Girls, how can I ease period cramp pain?

[Anonymous]

I got my period tonight and I've been having cramps since yesterday. I was wondering if any girls have some ways that I could ease period cramp pain? Do any of you know any type of food I could eat, exercises, whatever?

[SammyGurl]

Take some Alieve or Motrin. Take a hot, hot bath, if you can't soak in the tub try a hot water bottle or heating pad. Weird as it sounds ice helps, place it on your lower tummy for ten on and ten to fifteen minutes off. Try running, that really works for me, gets your endorphins flowing, nothing like your body's own natural pain relievers. Rub yourself to a nice orgasm , helps me every time!! = } treat yourself to some chocolate, I like dark best when Aunt Flo is visiting, normally it's just a bite or two or Hershey's Kisses size so one or two pieces. Go for a brisk walk, does the same for you as running. Hot tea, espresso drink, coffee, spiced cider, co-co... Above all, we all know it hurst and sucks when Aunt Flo drops by uninvited, try not to think about how much it hurts. Call a friend and talk on the phone for hours to get your mind off your pain. Drink lots of water, you need to hydrate and flush. It sucks to be a girl sometimes, especially like at period time.

[Asker]

Amazing options, I'm definitely going to try them! Thank you so much! (: (:

[SammyGurl]

Thank you for MHO. = ]

[redeyemindtricks]

Do you have cramps that come and go in waves (like the way pre-childbirth labor is described) and that usually start around day 1 of yr period? Or do you have unrelenting, grinding cramps that usually start a few days before?

The difference is important, because these are actually total opposites, and almost everything that will help one kind of cramps will actually make the other kind worse.

[Asker]

I have the first one more often than not, they come in waves and usually appear about a day before.

[redeyemindtricks]

ahh girly... I had those, back in the day. They were actually worse than my 3 natural childbirths, if you can believe that. I feel ya.

Do you happen to be on the tall and slender side, by any chance?

[redeyemindtricks]

In any case...
This kind of cramps is typically associated with an excess of progesterone over estrogen in the body. It's a systemic imbalance -- it won't self-correct, unless you medicate it (through diet, drugs, or both).

The experience differs from woman to woman, but, sometimes sex can actually make these kinds of cramps worse!
Sex releases oxytocin, which actually promotes uterine contractions (as it does during childbirth). Added onto the chemicals (prostaglandins) that are already going crazy causing contractions and cramps, that can really fuck stuff up. LOL

As I mentioned, I had these and they SUCKED. But, the good news is that these cramps usually go away forever by the time a woman is in her mid to late 20's, or at her first pregnancy. (The other kind of cramps -- the ones you don't have, thank the Lord hallelujah -- stick around until a woman hits menopause.)

[redeyemindtricks]

Try googling the word "phytoestrogens" and looking for lists of foods. Those foods are sources of estrogen, and will help to balance you out. (You may want to eat more of these foods all the time, but, especially during yr period.)
If you eat a diet that's higher in estrogens, then, these symptoms should get less severe.

If you go on a combination birth-control pill (estrogen + progesterone), then, yr symptoms WILL be eased greatly. They may disappear altogether.

I saw on another comment where you dismissed this as "not an option". Is this because yr parents are religious or super conservative?
If they're religious, you may not gain much ground there until you're out of their house, unfortunately.
If they're just really conservative, they may listen to a gynecologist. Have them talk to one about the benefits of combination BC pills for "spasmodic dysmenorrhea" (= your kind of cramps, as opposed to "congestive dysmenorrhea" which is the kind that you don't have).

Note, DO NOT go on

[redeyemindtricks]

the depo-provera shot, since that will actually make yr symptoms just get worse and worse and worse.

Good luck babe.

[Asker]

I'm the spiritual and conservative one, and I don't believe in birth control. I'm not sexually active, by the way. I will however try the list of food that's rich with estrogen. Thank you so much! (: (:

[redeyemindtricks]

You know you don't have to call it "birth control", right? You can call it "cramp control".

You wouldn't even be lying, either. If you aren't having sex, then, it's NOT birth control. It's general hormone management.

I'm being totally serious. You should reconsider.

