Natural remedies for period cramps
 

Use heating pads made of flaxseeds or uncooked rice heating it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Chamomile or ginger tea will help reduce discomforts related to cramps.

Foods & supplements rich in vitamin b, calcium, magnesium and zinc are useful to reduce pain. Take 3 cups of milk for calcium. Beans, whole wheat, tofu, salmon, shrimp, nuts & vegetables are rich in magnesium.

Chamomile-lavender tisane works even better than chamomile alone. Raspberry also has a calming effect, even iced (better for hot weather).

Though if you do regularly have extreme menstrual pains or heavy bleeding, it would benefit you to speak with an Ob/Gyn. It can be a sign of the early stages of endometriosis, a serious genetic condition that effects 10-20% of all women, regardless of nationality. It can cause chronic pain and, at its worst, sterility. Endometriosis is relatively easy to treat when dealt with at its early stages.

I love raspberry leaf tea for cramps. It tastes like black tea but without the caffeine. Yummy.

My cramp protocol: 2 Aleve, heating pad, raspberry leaf tea.

But since I had my Mirena put in, I stopped having a period, and so I don't have to endure the cramps like I once did. I get ovulation cramps occasionally now, but that's it.

Hot mint tea is my go to to help with cramps. It also helps regulate the tummy issues I get during my period.

Wine is also good for cramps ;)

very true. Drinking warm water helps me :orly:

Too much salt makes cramps worse, so be aware of this.
Evening primrose oil not only helps cramps and PMS - it makes you feel relaxed. A tincure works best, and a capsule is good too.

Adding pure licorice at this time is exellant for relaxation and overall better energy.

From one of the TFP men:

It also made me think of another "natural" remedy I'm a fan of: marijuana. Works like a charm.

^ Not for me snowy, made my cramps way worse one night. Then again, I'm not sure what kind it was...

Try laying down with your head on the floor and your bum in the air.

That sounds like the downward dog. I'll have to try it out.
http://zenfulyoga.com/wp-content/upl...wnward-dog.jpg

Exercise. The more you feel like giving in to the discomfort and lying down, the more likely some hardcore exercise will help.

If that's not for you, I concur that tea can help (I was a peppermint or camomile fan for cramps) along with a couple of Alleve and a nap.

Yes, ggirly, the downward dog is the ticket, but in a more comfortable way: on a bed or floor, down on all fours, letting yourself rest o your forearms.

More like this:

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...816/608626.JPG
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...816/608626.JPG
(I may not post attachments for some reason, but you can paste url for an internet image. It is pretty adorable.)

For me, child's pose usually helped.

A bit off the topic I know - a mental healthcare professional (male) told me that the closest a man can get to PMTs is going cold turkey drug withdrawl. How can they complain if ladies on rare occassions rampage like junkies craving their oestrogen.
An elderly gentleman told me that men get the menopause too - which is a cheery thought.

girldetective, that's adorable~!
Snowy - arms out, arms in, does it matter? I'll give that one a try.
http://www.womansday.com/var/ezflow_...show_image.jpg http://www.yogajournal.com/media/ori...lasana_248.jpg
Chinese Crested - love your comments here. Am I selfish to hope that men really do go through menopause, too?

For me, arms out, or folded so that my head is resting on them. When I had a kidney stone and didn't know it yet, this was the only position I could get some sleep in. My husband woke up and asked me WTF I was doing :lol:

genuinegirly - I think menopause is puberty in reverse. I used to get interesting tips when delivering for meals on wheels - like, today you wax or shave your legs/bikini line - I am told they stop growing at all - but by then theres no-one that wants to notice. Top tip for soft top owners - if you leave sanitary napkins like 'always' on open display - I used to shove some where the radio pulled out - its a deterrent to naughty boys who nick cars - they have that uncomfortable feeling about such things, and what red blooded male wants to be taken to court charged with nicking a car, and 10 tampax.
I am past cramps and such now, but I used to snuggle my wee dog into my lap like spooning - maybe it was the warmth, maybe part the companionship and sympathy.

My favorite is the jets on the jacuzzi tub. The water really helps too.

I should have mentioned - the raspberry tea helps the womb to shed. Do not take it if pregnant as it can cause miscarriage.
Snowy - I use the same for scoliosis - but did take some once before going to the dentist, and either it stopped the anathsetic working of it had been watered down. Had a workmates granny chatting to us one day. She had been a hospital nurse back in the days when they used it regularly in patient treatment. Such a pity the only first hand proffessional experience has gone now - wonder what patient records would show? Anyway, old gal was in her eighties at the time, and she swore by it for her aches and pains. It may have been illegal for the poor old gal to be smoking pot, but me I think it bloody criminal that people are forced to put up with pain and addictive drugs when there is something kinder on the tummy and nature given that can work to take away pain.
Once, whilst working in a bar a group of people came in, and one had not bought his girlfriend - she had stayed at home with PMT's he was telling them. Well, it wasnt my period, but I wanted to scream in his face 'and how the feck do you think she can avoid them whilst you have dumped her to go down the pub!'
Q. If you slap an 'always' in his boxer shorts, can he then paraglide, ride horses, play tennis, wing walk etc?

Hot water bottles can help with cramps...very soothing.

No, it can't. It doesn't cause the womb to shed. It causes toning of the smooth muscle tissue. It does have a stimulant effect on the uterus, but most of the studies I looked at on Google Scholar suggested that it was safe to consume during pregnancy. Anecdotally, I've known a number of women who have consumed it during pregnancy without issue. I believe it is something women should discuss with their midwife if they are interested in consuming it during pregnancy (because it is delicious).

from: Drinking Herbal Teas during Pregnancy : American Pregnancy Association

Their citation leads to this journal article: RASPBERRY LEAF IN PREGNANCY: ITS SAFETY AND EFFICACY IN LABOR - Simpson - 2010 - The Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health - Wiley Online Library

I'd like to see more studies on the efficacy of it; the studies I did find were rather small.

Another bit of anecdotal evidence for Snowy's statement:
My sister had problems with pre-term labor during a couple of her pregnancies. She found that raspberry tea kept the contractions at bay, and she was able to carry both children full-term.

Hey! To back up a moment ...
whether youre selfish or not, ggirly,
i think men do have menopause.

I believe they sweat quite a lot
over their erectile dysfunction!
Were all in the same boat, all human.

I Exercise, drink tea, and stick to a strict vegetarian diet(no meat, no dairy, no junk).

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

I heard eating chocolate and doing alot of dancing helps.

I usually eat a banana and have hot showers. :) works for me