What doesn't Kill you makes you Stronger.. Or does it..?!

That time of the month again.. When you are already dealing with your body pouring blood, enter the Period Pains..!! When you tummy aches and your back hurts & legs pain and you wish you could just curl up in bed all day and die? Well, wish no more! Today, we talk about Menstrual cramps, the How, the Why and What can be done to relieve them so that you are back to your old kicking self, even when you bleed!


The 'Why...?'

First read up the Normal Menstrual Cycle that I've written about (if not read already).

Now, at the time of menses, the uterus sheds it's lining (bed-like thing that it had prepared in anticipation of pregnancy). Some blood also accompanies the lining. This is Period blood. Period.
Substances called Prostaglandins increase in the blood stream, act on the uterus & make it contract to fully expel it's lining (imagine wringing a soaked towel. Yeah, that's how painful it is!).
This Contraction of uterus is what causes Period Pains a.k.a Menstrual Cramps. Simple. Normal occurrence.

Though Period Pain IS Normal, it doesn't mean that you must Suffer!
Old-wives may say to grin & bear it, but frankly, who has the time to rest when you could be juggling school/college, work, home, gym & family?!
You NEED NOT take a few days off every month. It is a normal occurrence. Pain will accompany. Let's beat it, girl..!!


Some people breeze through their cycles without a blink, while others are debilated for days! If you belong to the former group, rejoice! However, if you are somewhere in between, you need to read further!

The 'What can be done..?'

Irrespective of which group you fall in, do continue the Lifestyle measures that I talk about in my previous post on Pre Menstrual Syndrome.

Fresh foods, Exercise, Less caffeine, More water & Sleep go a long way in making your periods comfortable. Yay..!


However, if you still continue to suffer from cramps:-

1. Hot compress using Hot water bags or Electric Heating Belts.
2. Over-The-Counter (OTC) Pain Killers (Paracetemol or Crocin, Combiflam etc). These drugs do not require a doctor's prescription (not in India, at least). Do try them & see if your pains are relieved. Usually, 1-2 tablets on days 1 & 2 maybe sufficient for majority of women who have mild cramps. There are NO long-term harmful effects of pain killers when taken for a few days every month. None. DO NOT FEAR pain killers. They're here to save you, not Kill you! 
3. Anti Spasmodics (meds which relieve the uterine contractions) - like Meftal spas or Cyclopam maybe helpful when Crocin or Combiflam fail or are less effective. These are also OTC.
4. Visit your Gynecologist! Very severe pains that do not go away with the above meds need to be checked. Your gyno will usually perform or prescribe an Ultrasound examination of the uterus & Ovaries for any abnormalities (like Fibroids, Endometriosis, Ovarian cysts etc) & suggest appropriate treatment for the same.
5. Birth Control Pills may need to be prescribed to make your period cycles Anovulatory (suspend the monthly Ovulation but still get periods).

PS - Feel free to Comment your experiences, 
Share among your friends & family so that they can also benefit 
& Subscribe for more such interesting articles :-)
Follow me on Facebook as Dr Ankita Jain.