by Nerissa Miller

Created on: July 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 16, 2009

Many women are troubled by menstrual discomfort, especially during the first one to two days of your menstrual cycle. You may experience fatigue, excessive sleepiness or even dizziness.

How can we resolve such daunting problem? There is no one remedy that suits all. Some women feel agitated or lethargic a week before their period starts, while others experience such symptoms at the onset. The degree of pain also varies among women, and the pain may be due to ovarian cysts, fibroid or endometriosis. The following are some ways in which can help to reduce your discomfort during menstruation:

Exercise

Regular exercise can help improves blood circulation, and that will help in reducing the effect of menstrual cramps. Contracting, and releasing the stomach muscle, while you do your squats will also help you in reducing the severity of the menstrual pain.

On the shelf pain relievers

Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, apirin or naproxen can be taken at the first sign of your period and can help to reduce the severity of your cramps.

Oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives may reduce menstrual cramps for some people. However, you may want to take into consideration the side effects such as weight gain before you deciding whether to take the pills.

Fresh food and supplements intake

Some supplements such as vitamin B, calcium, and zinc can help reduce cramps, and you will feel less bloated. Intake more fruits such as raisins, apricots, and bananas. Vegetables such as beans, broccoli, and spinach will also be good for you. In addition, nuts are high in vitamin B, and E, thus you may also include that in your diet.

Having a balanced diet will not only help to reduce menstrual cramps, but also help to boost your energy level, and prevent dizziness.

Herbal remedies

Swedish bitter, Cimicifuga raemosa, and Viburnum prunifolium are some herbal remedies that you may consider to reduce menstrual cramps.

Warm water

Drink some warm water, and putting warm water in a water bottle, and placing it on your abdomen may help you relieve menstrual cramps.

Sleep

Getting more rest is important on days in which you feel the discomfort. Nothing is better than a good sleep. You may feel better after a good night sleep, and the pain may simply slip away when you wake up the next morning.

Food to avoid

Avoid eating high fat food, and avoid or decrease drinks that contain caffeine, which will reduce iron absorption, cause dehydration, insomnia, and irritability.

Visit a doctor if your symptoms persists, or if the pain is too intense. Taking good care of your health is the only way to avoid sicknesses, and discomfort during menstruation. You may need a bit of trial, and error to find what are the food, supplements, and exercises that best help you reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.

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