Written by: Kristýna Vondrová
Disgusting. Oversensitive. Excited. Either those around us honor us with such stickers, or we place them on our foreheads for that unpopular week of the month ourselves. In any case, we have a right to be in a bad mood and grumpy. Our uterus cries over an unfertilized egg, poetically speaking. And her red tears are usually accompanied by physical discomfort, most often in the form of pain or cramping in the lower abdomen.
Although we showed in the article about four phases of the cycle and four women in one body that even menstrual bleeding and baby domination have their advantages, almost no one welcomes the period with joy of us.
What causes abdominal pain during menstruation?
The length and strength of menstruation depends on various factors, mainly the hormonal balance in the body during the menstrual cycle. It is primarily controlled by estrogen and progesterone. If estrogen levels (e.g. due to an imbalance) are higher than usual, there can be more build-up of the endometrium, which means heavier and longer periods. Conversely, lower estrogen levels can lead to lighter and shorter bleeding.
During menstruation, the body releases prostaglandins to encourage uterine contractions and help it expel the endometrium. The increased level of prostaglandins (which are also released during labor contractions) results in increased activity of the contracting uterine muscles. And muscle strain equals pain, this applies to running and menstruation.
Bleeding intensity is also influenced by genetic disposition, age and stage of life, use of hormonal contraception or hormonal treatment methods, lifestyle and health condition (endometriosis, fibroids or polycystic ovary syndrome).
You’re not being oversensitive—it may be dysmenorrhoea
You belong to women, which nature gave the wine a particularly unpleasant beginning of the cycle? During the first few days of your bleeding (in addition to abdominal pain), do you also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and chest tightness? And did you hear the inappropriate remarks from the gym teacher at the base that only hypochondriacs excuse themselves from exercise because of their periods?
Maybe she was wrong. Up to 50% of women suffer painful menstruation or dysmenorrhea. It occurs most often in teenage girls and usually takes them out of their school or work duties and social life for one to three days. If you can't get relief from period pain with conventional remedies (which are covered in this article), discuss your situation with your gynaecologist. And don't be put off by the "pink lentil" recommendation. We don't have to accept chronic pain as the norm of menstruation.
5 tips to relieve menstrual pain
How to effectively relieve your body and send yourself to greater well-being? In our team, we will put our hand to the fire for the following five gadgets.
1. Heat as a natural medicine
Imagine that moment when you curl up in a blanket with a heating pad on your stomach after a long day. Thermal compresses (either in the form of a lumbar heating belt or various heating pads) have a miraculous effect on increased tension in the pelvis and lower abdomen. The latest research shows that the beneficial effect of heat is comparable to the relief brought by painkillers. So put on a menstrual cup and load yourself into a hot tub. Or try heated piercings from Body Moody.
2. A menstrual cup instead of a tampon
The menstrual aid you choose also has an effect on menstrual pain. Disposable tampons in particular are very uncomfortable for many women and the pressure they put on the cervix can cause great pain. An alternative to cotton swabs is menstrual cup, which allows free bleeding, its use is absolutely hygienic and much more gentle on the body than disposable devices. Thanks to its shape and material, it does not interfere with the body's natural balance, and women often agree that they feel less cramping while wearing it.
3. Give your body the nourishment it needs
A proper diet is key during menstruation. Due to blood loss, it's important to supplement iron and support its absorption with vitamin C. And don't forget magnesium, which can tame menstrual cramps.
Due to the increased need for hydration, cook or order broths, ragouts or other alternatives to your liquid comfort foods. They warm the body from the inside and hydrate you. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger or turmeric warm the body beautifully and support digestion. So why not prepare a turmeric latte as part of home hygge?
If you prefer herbal teas, we recommend tea Flowering Indian girl. Its composition with red clover and contryhel contributes to hormonal harmony, menstrual comfort, normal functioning of the urinary tract, muscles, joints and digestion. Moreover, you can get it not only online, but also in brick-and-mortar stores of Dm drogerie!
4. Move... slowly
If you don't feel up to peak athletic performance during your period, allow yourself to rest. In this phase of the cycle, most women experience an energy slump caused by a drop in progesterone and estrogen levels, a loss of iron and other nutrients. But that doesn't mean you should spend the next 5 days on the couch. A walk in nature, stretching, tai chi, swimming or gentle yoga - slow, relaxing movement will do you good. Certain yoga poses in particular can help relieve both menstrual cramps and PMS. Try practicing from the comfort of your home, for example, a set of asanas to relieve menstrual pain according to the queen of home yoga Yoga with Adriene.
5. A dose of oxytocin
The body can cope with painful uterine contractions on its own if we serve it a sufficient supply of oxytocin, the hormone of love and well-being. Prescribe it in the form of an orgasm. In this way, you will also ensure a welcome supply of blood to the pelvic area. Involve your partner or vibratorin the journey to pleasure (with analgesic effects). By the way, feel free to combine this tip with a hot bath from point 1. All versions of the Whoop·de·doo vibrator are waterproof.
We hope that with our tips you can more easily turn unpopular days of menstruation into self-care time.
When it doesn't end in pain: PCOS and endometriosis
Do you feel that painful menstruation is only a fraction of your problem? Period pain can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Both diagnoses affect not only our cycle, but also the overall health of women, including fertility and psyche. They are accompanied by hormonal imbalance, the label "incurable disease" and insufficient education.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS represents one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, affecting up to 15% of women. Symptoms are very individual and appear to varying degrees. These may include, for example:
- irregular/absent or excessively heavy periods
- excessive hair growth
- acne and increased sebum production
- weight gain
- hair thinning
- eating disorders
- psychological problems - depression, anxiety, insomnia
- ovarian cysts
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is located outside the uterus, most often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or in the pelvic cavity. Women with this challenge (of which there are up to 10% of the population) describe the following symptoms:
- pain in the lower abdomen
- long-term fatigue
- pain during intercourse and menstruation
- blood in the urine and stool
- nausea
- infertility
Find support through Indiánky
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, contact your gynaecologist as soon as possible, who will examine you and recommend other specialized experts. Diagnostics includes ultrasound, laboratory examination, or magnetic resonance imaging.
As we mentioned, both PCOS and endometriosis have a negative impact on a woman's self-esteem. In the context of diseases, you will still encounter a lack of awareness among doctors and the public, and the tabooing of these topics. That's why we're big fans of organizations that offer women with these diagnoses comprehensive information, experience sharing, and overall support. In the Czech Republic, there is an educational platform (and support group) Indians. On their website you will find articles, women's stories and links to experts who can help. Do you like the project? Follow Indian girls on their Facebook or Instagram. The project ENDOtalks focuses specifically on endometriosis.