With the exception of the lucky few, I’m sure that most of us women have experienced the varying levels of pain from cramps that strike us when Aunt Flo is in town; I myself am no exception. Since the obvious choice—painkillers for cramps—doesn’t work on me, I’ve been subjected to this unavoidable, debilitating pain on many, many occasions. If you’re feeling frustrated and helpless at this recurring pain, fear not as I’m here to share with you my survival tips to dealing with period cramps effectively. You’ll be back on your feet in no time!
While the outcome of these tips may vary from individual to individual, I’m sure that they will help to reduce the pain to a certain extent. Additionally, do note that my remedies are uninformed by medical knowledge, and if the pain you’re experiencing is very frequent and severe, it’s best to consult a doctor!
- Keep your body warm!
While you’re on your period, you’ll want to avoid the cold as much as possible. Personally, sudden changes in bodily temperature tend to trigger my cramps as I’m very sensitive to the cold on my period, and for me, these changes can arise from something as trivial as the coldness of marble flooring against my bare feet. However, this change in temperature usually comes in the form of a cold environment or a cold drink. While I know that cold drinks are essential survival supplies for most of us living in this tropical kiln called Singapore, it’s best to avoid cold drinks right before and during the first few days of your period.
If you’ve already succumbed to the cold or the cramps, then opt for hot drinks to warm your body up again. Personally, my go-to drink is a warm cup of Horlicks, but anything goes, from hot Milo to hot tea. Another good choice of drink is ginger tea as it promotes blood circulation and helps to warm the body up very quickly, thus alleviating menstrual cramps.
As for cold environments, rather than bracing yourself for the cold, try to wear an extra layer to mitigate this. Otherwise, a product I’d highly recommend is adhesive heat packs—these are way more convenient than hot water bottles. While they recommend that you stick the heat pack (on your clothes) near your uterus, I usually stick the pack near my lower back, close to the end of my spine as I find that it helps to warm the entire body, and is thus more effective at remedying cramps.
- Go for nourishing foods that lean towards being ‘heaty’
I’m no expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, so take my words with a pinch of salt, but the concept of bodily warmth can also be interpreted in terms of ‘heaty’ and ‘cooling’ foods. While on your period, it’s best to avoid cooling foods like crabs, mangosteen, pineapple, cooling tea, pears and so on as these will up your chances of cramps. Instead, opt for nourishing warm foods (usually ‘heaty’) like the aforementioned ginger tea, chicken essence and food products with ginseng (samgyetang anyone?) that will not only strengthen your body but also prevent and alleviate cramps.
- Acupressure
This was a method my dad found on the internet many years ago when attempting to help subside the pain from the severe case of cramps I had—it was so bad that I was unable to get ready for my graduation ceremony later that day. However, after applying pressure to the points featured in these videos (Spleen 6, Liver 3, Large Intestine 4), pressing the spots for 5-10 seconds each, the pain quickly subsided and did not return for the rest of the day. Through acupressure, blood circulation is promoted and the release of hormones that provides relief to pain from menstrual cramps is stimulated.
The great thing about acupressure is that oftentimes you are able to do it by yourself, on yourself, quickly and quietly. This is especially helpful when you’ve forgotten your painkillers and are stuck suffering in a public space with no access to all other pain-relief solutions, and best of all, it’s free!
- TENS machine
Lastly, with the developments in technology, a device that utilises transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) that helps to reduce pain has been developed. Basically, the small, battery operated device sends small electrical impulses to the sticky pads (electrodes) attached to the area of pain. According to the National Health Service (NHS), doing so can “reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles”, and it may also “stimulate the production of endorphins” that naturally kills pain.
I personally have not tried using a TENS machine, so I am unable to comment on its effectiveness, but users who have purchased units from Amazon have left it good reviews, saying that it was effective in reducing period pains greatly. However, before giving it a go, do note that the sensation of TENS, described as akin to being stung by many ants, can be uncomfortable for some, and each device can also be quite pricey (~100++) when purchased locally.
Nobody deserves to suffer the wrath of the dreaded period cramps, but after noting down and practising the tips I’ve given you in this article, you’ll no longer be an damsel in distress, subject to Aunt Flo’s whims and fancies when she’s back in town!