Three Ways To Manage Period Pain Without Popping Pills

It's not unusual to experience some abdominal cramps each month when your period comes. While popping some pain relievers may make you more comfortable, these medications can have side effects, so they're not always the best choice. Here's a look at three pill-free strategies to help ease your period cramps.

Accupressure

Accupressure is a traditional medical technique that relies on physical pressure. Basically, you press on a certain trigger point on the body, and this helps release blocked energy that is contributing to your pain. There are a couple of accupressure points connected to menstrual cramps:

• The inside of your ankle: Press your finger alongside the inside of your shinbone about 2 inches above the bony part of you ankle. Hold the pressure steady for about 30 seconds. During this time, you should feel your cramps lessen.
• Between your thumb and forefinger: Using the thumb and forefinger of one hand to grasp the flap of skin between the thumb and forefinger of your other hand. Hold the pressure firmly and steadily for about 10 seconds, and then switch hands.

You can apply pressure to these points as many times as needed throughout the day; use them whenever your cramps start building up again.

Heating Pad

Applying heat to your abdomen will help relax the muscles and soothe your cramping. You can purchase an electric heating pad at the drugstore and use it for about a half hour at a time. Alternatively, try putting a few towels in the dryer. Pull them out, one by one, holding them against your stomach until they lose their warmth. When one towel is no longer warm, switch to another one.

Get Intimate

It may be the last thing you feel like doing when your stomach is cramping up, but, if you can manage to get yourself in the mood, a little intimate action with your partner may help ease your cramps — especially if you achieve orgasm. Orgasm helps relax the muscles in your uterus, and it also triggers the release of hormones that help keep pain at bay. If you don't feel comfortable getting intimate with a partner at this time of the month, then perhaps it's time for a little solo session.

Don't let period pain keep you down all week. With the strategies above, you can ease your cramps without popping pills and be back to feeling like yourself in no time.  

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