How can i relieve menstrual cramps

Are you pregnant, or is it merely late? Bloating is a common premenstrual symptom. Here are tips for managing and reducing the effects of period bloating. In women, fluctuating hormone levels are a major contributing factor in chronic headaches and menstrual migraines. Learn about causes, treatment, and…. Premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness are common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. You've suspected that your asthma symptoms might be worsening around your period. And you're not crazy.

Here's what science says about it. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. Why menstrual cramps happen.

Taking over-the-counter OTC medications. Applying heat. Massaging with essential oils. Having an orgasm. Avoiding certain foods. Adding herbs to your diet. Herb or supplement Dosage Does it work? You may benefit more if you drink it every month.

A review of studies reports chamomile tea increases urinary levels of glycine , which helps relieve muscle spasms. Glycine also acts as a nerve relaxant. A study looked at girls and women 15 to 24 years old. The group that took the extract reported feeling relief. The placebo group reported none. In , women who took cinnamon capsules in a study reported less bleeding, pain, nausea, and vomiting compared to the placebo group.

One study of university students found that mg of ginger powder four times a day for three days helped with pain relief. It also concluded ginger was as effective as ibuprofen. French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol Take 60 mg of French maritime pine bark extract per day during your cycle.

This can help with more moderate menstrual pain. A study found that women who took 60 mg of French maritime pine bark extract per day during their cycle reported less pain. According to the study, the benefits increase as you take the pill and continue even after you stop.

A study concluded 1, mg dill was as effective for easing menstrual cramps as mefenamic acid , an OTC drug for menstrual pain.

How diet and exercise can help in the long run. When to see a doctor. How to Make a Homemade Heating Pad. PMS Symptoms vs. Pregnancy Symptoms. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. During menstruation, hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins trigger the uterus to contract to help your body get rid of the uterine lining.

Get the answers to your most burning period poop questions, from wiping tips to how to keep your tampon string clean. We'll let you in on a secret: It's not just you — period farts are a very real thing. We'll dive into why they happen, what makes them smell so awful…. Cramps are a pain, but a heating pad may help. Here are 10 options, including electrical, microwaveable, and more. Abdominal cramps are a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome PMS , but how early can you feel them?

Learn about the relationship between perimenopause and depression. Discover the links between mood swings, depression, and fluctuating levels of…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Period Cramps Getting You Down? Try These 10 Remedies. Use a heat patch. Massage your tummy with essential oils. Take an OTC pain reliever.

Soak in a tub. Do yoga. Take supplements. Avoid caffeine and salty foods. Stay hydrated. Try acupressure. What causes period cramps? When should you see a doctor? The bottom line. Read this next. During the pelvic exam, your doctor will check for abnormalities in your reproductive organs and look for signs of infection. If your doctor suspects that a disorder is causing your menstrual cramps, he or she may recommend other tests, such as:. Other imaging tests. A CT scan or MRI scan provides more detail than an ultrasound and can help your doctor diagnose underlying conditions.

CT combines X-ray images taken from many angles to produce cross-sectional images of bones, organs and other soft tissues inside your body.

MRI uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of internal structures. Both tests are noninvasive and painless. Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others or naproxen sodium Aleve , at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin can help control the pain of cramps. Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also are available.

Start taking the pain reliever at the beginning of your period, or as soon as you feel symptoms, and continue taking the medicine as directed for two to three days, or until your symptoms are gone. Most alternative therapies for treating menstrual cramps haven't been studied enough for experts to recommend them. However, some alternative treatments might help, including:. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS.

A TENS device connects to the skin using adhesive patches with electrodes in them.