Wednesday, December 5, 2018

How to: Hacks to Relieve Menstrual Cramps Naturally!


If you're like me and suffer from horrible menstrual cramps every month, I want to share with you something that I wish someone told long ago! It would have saved me decades of unnecessary suffering.

First, let me start by saying that menstrual cramps can have many causes from PCOS (which I have had) to more serious causes,  so you should always check with your doctor and rule out anything serious, and get the okay to take any medications and/or supplements.

After suffering from severe cramps for over a decade, one day, I found out about a natural way to reduce my horrible cramps substantially.  I was with a boyfriend who was seeing a very expensive natural doctor in Yorkville and before we left, he said: "Hey, Doc, any recommendations for monthly cramps for my Girlfriend?" The doctor replied that I should take a calcium/magnesium supplement every day for at least 10 days before the onset of my period. Seemed so simple, and it was!

I picked up some calcium/ magnesium supplements right away and followed the doctor's orders. To my delight, when my period came, the pain was about a 2 out of 10 vs. the usual 8 or 9 out of 10. Keep in mind, you must take the calcium/magnesium for at least 10 full days leading up to your period. If you just take it the day before your period or on the day of, it will not reduce the pain. If you have trouble swallowing pills, a liquid calcium/magnesium supplement will work just as well, if not better due to the better absorption.

Shown are some of my go-to products. I've been using them for years.

Calcium Magnesium Supplement

Liquid Calcium/Magnesium

Also, a heating pad can work wonders! But, we obviously can't always be attached to a heating pad all day. If you can't spend all day on your heating pad, there are also stick on heat patches that were created for back pain that can be used. Just place a patch on your tummy and the heat will penetrate your skin and help reduce the pain. These patches are another great hack for relieving cramps naturally.


Heating Pad
Heat Patches

And, don't forget to make some time to relax as relaxing the muscles is what reduces much of the pain. Sip some hot beverages, too. Preferably chamomile and/or ginger tea as they have anti-inflammatory properties.

A tip worth mentioning is to stay away from caffeine as it can worsen cramps as it's a stimulant and vasoconstrictor, which means that it makes blood vessels constrict and that can also worsen cramping of the uterus.




I wish I had learned these tips sooner as it would have saved me from so much suffering... these hacks really work! This isn't to say that I never take some Ibuprofen. There are times that I forget to take my calcium/magnesium for the 10 days prior and I have to turn to Ibuprofen for relief.

I hope these hacks help you if you also suffer from debilitating cramps. I'd love to hear if these hacks work for you or if you have any other tips and hacks to relieve cramps naturally.




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4 comments:

  1. I'd definitely love those stick on heating patches. And I should definitely be takeing calcium/magnesium. Great advice!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa! They really help. If you take the calmag for at least 10 days prior it really helps!

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  2. I'll have to try these tips, my cramps are terrible sometimes!

    Di from Max The Unicorn

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    Replies
    1. I hope these help you, Di! They really work for me. The cal/mag is a must for me xo

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