Period Cramps: 5 Ways to Beat Them

During that time of the month, many women experience cramps due contractions in the uterus designed to help the organ shed its lining. For some, these cramps are no big deal. And that could be because of prostaglandin levels in your body. (These are hormones that relax and tighten the uterus during your period.) But sometimes, period cramps are bad enough to keep you from your daily activities, and missing work for period pain as these male morning show hosts discovered after trying out a menstrual cramp simulator.

For some women, the cause of awful period cramps is unclear. But if you experience cramps along with heavy bleeding, or if you frequently pass large blood clots, the cause of your discomfort could be uterine fibroids. Additionally, if you've noticed that you're experiencing cramps between periods, this could be a symptom of a larger problem like fibroids, cysts, or sexually transmitted infections. If that's the case, you will need to seek fibroid treatment to find lasting relief. In the meantime, though, we can help you start feeling better with our top tips for relieving cramps!

Manage Period Cramps with 5 Easy Interventions

Want to relieve menstrual discomfort quickly? Try these five simple steps.

1.       Put a heating pad on your lower abdomen, or soak in a warm bath. The heat helps relax muscles in your uterus to relieve cramping and discomfort.

2.       Exercise can also help by releasing endorphins in your body. Simply by working out for between 45 minutes and one hour when your period first begins, you could flood your body with these pain-fight—hormones. But, if uterine tumors are the cause of your period cramps, take care to select these options for exercise with fibroids, to avoid making your symptoms worse.

3.       Trying to get a massage or undergo acupuncture could help relieve your period cramps, especially if you combine these treatments with other therapeutic forms of movement such as yoga.

4.       Try medications such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin.

5.      Finally, explore treatment options such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) to relieve your painful period cramps and other fibroid symptoms. To learn more about this procedure request an appointment with our Dallas fibroid specialists!