6 Ways to Reduce Menstrual Cramps

I was just surfing the web as usual this morning and I came across this article which will be of great help to ladies who go through pain during menstrual period.

Menstrual cramps can be a real pain for
any woman. Here are six ways to help
ease your belly pains right at home.
As women, we all know it, dread it, and are sometimes even thankful that we get it — I'm talking about our monthly period. We all know the constant throbbing and cramping pains that come with it.

To help you get through the monthly visit,
here are some home remedies that ease
menstrual cramps.

1. Exercise

This might sound a little crazy and you might be thinking to yourself, I can barely move, let alone exercise. However, brisk walking, or any type of physical activity, can help to ease your belly pain. When you're doing any type of aerobic exercise, your body is pumping more blood; this helps to release endorphins to counteract the prostaglandins and reduce your cramps. Exercising three to four times a
week is good for the overall health of your
body, but it is especially important if you're prone to painful menstrual cramps.

2. Apply heat

Heat helps to relax the contracting muscles in your uterus, which is the cause for your pain. There are many over-the-counter heating patches and pads, such as ThermaCare, Bengay, or electric, reusable ones. Or, even
taking a regular plastic bottle with hot water and applying it to your abdomen is an alternative when you don't have access to a heating pad.

3. Drink chamomile tea

A study published in the Journal of
Agriculture and Chemistry found that there might be pain-relieving properties in this fragrant tea. "This is one of a growing number of studies that provide evidence that commonly used natural products really do contain chemicals that may be of medicinal value," said Elaine Holmes, Ph.D., a chemist with the Imperial College of London. The
research found that when 14 participants
were given urine samples, their urinary levels had a significant increase in hippurate, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Anti inflammatory drugs help to decrease the prostaglandin production, thus relieving
menstrual cramps.

4. Make sure you're getting enough vitamin D

Prevention is always better than the cure,
which is why making sure your body has
enough vitamin D is important in preventing menstrual cramps. A study found that high doses of vitamin D3 led to a significant decrease in menstrual cramps. As reported by Health.com , "40 Italian women were split into two groups: one receiving a single oral dose of 300,000 IUs of vitamin D3 and the other
getting a placebo five days before the
expected start of their menstrual periods." Their pain scored dropped by 41 percent, while those in the placebo group saw no change in their pain scale.

5. Have an orgasm

Yes, that's right — orgasms help to relieve all kinds of pain, including menstrual cramps. Before an orgasm, the uterus is more relaxed, and at the moment of climax, blood flow increases, helping to relieve the cramps. Orgams relieve the pain through the release of endorphins, which help you to feel instantly better. They also help to relax your whole body and induce sleep so you won't
feel any cramping at all.

6. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, which involves sticking the skin with small needles to stimulate the body at certain points. Researchers from the Oriental Hospital at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea found that acupuncture might have positive effects on menstrual cramps. The study was based on 10 trials with 944 participants. "There was an improvement in pain relief from acupressure compared with a placebo control," according to the study.

Source: http://www.medicaldaily.com/menstrual-cramps-6-home-remedies-247558