Period pain happens to everyone. As you know, menstruation occurs when the egg doesn’t get fertilized after ovulation, so the lining of the uterus starts to produce hormone-like substances called prostaglandins that cause contractions in your womb to shed the old lining. You may feel pain and discomfort in your pelvis and back which is called menstrual cramps.

The main reason for period pain or dysmenorrhoea is the contraction of the female womb as it pushes out the old lining. During this time, the woman’s body has an excess of prostaglandins, chemicals produced by the uterus that make its muscles contract.  

There are other possible causes of period pain:

• Ovarian cyst (a mass that grows inside or on your ovary)

• Endometriosis (uterine lining growing outside of the uterus)

• Infections

• Ectopic pregnancy  

• Intrauterine birth control device

• Cervical stenosis (when the cervix is too narrow to let anything flow out)

If your menstrual pain is very strong or continues after your period, please make an appointment with your GP immediately.

Here are most effective non-medical methods that can be helpful in relieving menstrual cramps:

1. Hot tub and aromatherapy

2. Apply a bottle of warm water to your lower abdomen and lie on your side

3. Have a gentle stomach and back massage

4. Don’t wear tight underwear or clothes

5. Have a chamomile tea. According to an Imperial College London study, it can serve as pain relief because it relaxes the uterus.

6. Yoga has been proved to be one of the most effective methods of dealing with unpleasant menstrual sensations. According to a study, women doing regular yoga had less severe menstrual cramps than those who didn’t.  

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Sources:

Menstrual cramps, mayoclinic.org

10 Ways to Relieve Period Cramps, everydayhealth.com