Every woman experiences stomach pain at least once in her lifetime, so sorry to hear that. Let’s figure out what is happening, why you may feel belly pain and what you can do about it.

Stomachaches have a number of possible underlying reasons:

• You ate something. Digestive problems are the most common reason for belly pain.

• Period cramping, it usually differs from a classic abdominal ache. Try to give yourself a light massage in the area

• Stomach flu may cause belly pain together with other symptoms such as nausea, fever, or vomiting. If you suspect this is the case, see your doctor.

• Gas from the small intestine. It is a natural process, but increased pressure from gas can be too strong and cause discomfort.

• Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is not completely understood even today.   

How to relieve belly pain:

Water

If you are dehydrated, the chances of you having an upset stomach are increased. Your body needs water to help the digestion processes, namely to efficiently absorb the nutrients from food. Drink still water with no additives or bubbles throughout the day.

Don’t lie down

If you have a stomachache don’t lie down, because the acid in the stomach is more likely to travel backwards and move upward if you are in a horizontal position. This can cause heartburn. Stay up for at least a few hours until the bellyache passes. Prop up your head, neck, and upper chest with pillows, ideally at a 30-degree angle.

Ginger is a common natural remedy for an upset stomach and indigestion.

It contains chemicals (gingerols and shogaols) that can help speed up stomach contractions,  moving foods that are causing indigestion through the stomach more quickly.

That’s why ginger may also help to reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

People with an upset stomach could try drinking ginger tea.  

Mint

The menthol in mint doesn’t only freshen your breath, but it may help with preventing vomiting and diarrhea, relieving pain, and reducing muscle spasms in the intestines.

No alcohol or smoking

Alcohol is a toxin so it’s difficult to digest and can cause damage to the liver and stomach lining. Smoking irritates the throat, intensifying the symptoms of an upset stomach. If the person has vomited, smoking can further irritate the tender tissue already sore from stomach acids.

Food restrictions

Cut out any fried or fatty foods, as well as rich or creamy, salty, or heavily preserved meals.

REMEMBER! If your stomachache is abrupt, sudden, or very severe, and lasts more than a few hours, or if your belly is tender to the touch, call emergency services.

Thanks for telling us how you’re feeling today. Log your details with the MIA app to learn more about your body.

Sources:

Abdominal Pain: What You Should Know, webmd.com

Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov