How to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps: 20 Natural Ways

How to get rid of menstrual cramps, you ask? Well, apparently 84.1% of all women are interested in the same topic, according to research results published in the Journal of Pain Research.  How to get rid of menstrual cramps fast without medication, how to ease period pain and how to stop period cramps at night are major issues for women as ‘that time of the month’ creeps up again. As an article from the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains, what we know as ‘period pain’ is formally regarded as ‘dysmenorrhea’. The question with dysmenorrhea is – how do you get rid of menstrual cramps fast? What is the best thing for period pain? Explore the options below for fast and safe relief!

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How to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps without Medication

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1. Lavender

If you want to bask in a wonderful scent and master how to get rid of menstrual cramps naturally at the same time, lavender oil is the natural solution for you. Lavender oil – as well as a few other essential oils – can reduce the intensity of period pain fast than you would have thought.

Instructions

• Take a bit of lavender oil and warm it up in your hands.
• Apply it directly on your skin in the specific areas you feel pain in.
• Gently rub it in. In about fifteen minutes the pain should be noticeably lower.

2. Heat

A tried-and-tested method on how to get rid of menstrual cramps quickly is the good ol’ heat trick. Regardless if you choose a heat pad, a warm compress or even a large bottle of hot water, this is oldest and most reliable trick in the book. In fact, studies show that topical heat can be just as effective for reducing menstrual cramps as ibuprofen.

Instructions

• Fill a large, 2 liter bottle with hot water.
• Alternatively, use a compress soaked in hot water or a heat pad in the painful area.
• Keep it on for as long as you need to and reheat if necessary.
• If your cramps persist and even worsen, immediately contact a doctor for medical guidance.

3. Iron

When studying how to get rid of menstrual cramps and how to get rid of severe menstrual cramps in particular, iron can serve as your golden ticket. During menstruation, women lose a lot of iron, resulting in the oh-so familiar cramps almost everyone suffers from. Subsequently, increasing your iron levels can contribute to the reduction of discomfort.

Instructions

• While on your period, consume iron-rich foods in abundance. Here are a few examples:
  • Meat (red, poultry, pork)
  • Green leafy veggies
  • Beans
  • Seafood
  • Dried fruit (like raisins)
• You should check with your doctor to see specifically how much iron your body requires during menstruation.

4. Vitamin D, K & Vitamin B1

Among our how to get rid of menstrual cramps home remedies, we have an awesome vitamin trio: B1, D and K. Even though you should generally get a healthy amount of vitamins in your system on a daily basis, it is best to boost your levels for these three if you’re undergoing agonizing period pain. Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E are also reliable alternatives.

Instructions

• In a nutshell, increase your daily intake of vitamins B1, D and K. Below you can find sources for each:
  • Vitamin B1: pork, fish, sunflower seeds, wheat, macadamia nuts.
  • Vitamin D: beef liver, egg yolks, cheese, fatty fish, vitamin d fortified cereal.
  • Vitamin K: kale, spinach, basil (dried), scallions, Brussels sprouts, chili.
• Add these foods into your daily diet for the best results.

5. Chamomile

‘How do I get rid of menstrual cramps?’ Well, how does a nice cup of steaming tea sound? Aside from the fact that chamomile tea is an utter joy to sip, it has some kickass antispasmodic properties that will ease those excruciating cramps.

Instructions

• Use either a tea bag or chamomile flowers for your tea. If you choose the latter option, prepare 3 to 4 tablespoons of chamomile.
• Boil 8 ounces of water and allow it to steep for about five minutes.
• Drink 2-3 times throughout the day to keep the pain away.

6. Basil

Basil is one of the best natural ways for how to get rid of really bad menstrual cramps. In addition to the fact that it’s packed with iron, it’s also super rich in caffeic acid, a great element to reduce menstrual pain.

Instructions

• You can make basil tea by adding 2 tablespoons of leaves to 1 pint of boiling water.
• You can also add basil into your home-cooked meals or salads.

7. Flaxseed

If you’re pondering ‘how can I get rid of menstrual cramps?’, flaxseed is always a fine solution. Remember what we said about Omega 3 fatty acids as alternatives for how to get rid of menstrual cramps? Well, flaxseed is an awesome source for them.

Instructions

• Incorporate 2 tablespoons of flaxseed into your daily diet for as long as you need to get rid of period pain.
• Consumption examples:
  • Salads
  • Yogurt
  • Plain

8. (Temporary) Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes the answer to how to get rid menstrual cramps is as simple as being careful with your daily habits. Below you can find some of the best lifestyle tips for lowering period cramps:

Instructions

• If you’re a smoker, cut down on cigarettes.
• Avoid alcohol consumption.
• Try to avoid stressful situations.

9. Physical Activity

Whoever thought that one of the best proven ways of how to get rid of bad menstrual cramps fast is to exercise? Now, we know that exercise is the last thing on your mind if you feel like your abdomen is exploding, but even light exercise can work wonders.

Instructions

• Gradually ease into exercising daily to reduce abdominal pain caused by your period.
• You can engage in exercises like:
  • Walking
  • Aerobics
  • Stretching

10. Magnesium

Iron is not the only mineral that works like a charm for perfecting how to get rid of menstrual cramps fast and naturally. As far as tips for how to get rid of menstrual cramps are concerned, magnesium is just as important as any other nutrient for your body. As a side note, you should get about 400 milligrams of magnesium every day.

