Top 13 Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps and Heavy Bleeding
Menstrual cramps which are mostly accompanied by heavy bleeding affects many women around the world. It becomes extra difficulty to go through their periods as pain and heavy loss of blood weaken them. In this article, we will focus on the natural remedies for menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding.
Menstrual cramps will away cause discomfort to anyone having them, especially around their abdomen, lower back, and thighs. This is due to the contraction and relaxation of the womb muscles during the shedding of the lining that had built –up. The pain felt during this phase is what is termed as cramps.
Menstrual cramps have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea as well. Painful menstruation occurs to some women while others do not suffer from the same. Some cases that are linked with extreme pain. These cases include extreme blood flow, having the first baby, being young of age especially when below 20, or at the start of your menses, and when there is an over-production of prostaglandins, a hormone that controls the womb. Additional factors such as growths in your womb, abnormal uterine growth tissue growth or endometriosis, and use of contraceptives. When the menstrual cramps are not that extreme, home remedies to assist in the relief can be employed.
Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
- Using Over-The-Counter Medications (OTC) - Over-the-counter drugs assist in the relief of menstrual pain and heavy bleeding. Mostly they are Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Advil or ibuprofen, and Aleve or naproxen. They work in a way of lowering the production of prostaglandin by the body. Although, not effective as oral contraceptives they can assist in reducing pain.
- Applying Heat On The Stomach - This relieves the pain on your abdomen and lowers back. From studies, women who tried this method in dealing with menstrual cramps had the same relief as that from the use of ibuprofen. Just use a heating patch at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A hot water bottle or a heating pad, a warm bath, or a hot towel can be used for this purpose.
- Messaging The Lower Abdomen With Essential Oils - To reduce the menstrual cramps repeat this procedure for 20 minutes. Studied have shown that, endometriosis as a result of menstrual pains is significantly reduced by massaging with essential oils. Pressing specific points by a massage therapist while having menstruation involves focusing on the abdomen, sides, and the lower back. An aromatherapy style of massage combined with essential oils will ensure you reap the best results from the message. The highly recommended oils, in this case, include lavender, clary sage, and marjoram oils. Still, if you like, you can go for scented massage oil with such ingredients or use a home-made one.
- You Need To Avoid Some Kinds Of Foods – While having your periods, it is highly recommended to keep away from taking food especially those that lead to a gas build-up in the stomach and retaining water in the body. Such examples include fatty foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and salty foods. Minimizing the intake of such foods will not only stop the menstrual cramps but will go to an extent of reducing the tension of having your periods. A good way to achieve all this is by taking some caffeine-free, ginger, lemon-flavoured hot water, or mint teas which will instead sooth your body. If you have a persistent craving for sugar, you should stick to fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
- Try To Have A Vaginal Orgasm – Studies have shown that, in this way, menstrual cramps can be relieved. When you have vaginal orgasms, the whole body is involved, that includes your spinal cord that leads to the neurotransmitters being released. Endorphins and oxytocin which are examples of neurotransmitters are triggered and released by having a vaginal orgasm. The endorphins are a sure way to relieve the menstrual cramps.
- Including Some Herbs To Your Food Is Another Perfect Way To Reduce The Menstrual Cramps - Some of these herbs happen to contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that from studies have been believed to minimize the womb’s muscles contractions and inflammation that is associated with the cramps when having periods. Such natural herbs for menstrual cramps may range from cinnamon, fennel seeds, pycnogenol, dill, chamomile tea, ginger, peppermint oil, anti-spasmodic herbs, and Uterine tonic herbs.
- Natural relief for menstrual cramps will involve doing exercises, drinking chamomile tea, ensuring you are getting adequate vitamin D, having acupuncture, eating oily fish twice a week, and more.
Natural Remedies For Heavy Bleeding
- Drink a Lot of Water or Drinks to Stay Fully Hydrated - If the bleeding is so heavy in the first days of your periods, the volume of blood decreases. Drink 4-6 cups of water daily to maintain the blood volume. To balance out the additional drink you may be taking, including an electrolyte solution. For example, Gatorade or have more salt in your food.
- Ensure You Take Foods Abundant in Vitamin C as much as Possible - The vitamin is good when it comes to ensuring you absorb as much iron as possible. This, in turn, keeps safe from suffering from anemia. Vitamin C is abundantly found in oranges, kiwis, lemon, red/green peppers, strawberries, broccoli, tomato juice, and grapefruits.
- Eat Foods That Are Rich in Iron - This is found in foods like lean beef, oysters, chicken/turkey, beans, tofu, and spinach.
- Taking supplements such as Vitamin C, iron, and black molasses will assist in minimizing the bleeding.
- Medicine to stop bleeding during periods includes birth control pills, patches, and rings. They help by thinning the womb’s wall and thus less bleeding. Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) acts as an anti-Fibrinolytic tablet. Assist in the minimizing of bleeding by the body by disintegrating clots. Norethindrone (Aygestin), Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are other types of drugs that can treat bleeding.
- Natural food for heavy bleeding include oily fish twice a week, flaxseeds, walnuts, and omega-3 enriched eggs are a good way to boost your omega-3s. Relying on red meat for a good source of iron is a good thing too.
Having menstrual cramps is a normal thing for any woman in their menstruation period. However, if this becomes extreme accompanied by heavy bleeding, there is a need to worry. Try the above-mentioned remedies and if the condition worsens seek medical advice.