All across the globe, more than half of women who menstruate experience dysmenorrhea or period pain for about two days every month. Although period pain can also mean general discomfort and headaches, cramps are the worst. Menstrual cramps typically happen when the uterus contracts to shed its lining. This pain can radiate and also cause pain in your lower abdomen, lower back, upper thighs and groin. Just like you need to know how to wear a menstrual cup, you also need to understand why period cramps happen and how you can relieve the pain.

What Causes Period Pain?

Some women are simply confused about why they are the only woman in their family with chronic cramps or why their painful periods didn’t start until their 20s. Whatever your situation is, period cramps can happen due to a multitude of reasons. Let’s dive into some of them!

• One of the first and most typical causes of period cramps is PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome when estrogen and progesterone levels dip and this causes cramps, mood swings and fatigue.
• PMDD or Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of PMS that also causes cramps. However, unlike PMS, women with PMDD experience high levels of stress and the cramps are more intense.
• Uterine fibroids also cause cramps. They develop in the uterine lining during the childbearing years and shrink or completely vanish after menopause.
• Ovarian cysts are harmless sacs of fluids forming in the ovaries during ovulation. Sometimes ovarian cysts can also cause PCOS which causes hormone imbalance and leads to painful and irregular periods.
• Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium or the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. This abnormality can cause painful cramps and lead to irritation and inflammation.
• PID or Pelvic Inflammatory disease can also cause cramps. This is a condition when the ovaries and uterus get infected and the infection typically starts with bacteria from an STI.

How to Relieve Period Cramps?

Dealing with menstrual cramps can be painful as well as frustrating. The good news is some remedies can work to ease mild and chronic pain. These include the following:

• Reduce the bloating by drinking more water as bloating can cause pain and discomfort.
• Herbal teas have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties so drink herbal tea to reduce muscle spasms in the uterus that cause cramping.
• Try eating tomatoes, berries, pineapples and spices like ginger, and turmeric garlic to promote blood flow to the uterus. You can also have leafy green vegetables, walnuts, almonds, and fish like salmon to reduce the inflammation.
• Skip the sugary treats and keep a hot water bag handy to avoid the extra bloating.

Conclusion

When periods are already difficult with mood swings, bloating, cramps and incessant bleeding, you don’t need to make your periods more difficult with disposable feminine hygiene products. Instead, you can period a menstrual cup and make your periods more manageable. They stop leakage for longer hours than absorbable period products; they are cost-effective, reusable and sustainable for the environment. Isn’t that simply amazing?