If yr faith demands that a MARRIAGE be open to the possibility of conception, then, that's another animal entirely. But... in yr circumstances, this very literally would NOT be contraceptive medicine. It would be well-woman medicine.

At least think about it.

[doobie345621]

I heard bananas help but I don't know if that's true. Motrin should help. I like to take hot baths too and also exercise, like yoga or even just a brisk walk. Sometimes I just curl up into a ball with a pillow and cry lol, helps sometimes, I guess? When it's really bad I smoke some weed since nothing seems to alleviate my cramps better, but since you're under 18, try the other options lol.

[Asker]

Lol ya I'm not going to try the weed but thank you for the other great ideas!

[Girl_Ex_Machina]

Exercising the muscle really helps. Running, or if you aren't athletic, laughter actually helps stretch and relax the muscles, so watch something that makes you laugh. A heating pad or hot bath are also super helpful. Drinking something warm can also bring some relief. My go to is hot cocoa, because the chocolate helps with the hormones and stuff. Make yourself something hot to drink, curl around a heating pad, and watch Spaceballs.

[Asker]

Thank you so much for the amazing advice! (: (:

[AnggieGirl]

I really like those gel bags, they are good for the freezer or microwave. I heat in the microwave really hot, and put a t-towel between it and my stomach (below my belly button) and just lay down stretched out. Yes exercise too. Since exercising, my periods are lighter as well.

[Beautifiedgirl123]

A heating bag is great or some paracetamol. Exercise like cardio is also good (although this one is hard especially if you're in a lot of pain)

I find avoiding cold drinks or food helps because it seems to make my cramps worse If I have anything cold. Also I feel like hot drinks work well.

[DandelionGirl]

Mastubating helps, but if you're not gonna be able to do that. I take excedrin or Pamprin (those two help). Sorry you're feeling crappy :-( I have cramps. Why can't men get them -_-

[Asker]

Thank you so much! Going to try that. I know right, women get all the complicated issues! :(

[DandelionGirl]

Omg just don't take Pamprin or excedrin the same time though ! Lol.

[Imthebomdiggity]

Sorry to hear you're in pain ): although I do have some solutions that have worked for me. Eating carbs can help a lot with cramps and the flow of how heavy it is. Exercising such as

[Imthebomdiggity]

Not exactly sure why it cut off but I was going to say exercises such as running or any cardio excercise really helps with it.

[Asker]

Oh ok, thank you so much!💞💞

[Cmasterson]

Actually exercising is really good for your cramps, I was extremely crampy and brought my ass to the gym and I am feeling heaps better tonight x

[Asker]

What types of exercises are most efficient for this?

[Cmasterson]

Cardio mostly! Like speed walking, or some strength training cardio, anything that keeps you moving.

[Soulsky]

I agree 100%. Ever since I started fit life, I never get any cramps anymore, its amazing.

[LouisvilleGirl826]

take pain relievers, use a heating pad. You could also try taking a warm bath

[Asker]

Very good advice, I'll try the heating pad! :)

[Astraea1249]

Aha, usually I just coop up in my room and stay warm and toasty under layers of blankets. But I find that drinking hot beverages, like tea tend to ease the pain.

[Asker]

Thank you, and yes, I had a nice espresso and it definitely did help!

[LittleMissCuriousity]

I tend to walk when I'm cramping. If I can't (because I have work to do) I'll use a heating pad. Either way, I'll take a Pamprin and an Ibuprofen, and drink more coffee.

[BellePepper]

Ibuprophen and yoga are usually my go tos

[April10]

Hot tea helps me a lot.

Avoid cold drinks.

[Zendrya]

Birth control

[Asker]

Not an option but thank you! (:

[Zendrya]

Sitting in a hot bath helps but as soon as I get out of the tub the pain comes back.

[sparkly-crystal]

Rosemary or lemongrass tea really helps.

[Katy16]

Ibuprofen, hot shower/bath, heating pad

[Zodiacfan]

You should work out.

[Tenseven]

Middle or Tylenol?

[Tenseven]

Whoops... I meant to say Midol not "middle".

[rgb008]

Midol.

[helloitsmethere]

Take NSAIDS.

[Anonymous]

Yoga helps me