The importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle has been branded into our minds over our lifetimes, and there is a good reason for it -- these activities lead to an overall better life. Moreover, when it comes to lessening or even completely eliminating menstrual cramps -- your lifestyle can play a major role regarding the severity of these unwanted monthly pains. Obesity, drinking and smoking In 1996, the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported findings on a study that followed 165 women over the period of one year. The most telling findings of this study concluded: • Very heavy women increased the risk of succumbing to menstrual cramps by about 75% • Active smokers increased their risk of suffering from cramping pain two or more days by about 50% • Drinking (alcohol) while dealing with menstrual cramps increased the intensity of, and the duration of, the cramps.
In simple terms -- being obese, or even overweight, is a major contributing factor to menstrual cramps, being an active smoker may significantly increase your chances of extending the length of time you have to deal with menstrual cramps, and drinking during your time of the month may very well make your cramps hurt more and last longer. This study performed some twelve years ago really underscores the need for women to choose moderation over indulgences, and a health-conscious lifestyle over one rife with vices. Importance of exercise and rest When you are talking about lifestyle, rest and exercise naturally fall in line here. We all know that exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, but where it is especially relevant to warding off menstrual cramp pains is in what exercise helps to produce in our bodies -- endorphins.
Endorphins are our built-in "happy pills", or more aptly -- like the morphine button they give out at the hospital to injured or ill patients; they are our bodies’ natural pain killers. Exercise stimulates, or triggers, endorphin production during the initial stages of a workout regimen, and can have a significant impact on the amount of pain that you might experience during your period. Now, while you can reserve your exercise routine to your time of the month and will still benefit from the release of endorphins -- making a lifestyle choice of continual exercise can make it much easier to commit to a half-hour of light exercise during your period to help alleviate any pain or discomfort that you feel at that time. Proper rest, much like exercise, is an important factor in your bodies ability to deal with pain adequately. In our never-a-dull-moment society, many of us fail to get adequate sleep at night, or even "down time" during the day. A well-rested body is more capable of coping with, and compensating for, painful menstrual cramps. In all honestly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle -- one that incorporates ongoing exercise, a conscious effort to maintain a healthy weight, getting plenty of rest and giving up unhealthy vices, especially during your period, may be all it takes to lessen the intensity of, or to eliminate completely, the monthly pain felt from menstrual cramping.
The condition of endometriosis (which affects 1 in 10 women) can also increase the pain a woman will feel during this time. There are a few women that seem to suffer no pain at all, whereas many have them so bad they can barely get out of bed for days during their cycle.
Relief from this pain is something many women search for but it needs to be consistent. Pain relief pills seem to be the most prescribed option amongst women.
A tablet by the name of 'Pamprin' is used by many women who say it works wonders for them, possibly because it was formulated for just that one reason. Although many women prefer not to take any form of medication, this does you no credit if you cannot do anything for days each month.
After all, if your stomach cramps are getting you down every month then what do you have to lose? The cramps aren't the only thing that has to be endured either; the feeling of having eaten too much and nausea can also be a problem.
After some time of enduring these pains I realized that I was only hurting myself and looked into other menstrual cramp relief remedies. Of course when the complaint is irregular it can be even more annoying because there were some cycles where I felt almost no discomfort at all!
I have tried all sorts including quite recently a heat pad which seems to work but I do have to vary where I position it for it to be effective. If you have tried pain relief pills and don't always find they work then it may be worth you trying a heat pad to relieve your discomfort.
This may not be that effective for women that exhibit painful and disabling menstrual cramps each cycle: they might want something more powerful. The problem worsens when every month regular as clockwork you have to call in sick from your job.
If you are finding the problem is getting too much then arrange for your doctor to prescribe a stronger form of menstrual cramp relief. Quite often it can be a simple case of being prescribed one of the birth control pills as these are effective for many women and this might be something your doctor recommends.
Your doctor will probably have a number of available options to talk to you about because if you are trying for a baby you can't use the pill now can you?Just remember to talk about your health matters with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to be on the Pill, and remember, this isn't an option if you are trying to get pregnant and in that case, you may just have to grin and bear your discomfort. It may take some trial and error but you will find a remedy eventually.
Both Brad Hodges & Shannaabraham are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brad Hodges has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Debt Consolidation and Wellness. Brad Hodges and his daughter Lauren, the Executive Director of the woman's health division, have a compassionate desire to help women seek out answers and solutions to their health issues. A newsletter addressing these needs is available and a sign up for. Brad Hodges's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.
Shannaabraham has sinced written about articles on various topics from Menopause. As you become older the cramps associated with PMS can get worst. at the , the situation can become worst unless you take step now to minimize. Shannaabraham's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.