The menstruation cycle in women is characterized by vaginal bleeding, which occurs once a month. Each month, the women’s bodies get prepared for pregnancy. However, if there is no pregnancy in the womb or the uterus, the lining surrounding is shed, which leads to menstruation or a menstrual period.

Normally, the menstrual period begins at the age of 11 – 15 and ends at the age of 51 or more. However, there are cases when some 8-year-old girls experience their first menstrual period, but it is a normal thing; you do not have to worry. The menstruation period lasts from 3 – 5 days, even though there are cases when the menstrual period lasts for a week or a month or even does not occur at all.

Besides bleeding, women may also experience:

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Mood swifts
  • Food cravings
  • Sore breasts
  • Bloating
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Pelvic cramps
  • Pain in the abdomen

Other factors that can make women suffer from menstrual pain include reaching puberty at an early age, genetics, lots of blood flow during menstrual periods, and other unhealthy things, like smoking, not getting enough exercise, consuming alcohol, and using drugs.

What Does PMS Mean?

PMS represents a premenstrual syndrome manifested with some menstrual symptoms before the menstrual period starts. These symptoms include both emotional and physical symptoms. It can be exhausting to be a woman at the time of the menstrual period.

Fortunately, there are certain painkillers that can relieve menstrual pain, even though most women would let the pain vanish by taking a rest.

Natural Remedies To Relieve Menstrual Pain

Drink soya milk on a daily basis

As soya contains estrogen, it can help relieve menstrual pain. Estrogen represents a hormone that is beneficial for women during the menstrual period.

Do exercise on a regular basis

While doing exercise, the muscles stretch and help ease the menstrual cramps. Exercising will also help you to increase the levels of endorphin.

Consume Tofu or drink Taho on a daily basis

As Taho and Tofu contain soya, which is rich in estrogen, they can help you relieve menstrual cramps. Moreover, you can also prepare the body for the menstrual period by consuming Taho and Tofu every day.

Avoid or cut down on caffeinated drinks

Caffeinated beverages can make the menstrual cramps worse. Therefore, while having a PMS or menstrual period, make sure you avoid consuming caffeinated drinks.

Drink ginger tea

Consuming ginger tea can help you to soothe stomach pain and cramps. In order to relieve the menstrual pain, all you have to do is grate ginger, add it in water, and boil it for 5 minutes. After that, strain the ginger, add lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey, and consume the tea. You can consume ginger tea three times on a daily basis.

Avoid eating salty foods

You should avoid consuming salty food, as it can aggravate dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps. Therefore, try to consume sweet food, such as chocolate, instead of consuming salty food.

Consume papaya

Papaya is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and carotene, which help relieve menstrual cramps.

Add sesame seeds to your diet

Sesame seeds have numerous benefits for the overall health. In fact, they are beneficial for treating diabetes, reducing high blood pressure, promoting sleep quality, preventing cancer, lowering inflammation, etc.
Therefore, include two tablespoons of sesame seeds in your food.

Applying heat

The easiest way to relieve menstrual cramps is to put heat on the lower stomach. It will help loosen the muscles in the uterus. You can put a heating pad or a plastic bottle with hot water on the lower back and stomach.
Taking a hot shower can also help relieve the pain, too

Basil

Basil contains acid that soothes pain, which relieves menstrual cramps. All you need to do is add a tablespoon of basil leaves to a cup of boiling water. Cover it and let it cool. Drink it every few hours to relieve the menstrual cramps.

In addition, you can add basil leaves to your food.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon can prevent blood clotting, muscle tightening, and swelling to help relieve menstrual cramps.
To prepare cinnamon tea, all you need to do is mix ¼ tablespoon of cinnamon powder and a cup of hot water. Let it stay for 5 minutes, and add honey. Drink it. To relieve menstrual cramps, consume 2 – 3 cups of cinnamon tea 1 – 2 days before the menstrual period starts.

Fennel

Due to its powerful antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory properties and phytoestrogenic, fennel can help relieve the muscles of the uterus walls, which can ease menstrual pain and cramping.

In a cup of hot water, add one teaspoon of fennel seeds. Bring it to a boil on low heat. Then, add one teaspoon of honey. Mix it well. Drink this tea three times a day, three days before the menstrual period starts.

Blackstrap molasses

Due to their high content of vitamins and minerals, blackstrap molasses helps prevent blood clotting and relieve the muscles in the uterus. This soothes the cramps during the menstrual period.

In a cup of warm milk, add 1 – 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses. Consume it when you experience menstrual cramping.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea relaxes the uterus and soothes muscle tightening, which causes pain during menstrual periods.
All you need to do is to boil a cup of water. Then, add a bag of chamomile tea to it. Cover it and let it stay for 10 – 15 minutes. Squeeze the tea bag and add honey or lemon juice if you want. Drink at least 2 cups of chamomile tea on a daily basis.

Besides trying these natural remedies, you can also do yoga and cardiovascular exercises to relieve menstrual cramping. Furthermore, drink plenty of water.