How to stop period  pain. Period.

How to stop period  pain. Period.

“We don’t talk enough about menstruation. In fact, we don’t speak about it at all. When we do, it’s nearly always preceded with “Sorry: TMI, I know,”says Abby Norman, a freelance artist. Abby’s right.

People are always happier to talk about a woman’s birthing plans. It seems that a woman’s womb is always up for discussion if it involves putting a baby in. Why is something like that not off limits, yet no one wants to discuss periods?

While men wait, on average, 48 minutes before seeking treatment for abdominal pain, women wait 66 minutes for the same symptoms. Researchers believe this is because females are viewed as exaggerating pain and being “dramatic” due to sexist stereotypes.

The word “hysterical” arises from hystericus, meaning “of the womb”; forever linking how society has connected wombs with overreaction and weakness.

Period pain has historically been restricted to whispered conversations between mothers, daughters, sisters and women friends.

Although menstruation may no longer be the taboo that it once was, it is still not considered respectable enough to warrant serious scientific thought.

Women will suffer because of this – every month – until it is.

Guide to cramps

Dysmenorrhea is the clinical term for the cramps that occur immediately before or during the menstrual period. There are two forms,: primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea is another word for natural menstrual pains which first occur one to two years after a woman has her first period. Pain usually appearing in the abdomen or back, can be moderate to severe. Often the pain becomes less severe as a woman ages and often ends totally after having the first child.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is produced by a dysfunction in the woman’s creative system. These cramps typically begin sooner in the cycle and last longer than primary dysmenorrhea.

The cause

Menstrual cramps are created by uterus contractions. The uterus compresses during a woman’s menstrual cycle. If the uterus decreases considerably, it may push against blood vessels; cutting the oxygen supply. Pain happens when the uterus loses its oxygen supply.

 

Period pain relief

Mild menstrual cramps can be relieved by taking aspirin or a different pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin. A heating pad, located on the lower back, also may give some relief.

To relieve menstrual cramps, be sure to:

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Avoid tobacco and alcohol
  • Rub your lower back

Here are more ways to ease the pain without leaving home:

  1. Exercise. Brisk walking, or any form of physical activity, can help relieve the pain. With aerobic exercise, the body is pumping more blood and releasing endorphins to counteract the prostaglandins and reduce cramps.
  1. Chamomile Tea. The Journal of Agriculture and Chemistry issued a study showing that there are pain-relieving properties in chamomile tea. The research found that when participants in the study were given urine samples, their urinary levels had a significant increase in hippurate — a natural anti-inflammatory. Just like exercise, anti-inflammatory drugs help decrease the prostaglandin production resulting in menstrual cramp relief.
  1. Vitamin D. Prevention is better than the cure. Make sure your body has sufficient vitamin D. High doses of vitamin D3 have been shown to lead to significant decreases in menstrual cramps.
  1. Acupuncture. A component of Chinese medicine, researchers have found acupuncture to have positive effects on cramps. Based on ten trials with 944 participants at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea, scientists have found an improvement in pain relief from acupressure when compared to a placebo.
  1. NSAID. Not everyone chooses to turn to medications to ease period pain, but moderate use of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) such as ibuprofen can help. NSAIDs lower prostaglandin production and decrease overall pain and inflammation.

Heart attack

“Period pain is as severe as a heart attack,” says John Guillebaud, professor of reproductive health at University College London.

“Men don’t get it. Period pain doesn’t get the focus it should. I believe it’s something we should take care of; like everything else in health care.”

Dr. Imogen Shaw, a general practitioner, specializing in women’s health agrees: “I wouldn’t disagree. If men experienced period pain, the problem would be regarded more earnestly.”

It is shocking how infrequently the medical field gets involved with menstruation. While recent years have witnessed period taboos vaporised through social media, it still has not permeated medical discussions: periods are rarely presented with earnest medical attention.

It’s not just women’s period pain which is taken lightly; ignoring women’s pain is a problem throughout health care. Research  has revealed that female’s pain is not taken as thoughtfully by physicians in general.

If menstrual cramps are severe, or last for more than three days, be sure to contact your physician. Menstrual cramps can be treated; it is important to get checked out.

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