Ways to stop period cramps(4/4)
Menstrual cramps are painful sensations that affect many people before and during a menstrual period.
The pain, also known as dysmenorrhea or period pain, ranges from dull and bothersome to severe and extreme. Menstrual cramps begin after ovulation when the ovaries release an egg that travels down the fallopian tube.
Pain can affect the lower abdomen and lower back. In about 10% of people who menstruate, the discomfort is severe enough to affect their daily life for 1–3 days each month.
Pain that only occurs with menstruation is known as primary dysmenorrhea. Secondary dysmenorrhea is period pain that stems from a medical problem, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Here are the last three remedies you can try to stop the pain.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
The hormone prostaglandin can cause muscle contractions and pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen can provide fast-acting relief by reducing the number of prostaglandins in your body. For best results, only take OTC medicines when you start to feel cramps.
Try alternative medicine
Some people find relief with alternative medicine practices like acupuncture and acupressure. Acupuncture is a practice that stimulates the body by placing needles in the skin. Acupressure stimulates the body without hands by putting pressure on specific points of the body. These practices can help you relax, release muscle tension and improve blood flow throughout your body.
Start hormonal birth control.
Birth control can stop period pain if a hormone imbalance causes cramps. Balancing your levels of estrogen and progesterone helps thin the uterine lining so it sheds more easily. Hormonal birth control also regulates the length and frequency of your period. Some forms of birth control can completely alleviate period cramps by stopping your period altogether. Talk to your OB-GYN about birth control options, including pills, birth control shots, or hormonal IUD. Then, you’ll be able to choose the type of birth control that works best for you.
If you’ve tried all the treatments on this list and still have painful periods, or you want to know upfront which option(s) will work best for you, talk to your primary care doctor or OB-GYN. At HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, our women’s health doctors can prescribe more potent treatments for menstrual cramps. A little help from a doctor might be the best way to stop dreading your periods.
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