What helps period pain?

This article has been medically reviewed by Doctor Ramlah Tariq FCPS on/gyn, RMP, MBBS, BSc.

What helps period pain is quite likely something you are going to be tapping into Google when those cramps strike.

We’ve all been there. Doubled over, eyes watering, searching for ANYTHING to make the pain go. We’re going to shed some light on what helps period pain, as well as some insight into how much pain is ‘normal’ and when you should see someone.

Where does period pain start?

what helps with period pain Firstly, where does period pain start? It can actually be different from woman to woman. Some may start to feel aches in their stomach, back or legs. Despite the cramps coming from your uterus, they can be felt in different ways.

The contraction in your uterus can impact the blood vessels in the top of the thighs and around your back, which is why cramping can be felt there too.

However, leg pain during your period could also be connected to endo, as tissues can grow around your pelvis and hips. This type of pain is described as warm and radiates down your legs.

What period pain is normal?

what helps with period pain Pain can be dull and constant, or come in intense bursts, but what is normal? How painful should they be?

In the book, Period Repair Manual, the author is adminant that periods don’t actually have to be painful and that various factors from diet to exercise and stress can help ease pains.

However, this isn’t everyone’s school of thought. Each woman may experience pain in different ways during their time of the month. It is important to know how much pain is ‘normal’.

It might be time to book an appointment with the doctor if:

You have a very heavy flow
Cramps last longer than 2-3 days or carry on after your period
Pain meds don’t even touch it
You can’t get on with daily life
Pelvic pain
Something doesn’t feel right (Trust your instincts and research!)

Any of these symptoms could point to another condition. If you feel your doctor is dismissing you and not investigating, then see someone else. If that person does the same, see someone else!

Keep doing this until you are heard and investigations start happening. You do not need to live with a painful period.

What helps period pain?

Here are a few things that may help period pain

Heat
Exercise
Massage
Our Remedy oil ‘Moon Swings’

All of these methods are scientifically proven by numerous studies.

What exercise helps period pain?

what helps with period pain When you are on your period I’m guessing the last thing you’ll be fancying is a HIIT class.

In fact, you might find you really don’t have the energy for that anyway.

That doesn’t mean you need to avoid exercise. Increasing the blood flow around the pelvis with exercise can help period pain.

You might want to check out our blog Yoga for Period pain, or if you’re not a Yogi, then think about exercise which encourages blood flow in the legs, such as hip bridges, walking, squats and lunges. Read about that here.

You might not be hitting any PBs right now, but just moving the body will hopefully help!

Where to massage to help period pains

what helps with period pain Massage may help to reduce the contractions in your tummy. You’ll want to have a massage around your abdominal area to best help with the relief.

There are also some pressure points which could help to relieve you of your pain. Try these:

Apply pressure to the skin between your index finger and thumb
Try applying pressure about halfway between your knee and ankle, into the calf and tibia muscles
Lie flat and place a little pressure two inches below your belly button
Place your hands on your tailbone and lie down for a few minutes to relieve your pelvis

Natural oils

what helps with period pain Hemp derived oils such as our Moon Swings may help with your uterine contractions, which make periods painful. Moon Swings contains a unique hemp blend including mint and clary sage, the powerhouse Women’s Oil,

This may help to relax the tissues which contract as well as changing the way in which we perceive pain. Read more on research here.

Other ways this solution could be something what helps period pain is how it is thought to work with sleep. Tossing and turning with insomnia or a racing mind is going to make the next day much harder to deal with.

Having a nightly dose of this wellness oil may help you to drift off and stay asleep.

Read the proven research benefits in detail here.

Why might heat help period pain?

what helps with period pain This is a classic solution to what helps period pain. Hot water bottles, heat packs and baths have been the go to for years.

Heat helps to improve blood flow and relax the muscles in the uterus as well as every other organ in the body. It even improves oxygen tension in the area of its application.

Heat helps to improve blood flow and relax the muscles in the uterus.

There’s nothing quite like a warm bubble bath when you are feeling crampy and let’s face it, crappy.

Is this the perfect period evening?

Take a drop of Our Remedy in a chamomile tea
Do a yoga flow
Eat some chocolate (we’re pretty sure this is medically advised and a proven remedy to treat period pain…yay!)
Have a warm bath with bubbles and a drop of lavender
Put on your fluffy socks and watch a feel-good box set, or hang out with people who make you feel good

What is your perfect evening when your period is getting you down? What helps period pain for you?

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