay away from when you have\u00a0cramps include salty and fatty foods.\u00a0
According to a study, a low-fat, vegetarian diet can\u00a0help reduce period pain and premenstrual syndrome\u00a0(PMS) symptoms.
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For most women, cramps are normal, but sometimes\u00a0they're a sign of a more serious condition.
Birth control pill can stop period pain\u00a0if cramps are\u00a0caused by a hormone imbalance.\u00a0
Balancing your levels of estrogen and progesterone\u00a0helps thin the uterine lining so it sheds more easily.\u00a0
Talk to your OB-GYN to\u00a0be able to\u00a0choose the type of\u00a0birth control pill that works best for you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n