Menstrual pain that interferes with activities makes many women choose to take pain relievers that contain ibuprofen. But there are some easy ways to get rid of menstrual pain that often comes every month without having to take medicine.
Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is a normal thing that occurs during menstruation. Menstrual pain is generally felt in the lower abdomen due to uterine contractions. Although it usually occurs during menstruation, menstrual pain can cause discomfort to interfere with activities.
During menstruation, the uterine muscles tighten (contract) and relax in an irregular rhythm. This helps the tissue that lines the uterus to detach and drain out of the body, along with blood, through the cervix and vagina.
The uterine muscle contractions cause discomfort but can sometimes feel like painful cramping. Menstrual pain is not only in the lower abdomen but also felt in the back to the feet. In some women, menstrual pain can also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.
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How to Get Rid of Menstrual Pain
One effective way to relieve menstrual pain is to take ibuprofen and aspirin to help with the pain. However, ibuprofen and aspirin are not intended for those who have a history of asthma, kidney or liver disease. Ibuprofen and aspirin are also prohibited for consumption under the age of 16.
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Another medicine that can also be taken to treat menstrual pain is paracetamol but research shows that paracetamol does not reduce pain like ibuprofen or aspirin.
Apart from medicine, there are natural ways to get rid of menstrual pain. This method is quite easy and can be done at home. If you routinely apply these methods, menstrual pain that often comes every month can be handled properly.
Compressing the Stomach with Warm Water
Compressing the stomach with a bottle filled with warm water is one way that is often done to treat menstrual pain. This method is effective enough to make the uterine muscles more relaxed so that it can relieve pain.
The method is quite easy, fill the bottle with warm water. Cover the bottle with a cloth or washcloth. Place the bottle in the lower abdomen where it hurts during menstruation. This is a natural way to relieve pain without leaving any other effects.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can help relieve pain during menstruation. No need to do strenuous exercise, light exercise is enough to help improve blood circulation so that it can help to relieve menstrual pain. Exercise can also relax the muscles in the uterus that cause pain during menstruation. Exercises that can be done during menstruation, such as walking or cycling.
Take a Bath with Warm Water
An easy way that can be done to relieve menstrual pain is to take a warm bath. Bathing with warm water can make the body more relaxed so that it can reduce pain. Bathing with warm water can also relax the muscles in the stomach to the legs that are tense due to contractions.
Reduce Stress
Excessive stress can cause cramps in the abdomen, causing pain during menstruation. How to reduce stress is to do relaxing activities such as watching movies doing things you like.
Yoga and Pilates can also be an option to reduce stress. Besides being able to help with emotions, yoga and pilates can also divert pain during menstruation.
Stop smoking
One of the causes that can trigger pain in the abdomen during menstruation is active smoking. Based on research, active smokers have a higher risk of experiencing menstrual pain, so quitting smoking can be one way that can help relieve menstrual pain.
Taking Supplements
Another way to get rid of menstrual pain is to take supplements. One of them is vitamin D. Vitamin D can help reduce pain during menstruation. Vitamin D, vitamin E, and ginger significantly reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea. Ginger has the most significant effect followed by vitamin D and vitamin E.
In addition to vitamin D and vitamin E, there are vitamin B1, vitamin B6, fatty acids, omega 3, and magnesium which can reduce menstrual cramps.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional treatment that involves needles. Acupuncture works by inserting needles through vital points on the body.
Research shows that acupuncture can reduce menstrual pain and symptoms effectively without having to use medication. Acupuncture can be used as an effective and safe treatment for women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.
In addition to the natural ways above, another way to relieve pain during menstruation is to avoid foods and drinks that cause stomach cramps. Types of drinks that should be avoided, such as drinks containing caffeine, drinks containing excessive sugar, to alcohol.
Causes of Menstrual Pain
Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is divided into two, primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. The reasons for the two are also different. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common type of menstrual pain experienced by women during menstruation. The pain is caused by uterine contractions.
Causes of normal menstrual pain include:
Had her first menstruation before the age of 11;
Active smoker;
Have longer menstrual periods;
Active smoker; and
Excessive stress.
In addition to primary dysmenorrhea, there is secondary dysmenorrhea. Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain caused by other health problems. It is characterized by menstrual pain that lasts longer. This needs to be watched out for because the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea usually requires treatment from a doctor.
Several factors are the cause of abnormal menstrual pain.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus where it doesn’t belong. Endometriosis can cause pain during menstruation. Scar tissue called adhesions can form inside the pelvis where the bleeding occurs. Adhesions can cause organs to stick together, causing pain.
Fibroids/myoma
Myoma is a benign tumor that occurs in the uterine wall or. Myomas vary in size, shape, number, and location. Generally, the location of fibroids in the uterus, outer surface, or inside the uterine wall. Usually, fibroid sufferers experience pelvic pain and bleeding in the vaginal area when they are not menstruating.
Cyst
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Cysts do not cause any symptoms but the pain is felt during menstruation or at the time of ovulation.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is an infection of the female upper genital tract, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually caused by a bacterial infection that spreads from the vagina or cervix to the higher producing organs.
Causes of secondary dysmenorrhea usually require special treatment from a doctor.
Qin L-L, Hu Z, Kaminga AC, Luo B-A, Xu H-L, Feng X-L, et al. (2020) Association between cigarette smoking and the risk of dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS ONE 15(4): e0231201. Source
