Suffering from period pain? Period pain is, unfortunately, a common problem and a normal part of the menstrual cycle. While it is not a cause for alarm, many women find period pain to cause great discomfort and interfere with their daily life.
Period pain is a result of the muscular wall of the womb contracting to assist the womb lining to shed. The result is painful cramps felt in the stomach or sometimes a dull, constant pain. Many women find that it varies between periods and while some cycles cause no pain, others may cause debilitating aches.
So, what can you do to manage period pain? Here are a few tips that should help.
Painkillers
The simplest way to manage period pain is to take painkillers. Ibuprofen and aspirin are proven to be the more effective options and should help to alleviate pain. Follow the instructions carefully on the packaging and avoid taking these if you have stomach, kidney, or liver problems. If OTC painkillers do not get the pain under control, then you could speak to your doctor about a stronger option.
Heat
Many people also find that heat is an effective way to soothe period pain. There are a few ways that you can safely apply heat to relax the muscles, including taking a bubble bath or a warm shower. A hot water bottle is another effective option as you can apply this directly to the stomach — just be sure to wrap it in a tea towel to avoid burning yourself.
Gentle Exercise
Gentle exercise is another way to alleviate period pain while improving your overall health. You might not feel like intensive activity when you are suffering from period pain, but gentle options like walking, stretching, or cycling can be effective and also take your mind off the pain.
Relaxation Techniques
Period pain can be frustrating because the more you worry, the worse it gets. This is why it is important to find relaxation techniques that work for you, such as yoga, meditation, taking a bath, or reading. Additionally, try to avoid any activities that will cause you too much stress during this time.
Period Delay Tablets
You could also take period delay tablets like Norethisterone to manage period pain. Tablets like these are often prescribed to address many different issues, including period pain, heavy periods, irregular periods, and endometriosis. This can help in terms of pain by balancing the progesterone hormone in your system, which regulates your cycle and can prevent painful periods. This is a prescription medication that is available on the NHS. You can get a prescription through an online consultation with a pharmacist like chemistclick.co.uk, which is a fast, easy and discreet way to get a prescription.
Painful periods are, unfortunately, a common experience for women. While it is normal and nothing to be concerned about, it can interfere with your life. The above are a few of the best strategies for managing period pain that should help to reduce period discomfort and allow you to lead your life as you wish.
