Every month, the return of menstruation can be a nightmare for some, bringing with it a host of fears and apprehensions. If this is the case for you, you are not alone in suffering, as it is estimated that 79% of women suffer or have suffered from painful periods ( Ipsos & Theramex survey, April 2019 ), also known as dysmenorrhea.
To find the root causes and solve them, it is interesting to look at different factors such as hormonal imbalance, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies or overloads, mechanical blockages in the pelvic area, but also digestive disorders or excess stress. Going through these different pillars is a holistic and fruitful in-depth work, but for now we wanted to share our natural tips to relieve your menstrual cramps and other discomforts in the moment.
The use of heat
In hydrology, a water treatment technique, we use both cold and hot water for their various benefits.
Hot water is recommended here for its relaxing effect on the muscles and will help calm uterine spasms, these contractions aimed at eliminating the endometrium but which cause the famous painful cramps in the lower abdomen, which can also radiate to the lower back, lumbar region and even to the legs for some women.
You can then use a hot water bottle to warm the lower abdomen area , but also hot baths or hot showers to relax the entire body.
Rest
During menstruation, the amount of iron decreases due to blood loss, but it is iron that is responsible for transporting oxygen to our cells, particularly to our mitochondria, which are the energy cells of our cells. This explains why we feel more tired during this time. Rest is then key for the body to regenerate and for the pain to ease.
You can take advantage of this time to take a few naps when you can, go to bed earlier but also stay calm by practicing activities such as relaxation , meditation , writing , an ideal way to anchor yourself in the moment, take stock of the past cycle and honor the energy of this phase of the cycle.
The gentle movement
Let's face it, when you're suffering from painful periods, all you want to do is curl up in bed. However, engaging in a little gentle movement, such as stretching or a bit of walking, helps keep your blood and lymph flowing properly , gives you a bit of energy , and also releases endorphins that soothe the pain. It's all a question of feeling; listen to your abilities and your energy levels for the day to choose how to mobilize your body.
Abdominal breathing
Breathing is a completely intuitive and automatic act that we practice all day long and yet when we pay particular attention to it, it has many beneficial effects on the body , including regulating pain .
To do this, here is a very simple abdominal breathing exercise that you can practice during your period.
Make yourself comfortable, lying down or sitting, close your eyes and place both palms on your lower abdomen.
Focus your attention on your breathing, observe it and take a few completely natural breaths in and out, without trying to change the rhythm or amplitude.
Then, little by little, feel your belly expand as you breathe in gently through your nose, and deflate as you breathe out through your nose. Feel the wave that runs through your body with each breath, soothing it.
You can practice this exercise as long and as often as you like; it's a good way to reconnect with your body and listen to it.
Infusions
As you now know, heat helps to relax spasms and soothe, so we're not going to deprive ourselves of hot drinks and infusions during our painful periods.
Recommended plants for calming menstrual pain include raspberry leaves , Roman chamomile , and lemon balm .
For example, you can prepare a 1L thermos in the morning with 10g of each of these three dried plants and drink it throughout the day.
Before using any plant, always check its contraindications to ensure that it corresponds to your situation and state of health.
Self-massage of the belly
Manual techniques are among the tools at hand in naturopathy, so let's not deprive ourselves of them. In the specific case of painful periods, you can massage your stomach and lower abdomen with very light pressure in a clockwise direction while breathing calmly and deeply, as seen previously.
In order to combine the effects of self-massage, it is interesting to use soothing and antispasmodic essential oils .
Here is an example of a composition you can use:
- 1 tablespoon of warmed castor oil
- 6 drops of methylchavicol basil or tarragon essential oil
- 2 drops of litsea or lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 drops of fine lavender essential oil
Always remember, before using an essential oil, to check its contraindications , then apply a drop to the inside of your elbow to make sure you are not allergic to it and wait 30 minutes before applying it more extensively.
The Menstrual Comfort Treatment
Every month, the return of menstruation can be an ordeal for some, bringing with it its share of fears and apprehensions. The Menstrual Comfort Treatment has been formulated to promote good hormonal balance during the cycle and thus help you live them better . Made from 99.6% ingredients of natural origin , the Menstrual Comfort Treatment contains a synergy of vitamins, minerals and plants known for their action on menstrual discomfort:
- Shatavari , a plant from the Ayurvedic tradition, has remarkable virtues for relieving most of the discomforts occurring during the menstrual cycle: irregularity , pelvic or breast pain , mood swings .
- Magnesium plays an essential role in mood by participating in the synthesis of serotonin . This mineral also helps calm abdominal cramps while preventing water retention .
- Lady's mantle helps rebalance hormones in cases of menstrual problems, both in terms of regularity and abundance of periods, while reducing pain .
- Vitamin B6 helps rebalance hormone levels in the body, helping normalize sebum production for more even skin and complexion. Zinc combined with vitamin B6 will also help reduce skin imperfections that occur during the menstrual cycle.
You are now armed with a natural toolbox to soothe your aches and pains and get through your next menstrual phase as best as possible.
And you, what are your tips for dealing with menstrual pain?
