7 Ways to Avoid and Relieve Menstrual pain

I remember getting my first period at an early age, 13 I think, and getting excited because the things I had been taught in biology were finally happening to me. I had read up on it and nothing could go wrong, the first day went by without a hitch with me existing in a cloud of glee, till I woke up the next day and the pain hit me, it was an extremely shocking experience.

I explained the situation to my grandmother who I lived with at the time and she was in awe of the situation explaining to me that she’d never in her entire life seen a person go through such pain, I was practically wailing between breaths and you’d sometimes find me asleep in awkward positions because that was the position I felt less pain in, sometimes I’d be asleep with my ass up in the air, funny but true.

I knew I could never go through such an experience again. After I went through it again the next month to see if it had been a fluke, I realized it wasn't and it made sure to remind me it was here to stay which it did for seven whole days. It involved me missing classes because I just could not function properly and slept most of the time to avoid feeling the pain.

Before the next month had come around I had researched some things I could use.

I actually started out with this and the relief it gave me was phenomenal and I hate to admit it but I still use it till today. It was the easiest thing that works for me even though there are side effects such as bloating, I remain happy as long as I have no pain.

Ginger Tea

This was actually something natural that really worked for me. Now I am not talking about ginger tea in a box I am talking about ginger bought from the market, peeling off the outer skin and then boiling it in water for a couple of minutes before straining out the juice. It is actually quite amazing, the only thing to worry about is your breath smelling like ginger, Yuck! I only use this when I am home.

It can also be used for nausea and an upset stomach.

Dark Chocolate

Stay away from sweets whilst on your period, but not dark chocolate. It contains magnesium which helps alleviate cramps, boosts your mood and also helps in relaxing your muscles.It is just the perfect way to get rid of my sweet tooth whilst not adding pain to my body, but actually doing the opposite, and that is what I would like to call a win-win situation.

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and cocoa powder and is linked to serotonin which helps improve your mood and also helps with lighter periods.

Showering/Hot Water Bottle

Just directing the heat from the showerhead to my stomach worked wonders, really! The only problem was as soon as I got out the pain kicked in so I used to wait till I felt sleepy then rush to bed to pass out before the pain could kick in. The hot-water bottle was a whole different scenario, sure it relieved my pain long enough for me to fall asleep but by the time I had woken up, it had gone cold and welcome to pain-ville, I don't feel safe using an electric heater because I tend to sleep with it, but it depends on your personal preference.

Exercise

I hate doing it but to avoid the pain I will even if it also hurts but it's kind of hurt is on a lower scale. It really helps guys and when I have actually not been too lazy to visit the gym, I have been able to have barely any pain periods I could bear.

Swimming is actually one of the best ways to relieve any pain and it lasts, so you don't need to put on your jogging shoes. I can't swim but attempting to swim and failing still does the trick, as long as you make sure there's a life guard nearby.

Eat Light

I have no idea why, I really do not, but this just causes me to feel uncomfortable but it really does not bother me if I am on pain medication, but when I am not, I try to keep my food intake as light as possible to avoid the pain hitting me at full blast. I also tend to not be able to eat during my period as I am hit with nausea and bring everything back up regardless of what I put down, solid or not. If this is also true for you, it would be best to limit your food intake and not force yourself to eat till your nausea has calmed down.

Soft Drinks/Sweets

These will make you wish you would have never been born. Seriously! Do not go near them at least a week before your period. I avoid them like a plague actually even though it is normal to crave them a few days before or during your period, just think of the pain you'll have to endure and that would probably stay your hand but It's sometimes not enough of a motivation for me and I end up satisfying my sweet tooth regardless. We crave sweets because of the reduced serotonin levels in our body which are usually lower around the time we have our periods.