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Menstrual cramps are a discomfort that many people experience every month. However, it is important to observe how much this nuisance influences day-to-day activities.
Also, understanding why this pain appears every month helps you to know your own body better and know how to deal with the menstrual cycle. With this, it is possible to establish a quieter routine that helps to alleviate all this discomfort at the time of menstruation.
In this article, better understand what you can do to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps and feel much more comfortable at this time!
Why do menstrual cramps happen?
Throughout the menstrual cycle, various substances and hormones produced by the body itself vary in their levels. It is these differences that make each phase happen, from the follicular, which begins with menstruation, to the luteal, which represents the end of the cycle – when symptoms of Premenstrual Tension (PMS) begin for some people.
One such substance that the body produces when preparing for a new menstrual cycle is prostaglandin. It is released when the uterus is starting to move to shed its lining, which we call the endometrium. Menstruation is the result of desquamation of this tissue, when pregnancy does not occur.
Menstrual cramps are the result of some spasms that the body produces to release the endometrium. Therefore, it is common to feel them, in different intensities, the day before or on the first day of menstruation.
Is it normal to feel severe cramps?
From now on, it is important to know that feeling very strong menstrual cramps is not normal at all. In some people, these pains can be so intense that they interfere with carrying out everyday tasks, such as work and study, and greatly affect mood.
In most cases, cramps are just discomfort in the lower abdomen, back or lumbar region. When pain is acute in all cycles, it is important to pay extra attention, as it may be a warning sign for some conditions.
An example of this is endometriosis. This is a condition that causes the body, instead of releasing the endometrial cells and marking the beginning of menstruation, causes the tissue to move in the opposite direction. When this happens, endometrial cells move to the ovary region or into the abdominal cavity, causing bleeding.
Another condition that may be associated with strong cramps in the menstrual period is myoma. This is a benign tumor that grows in the uterus even in the fertile phase of women. The emergence of these cells can increase menstruation bleeding and the intensity of pain at this stage of the cycle.
So if you experience very strong colic every month, it’s important to talk about it with a gynecologist doctor. With your report, the professional will send you some tests to identify what may be causing you to feel these pains and find the most appropriate treatment.
What to do to relieve colic?
Whether it’s a strong pain or a slight discomfort, it’s always good to know what to do to relieve menstrual cramps. That way, you don’t have to stop your routine because of your period coming on.
Overall, there are some care you can adopt so that menstrual cramps don’t bother so much in everyday life. See more!
Take a rest
The first step is to rest, especially in the first days of menstruation. If your cycle is regular, try to do your best not to make too many appointments around this time and to slow down a bit.
It’s common that, during the premenstrual phase, you feel the urge to stay in bed longer, take it easy on exercises and do more stretching. The best thing to do is respect your body’s signals to prevent stress from increasing discomfort.
take care of food
What you eat can also greatly influence period pain. Having a balanced diet on a daily basis will help prevent cramps from coming with everything at the beginning of the cycle.
At the time when your period usually comes, avoid exaggerating in sweets, salty and fats. As much as they are, precisely, the foods that make you want to eat at this stage, these foods increase liquid retention and make you feel more uncomfortable.
The same goes for caffeine and alcoholic beverages, which also contribute to increased menstrual pain. A few days before the start of the cycle, get ready to reduce coffee doses or opt for decaffeinated.
Place hot packs in the region
Making a compress with warm or hot water in the abdomen area helps to relax the muscles and relieve menstruation pains. Before going to sleep or at the start of the day, try to set aside 10 to 15 minutes just to rest and place a warm bag on your stomach or lower back.
Take a case
Instead of taking an over-the-counter colic medicine, why not opt ​​for a tea? Herbs like chamomile, oregano, ginger, and calendula are great for relieving menstrual pain, and they’re also very tasty—especially if you mix them with fruit or even milk.
In case of very severe pain, it is necessary to talk to a gynecologist to find out whether or not to take any medication. The important thing is never to take medication without a prescription, to avoid any kind of complication.
As you’ve seen, talking about menstrual cramps is also about women’s health. After all, very intense pain can reveal a condition that deserves greater attention. Therefore, be sure to see a doctor whenever you notice new or unusual symptoms in your menstrual cycle.
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Technical review: Alexandre R. Marra, researcher at the Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEP) and permanent professor at the Graduate Program in Health Sciences at the Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE).
Source: vidasaudavel.einstein.br
