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BANG FOR THE BITE
Natural relief is likely better for your liver but not quite as effective as those easy-to-pop green gelcaps.
COCKTAIL FACT
Ella Fitzgerald often changed the lyrics of "The Lady is a Tramp" to praise Frank Sinatra: "...and for Frank Sinatra I whistle and stamp!"
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home › tip library › Cramp Control
Aching belly got you whimpering like a cocker spaniel?
The Bite
Stray from regular cramp control methods. Instead, try a holistic approach that includes techniques like massage and natural pain relievers and that isn't so doggone synthetic.The Benefits
- Getting a leash on pain. Alternative medicine practitioners have used these remedies for centuries.
- Feeling less shaggy. Natural options such as primrose oil are less likely to cause side effects than your average dose of prescription-only Ponstel.
- Not treating the earth like a pooper-scooper. Fewer synthetic pills means less chance of toxic chems ending up in our water supply - and the water supplies of at least 24 major American cities already contain trace amounts of pharmaceuticals.
Personally Speaking
Jen uses her cramps as an excuse to get massages - but suspiciously, she gets them more than once a month...Wanna Try?
- Exercise - it improves blood and oxygen circulation, including through the pelvis, and releases feel-good endorphins.
- Get a Massage - massage therapists can target your abdomen to ease the tension.
- Avoid Caffeine - it constricts blood vessels and increases tension.
- Eat Less Dairy and Meat - antibiotics we add to certain foods may make cramps worse.
- Spice with Cayenne - cayenne pepper also improves blood circulation.
- Jigsaw Health Activated B - sustained-release B vitamins; Bs may also help with nonmenstrual cramps ($30).
- Spectrum Essentials Evening Primrose Oil - widely used in Europe for PMS symptoms, it packs healthy omega fatty acids; so does borage oil ($11-$15).
- Aura Cacia Jasmine Massage Oil - jasmine's another PMS symptom-soother; use it to massage your abs ($7).
Jun 19,2008
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Cramps? My Style:
Unless I'm washing my hair, I consider my showers light-speed - literally two minutes or less most days. This makes me feel better about taking baths when I'm stressed, need total alone time, chilled to the bone, or yes, have cramps - abdomen, back, neck, shoulder, legs, whatever's a-hurtin'. A few drops of essential oil (for regular cramps, rose and jasmine are especially nice), followed by a cup of chamomile and a good night's sleep will go a long way toward ironing out the kinks. Also effective: Sad puppy dog eyes when your sweetie's around - you'll have a free massage in no time.
-Jenifer Morgan...off to pretend I have a cramp...
Biter Comments...
I found a product recently that I love. Cramp Bark Extra by Vitanica. There were a bunch of similar products at Whole Foods too. I get killer cramps, and this helped.
heat always helps me too (i made a rice bag heat pad out of old denim), but i am interested in trying some of these other methods. in looking a little closer i noticed the Spectrum Essentials Evening Primrose Oil has gelatin listed in the ingredients, a heads up to strict vegetarians.
For those suffering from dysmenorrhea (painful periods), I highly recommend the book "Smart Woman's Guide to PMS and Pain-free Periods." by Linda Woolven.
It explains what, why and when certain foods and supplements can relieve which symptoms. It appears that the cramping is often caused simply by having a deficiency in something or excess salt, sugar, etc.. There's far too much info in that book to post here!
I don't understand why you should "avoid caffeine" to get rid of cramps. If caffeine does, as you say, constrict blood vessels and increase tension, why are there pain relievers with caffeine in 'em like Anacin and Excedrin, which have been around for years?
I take the Wal-Mart store brand of Excedrin, or, as I call it, triple-strength, Equate pain reliever that contains acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, and that works great for me for all kinds of aches and pains, menstrual ones included. There have also been times when I've alleviated a headache just by drinking a cup of coffee. So, I don't understand the "avoid caffeine" thing. I guess I'm just one of those for whom caffeine has the opposite effect than it apparently has on most folks.
I've been using Moontime Cramp Oil from Blooming Lotus. It feels soooo good.
I've been taking 1000mg of Evening Primrose Oil every day for about 5 years and it's amazing how well it works! It took about 3 months of taking it every day before I noticed any big difference, but now I don't even notice when I start whereas 5 years ago on my first day I would be curled up in a ball on my sofa!
i'm just wondering why the title of this tip was "aching belly got you whimpering..." when the last time i checked, an aching 'belly' was not the source of monthly cramps for women. is this an attempt to sanitize tips or not scare off the men folk? let's call it what it is!
