Crushing Cramps: A Guide to Dealing With Period Pain

Ladies, there is no worse feeling than waking up to a visit from Aunt Flow (if you know, you know). First, the chocolate cravings start, then comes the tears, and worst of all, the cramps. Though we can't understand why we have to deal with all of this once a month, there are a few things you can do to tackle your period pain.

Here is a complete guide on how to crush your cramps.

girl, get in the bath

Is your whole body aching and you just feel like you’re about to hurl? Girl, get in the bath. Taking a hot bath is a great way to relieve period pain, whether it be cramps or lower back and body pain. If you want to take it one step further, add some Epsom salts to your tub which will help you wind down even more. Play some relaxing music or throw some TV on while you soak and say bye-bye to those cramps.

namaste in bed

We know that you want to stay in bed all day and eat Ben & Jerry’s—so do we. But, exercising can significantly help your cramps. We aren’t saying you need to run a marathon or lift heavy weights, but we do suggest yoga. There are several yoga poses such as “Cat-Cow” or “Pigeon Pose” that can relieve menstrual cramps. If this isn’t your cup of tea, it‘s totally fine to eat Ben & Jerry’s and watch Grown Ups 2 all day instead.

You need to get off.

Now, we know this might seem a little odd, but you need to get off. Let’s be real, if you’re getting off, you probably won’t be too worried about your cramps. According to Hello Clue, “Research has shown that the feel-good chemicals, known as endorphins, which are released when you orgasm may help relieve stress, menstrual pain, and cramps.” You can either masturbate with a partner or have sex if both parties aren’t afraid of a little blood. Or, you can avoid the partner part altogether and masturbate by yourself with a vibrator or whatever suits you.

Drink tea, darling

Just like Tom Holland, you need to drink some tea, darling. If your cramps have you feeling similar to a whoopie cushion, there are a few herbal teas that can help you “deflate.” According to Healthline, some of the best anti-inflammatory teas are Ginger and Peppermint tea. This will help you wind down and also kick those killer cramps right in the bum.

Hit the hay

We know that your cramps may have you up all night, but it is crucial that you’re getting a lot of rest during your menstrual cycle. SleepScore recommends that you avoid sleeping on your stomach, instead try a fetal position. If you’re still having trouble after changing up your sleeping positions, we recommend snuggling with a regular heating pad, or a stuffed animal one (which is way more fun).

To put it quite plainly, periods suck. We hope that this guide helps all of your pesky period cramps go away, but if not, you can also try some over-the-counter medications if that works best for you. Go put on your pajamas, grab some ice cream, put on a movie, & maybe cry a little babe, you deserve it.

Do you have any period cramp remedies? Leave a comment below.