When a comparison of the sexes is brought up, women often talk about the benefits of greater emotional awareness, a formidable pain threshold, or a greater perception of special relations. What they do not talk about, typically, is their monthly visitor. If they do speak on it, it’s usually in hushed tone as if speaking of it might somehow invoke an irregular cycle. While a period is never pleasant, learning what one can do for menstrual cramps can make the process much easier to deal with.
A simple method of reducing some of this discomfort is to simply drink more water. While coffee, soda, tea, and wine can be satisfying and delicious, they can also cause some problems. Caffeine and alcohol can take a lot of water out of you, which in turn can lead to some mild dehydration. This isn’t the sort of dehydration that puts an end to weary, desert travelers but it can increase the number of knots you feel in your uterus. Not only is your body expelling a lot of water during your period it’s also discarding a number of nutrients and minerals as well. Water speeds up the process of getting those things back into your system, which means you’re going to feel better a bit quicker. Further, even mild dehydration can hamper your pain tolerance. A few extra glasses of water each day, especially right before your period, can make the visit from Aunt Flo a little bit less dreadful.
There is another simple remedy which, oddly enough, also involves water; a warm bath. Not simply the providence of soap opera stereotypes, a warm bath can help soothe muscles and relax the body. If you don’t have the time for one , a hot water bottle on your abdomen can offer the same relief. If you can, also try and elevate your feet a little; this will put less stress on the uterine muscles and make it easier for them to calm down.
You should be trying to soothe more than just your uterus; stress makes any bad situation worse and your period is no exception. While many turn to chocolate for this reason, anything that helps soothe you and calms you down is a good idea. Try relaxing music, favorite foods, beloved books, and feel-good movies.
Some women actually find a lot of relaxation and relief from orgasms during their time of the month. This makes sense, as the muscle contractions that occur during climax can help get things moving in the right direction. It also can be a good stress reliever, which is always a plus. Everyone is different, and some women find physical intimacy unpleasant or even painful at this time. On the other hand, some find it especially pleasurable instead. You know your own body best, so try it out if you feel comfortable.
Your monthly visitor is never going to be a welcome thing, unless you’re in the middle of a pregnancy scare. The best techniques to dealing with the pain are simple, inexpensive, and can yield helpful results in your life with or without the period. That doesn’t mean you need to cut back on the wine and the chocolate, however!