As a woman, periods can be quite discomforting, especially for women who have cramps, but learning to manage your period is key to having a pain-free cycle.
It’s worse when you have to go about doing one activity or the other with all that discomfort.
Here are ways you can manage yourself during this special time of the month.
Exercise
Exercise does not just make you fit, but it also helps to ease menstrual cramps. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins; it’s your body’s natural painkiller and mood elevator.
Yoga is great if cardiovascular exercise is not your thing. Be sure to be wary of the poses that put pressure on areas where you’re sensitive.
Stay Off Coffee And Chocolate
Coffee and chocolate have caffeine, which causes blood vessels feeding the uterus to tighten, making cramping worse.
ALSO READ: Step By Step Guide On How To Calculate Your Menstrual Cycle With Ease
Use A PainKiller
For women suffering from severe cramping, it is wise to take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen 48 hours before their period.
This helps decrease the release of prostaglandins, the agents primarily responsible for pain and other symptoms associated with periods.
Change And Wash Regularly
The standard time to change a sanitary pad is once every six hours, while for a tampon, it is once every two hours.
That being said, you have to customize the changing schedule to your needs. While some women might have a heavy flow and would need to change more often, others will need to change less frequently. There are a few instances where your sanitary napkin or tampon might not be completely used—usually on days when you have a lesser flow—but you must change at regular intervals.
Drink More Water
Dehydration is never a good thing; it’s especially hazardous during your cycle as it decreases water retention, which can make cramps all the more excruciating/make you even more bloated.
Use A Hot Water Bottle
It may sound cliché, but it is just as effective as the aforementioned.
A study conducted by scientists from University College London found that applying heat doesn’t just provide relief by coziness but also functions like a painkiller, deactivating pain at a molecular level.