Menstrual pain: How natural remedies help

Beginning in puberty, the period comes about every four weeks until menopause. It accompanies the woman for a large part of her life. However, every second woman suffers from the pain of her period. Every fifth woman even has to lie in bed because she suffers from severe cramps. Simple remedies can often help alleviate the symptoms.

Menstrual pain: what causes the pain?

The menstrual cycle is about 28 days long. It arises from an interplay of the female sex hormones (oestrogens). During bleeding, the lining of the uterus loosens and comes off. This causes the uterus to contract, sometimes causing abdominal and back pain. Young girls suffer particularly often from this pain, as their hormonal balance still has to settle down. Very slim women can also be affected more frequently. The pain here is only caused by menstruation. However, inflammation or mechanical contraceptives such as the spiral can also increase menstrual pain. The most common symptoms during the menstrual period are headaches and back pain, a feeling of fullness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, mood swings and nervousness.

What to do about period pain?

• Heat: Sauna, a warm bath, or a hot-water bottle on your stomach can help relieve uterine spasms.
• Exercise: Regular exercise reduces the risk of menstrual discomfort. The pelvis is better supplied with blood and cramps can be released.
• Tip: Belly dancing is particularly good for period cramps. The gentle circling of the pelvis, the movements of the hips and the tensing and relaxing of the abdominal muscles can in many cases alleviate the pain.
• Relaxation: Cramp-like pain is often intensified by your own inner tension. Relax with massages, acupressure, meditation or yoga. Try to consciously breathe into your stomach to relieve the cramps.
• Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in fiber, this reduces the occurrence of cramps. You should avoid coffee and cola, they flush minerals out of the body and can thus promote cramps.
• Herbal remedies: Teas or over-the-counter medicines containing extracts of chasteberry or cinquefoil can relieve cramps. They also help with mood swings, irritability and inner restlessness.
• Shepherd’s purse, lady’s mantle, yarrow and oak bark also have an antispasmodic and haemostatic effect. You can have 30 g mixed for a tea in the pharmacy. Pour a cup of boiling water over one to two tablespoons of this mixture and let it steep, covered, for 20 minutes. Start three days before your period and drink two cups a day until the bleeding stops.

Try treating period pain naturally. If you have to resort to painkillers, you should not take them on an empty stomach. The funds can irritate your stomach lining. Take them with a large glass of water, then they are better tolerated.