Instructions

• Eat foods that are high in magnesium, such as:
  • Dark chocolate
  • Mackerel
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Soy beans
  • Whole grains

11. Mint

Mint is delightful for discovering how to get rid of painful menstrual cramps. Generally speaking, it’s applauded for aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. This means that you can drink it not only for period aches, but also if you’re feeling nauseous. It’s effective in literally all forms, owing to its soothing properties.

Instructions

• Drink some tea made of mint leaves.
• Enjoy peppermint drops.
• Consider peppermint aromatherapy.

12. Carrots

These tasty veggies are a perfect find for those searching how to get rid of menstrual cramps fast at home tips. We know carrots as awesome vision supporters, but they’re just as effective for abdominal pain.

Instructions

• Snack on a bowl of carrots in between meals.
• Add carrots to your salads or cooked meals.
• Drink fresh carrot juice daily.

13. Papaya

Aside from smelling like heaven on earth, papaya does a miraculous job as one of the best remedies for how to get rid of menstrual cramps without medication. Why would you go out and buy over-the-counter pills when you can enjoy this delicious treat? High five to the ‘papain’ content in papaya for making an excellent remedy.

Instructions

• Eat raw papaya every day until the pain subsides.
• Enjoy fresh papaya juice.
• Do not rely solely on papaya if your pain doesn’t go away. Contact your physician if it persists after 3-4 days of frequent consumption.

14. Calcium

Iron, magnesium and calcium are the next super hero trio after the pain-busting vitamins we mentioned in our ‘How to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps ‘ article. This mineral is especially effective for reducing the pain and easing the all-around stress that comes with this monthly nightmare. Moreover, a healthy amount of calcium should be generally consumed on a daily basis – around 1,000 milligrams per day.

Instructions

• Consider taking calcium supplements to speed up your pain relief (roughly 600 mg).
• Consume foods high in calcium, like:
  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese
  • Leafy greens

15. Cinnamon

Just the thought of cinnamon will make you want to get some immediately, especially if you’re going through horrible period pain. Its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory health benefits will get you back on the right track (without any pain) in no time. You can even use it for pain prevention before your period comes around.

Instructions

• Drink cinnamon tea 2-3 times a day when you’re in pain.
• Enjoy food with cinnamon, like rolls or cereal.

16. Parsley

Parsley is outstanding for a wide range of health issues, abdominal pain included. Thanks to its myristicin and apiol content, parsley alleviates menstrual pain quickly.

Instructions

• Boil some parsley tea with fresh leaves.
• Add more parsley into your cooked foods.
• Enjoy salads that contain parsley.

17. Green Tea

Another miracle-worker for how to get rid of menstrual cramps and a bunch of other problems is green tea. It has so many properties and health benefits that it deserves an article of its own, but the main highlights are antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory goodies.

Instructions

• Drink green tea either hot or cooled when on your period. We recommend the first option for faster relief.
• If you feel that green tea isn’t working for you, reach out to your doctor for additional assistance.

18. Fennel

Another great anti-inflammatory agent is fennel, which also comes with antispasmodic properties. The best way to consume fennel for menstrual pain is by brewing some tea.

Instructions

• For 2 cups of fennel tea (the amount you should drink daily), you will need 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds (1 for each cup).
• Prepare the tea as you normally would and add some honey for taste.
• It is also recommended that you drink fennel tea before your period if you know that you’re prone to abdominal aches.

19. Aloe Vera

Ah, aloe vera, one of the best answers for ‘how to get rid of menstrual cramps?’. This juicy plant is one of the best home remedies in the world, literally. Its antioxidant, antibacterial and exceptional healing properties will result in considerably less pain when it comes to abdominal cramps.

Instructions

• Make some aloe vera juice using the gel from inside the leaves. You can extract it by cutting open aloe vera leaves.
• Mix it with honey for an even better taste.
• As an alternative, purchase readily-prepared aloe vera juice from a reliable source.

20. Ginger

The last recommendation on our list for getting rid of menstrual cramps is ginger. Not only is ginger applauded for reducing period aches, but it’s also said that it can help you get normal periods if yours aren’t on track. The awesome part about ginger is that it can be consumed in numerous forms, a few of which are listed below:

Instructions

• Add ginger to your cooked meals. It works especially well in stir-fry.
• Bake a ginger cake or cookies.
• Drink ginger tea using half a teaspoon of ginger for every up. If you choose tea, we encourage you to drink it three times a day.

Conclusion

Period cramps might not be a piece of cake for everyone, but there sure are plenty of alternatives for store-bought medication to soothe your pain. While herbs, vitamins and minerals are all encouraged for treating long-term period pain, the best trick really is to use heat. Try to stay away from stress and gently ease into exercise to make those cramps disappear. In addition to these 20 natural ways on how to get rid of menstrual cramps, there are even more healthy solutions to make you get back in tip-top shape. What alternative would you recommend for your girlfriends? Don’t hesitate to share it with the Home Remedy Book community in a comment!

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