"Alternative medicine practitioners have used these remedies for centuries."
I hate to be a spoilsport, but the Chinese have been using rhino horn for impotence for centuries too. Just because something's been around for a long long time doesn't validate it. Exorcism has been around for MILLENIA, as have war, racism, etc. Just because we've been doing something for a long time is not reason to continue. The results are what matter. I'm sure these remedies are great, and I certainly agree with your other points, but c'mon!
One other remedy that was missed (and I'm surprised it was) is plain old raspberry leaf tea. It works incredibly well both before and during your period to gently relive pain and other symptoms. Look for an organic brand or just buy the dried leaf and use it in a tea ball or basket. If anyone wants more information on it check out the book The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody. Its a great resource for herbal remedies and how to make them.
Since I started taking Triple Omega Complex 3-6-9 I don't have cramps any more. I don't even have to take it every day, just a few times throughout the month.
I know it may seem extreme but the *very first* period I had 30 days after I went vegan I had NO CRAMPS and no radical mood swings. This after a lifetime of cramps and difficult periods (I once had to be bedridden because I forgot to pre-empt my period with motrin). I read in "Becoming Vegan" that each animal product causes your body to react by producing estrogen. So, I thought if I cut all that out then I would be able to stop with cramps, mood swings, and the like. Since then, I haven't taken a motrin or aspirin to do with a period since 2004.
Also, it may seem gross at first but glad-rags or luna pads are a great way to save money and the environment. Pretty easy too, wash and wear (after a little soaking).
Like I said, my way may seem extreme, but there may be a different solution for every woman. We are all individuals after all. ;-)
rubbing peppermint oil - chamomile and lavender are also nice add-ins - on your "belly" (outside, general description of uterus!) helps me worlds. i've also had great experience with the hot water bottle. i also find that being well-slept, well-hydrated, and less stressed, makes the difference between barely detectable cramps and curling up in the fetal position, for my body, anyway!
I find I have much worse cramps if I wear tampons than pads. I think the tampon holds the blood (which is filled with prosglandins) against your tissues,which make the 'contractions' stronger. Just a theory.
Don't know if any Diva cup/Keeper users have any feedback on this front.
Also, a good orgasm can relieve cramps for a while...
As a loyal Diva Cup (http://www.divacup.com/) user for 2+ years I can say that Evelyn's comment is spot-on, restricting the flow of blood actually does increase cramps, using a Diva Cup relieved my cramps quite a bit because the blood can flow much more freely.
I was surprised that neither the Diva Cup or the Keeper (http://www.keeper.com/) were mentioned in this Bite! They are FANTASTIC ways to reduce one's impact on the environment, and nowhere near as messy as one might think. I left my cup at home while on a quick weekend away a year or so ago and had to use tampons, and I could not believe how much more messy they were than my cup. I never leave home without it now! In the past two years I have bought one box of pantyliners to use as an emergency guard for heavy days, I'm only a quarter of my way through the box - it saves money too!
I find that the Diva cup has no effect on cramps. Also, acupuncture helps reset whatever imbalances are in the body. Theoretically, a body in harmony should never experience cramps. Personally, if I have cramps, it's time to go for a few sessions of acu.
this says to avoid meat and dairy and it cites antibiotics.i disagree, meat and dairy are both a good source of nutrients which leads to a healthier body and less brutal periods. also, meat is a good source of protien and iron. being low on iron can make you feel really nasty when you get your period. if you are concerned about antibiotics, try organic meat and dairy. thanks!
Shannon, I checked out the websites for both the Diva Cup and The Keeper (Moon Cup). YIKES! How in the world does one WEAR one of those things anyway. They look AWFULLY uncomfortable! And then you have to clean them out and put them back in, however you do that. No, thank you! Frankly, I've never even seen those cups in any drugstore. At any rate, I'll stick with pads myself. Those cups look like WAY too much of a hassle, but if you prefer 'em to pads and tampons, suit yourself. I seriously doubt I would, but, to each her own.
Shar, acupuncture sounds like an terribly expensive way to get rid of menstrual cramps. If you can afford it, fine, but we po' folks just have to settle for less exotic remedies for our cramps.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Zea | June 19, 2008 at 05:53 AM