Being female can be a pain

This week is spring break for Butterfly. I came home from the doctor appointment to find Butterfly huddled in bed in pain. She appeared to be suffering from menstrual cramps. She hasn't actually started her period yet (all females in the family have started after age 13) but IS experiencing the awful cramping that occasionally hits almost every woman.

She's in bed sleeping after taking a fish oil capsule, a 250 mg tablet of magnesium, and two ibuprophen. Tomorrow she'll start on chamomile tea alternating with ginger tea, along with pumpkin seed snacks and hopefully, will begin to feel better. This growing up stuff can be rough on the body.

I'm so glad that the Internet allows me to easily research almost any subject. I found that menstrual cramping isn't really well understood but it appears that the pain and inflammation are caused by naturally produced hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. The prostaglandins help the muscles in the uterus to contract, expelling tissue as well as fluids from the uterus during the menstruation cycle. Sometimes those contractions are experienced as cramps.

For unknown reasons, younger women tend to experience more severe cramps than older women. Thankfully, severe cramping tends to decrease in intensity with age, and often disappears after pregnancy. I was fortunate; cramping completely stopped after becoming pregnant with my first child over 30 years ago.

Other factors that are known to lead to menstrual cramps include stress, depression, anxiety, and smoking. Therefore, reducing or eliminating these risk factors may help to reduce the severity of cramping during menstruation.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Menstrual Cramps Treatment
Heating Pads
Many women have found that a heating pad placed on your lower back or abdomen helps to ease the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps. If you don't have a heating pad, one can be easily made by filling a sock with flaxseeds or uncooked rice and heating it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

Chamomile
Chamomile is widely used to treat gynecologic complaints such as menstrual cramps and discomfort related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Add 2 teaspoons of dried Chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for at least 5 minutes. If you are using a package of Chamomile tea bags, then follow the directions as stated on the box. Honey or sugar can be added for taste. A good preventive measure is to start drinking Chamomile tea a couple of days before you are expecting your period, and then drink at least 2 cups everyday during your period. It also feels great if you use your hot mug as a hot compress for your lower abdomen while you are drinking it.

Ginger Root Tea
Ginger root has been found to help relieve the pain associated with menstrual cramps. Therefore, a simple soothing herbal tea can made from Ginger as follows:

* Slice a handful of ginger root
* Let the pieces simmer in boiling water for 15 minutes
* Using a strainer, pour the tea into a drinking cup or mug
* Add some honey as a natural sweetener if desired

Vitamins and Minerals
Foods and supplements that are rich in B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and zinc have been found to reduce the pain, bloating and other symptoms of menstrual cramps.

In particular, calcium is known to help maintain muscle tone as well as prevent cramps and pain. For most women, a daily intake of 800 mg of calcium is recommended, which can be found in 3 cups of milk.

Magnesium
Increasing magnesium is also recommended, since it helps the body absorb calcium. Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, tofu, salmon, shrimp, nuts, and seeds. It is also available as nutritional supplements. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels and is needed for normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, immune function, blood pressure, and for bone health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies.

At least eight studies involving a total of 1,097 women have investigated the relationship between diet and menstrual cramps and have found that fish oil intake seemed to have a positive effect on menstrual cramps.

Animal studies suggest that the two compounds in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may decrease prostaglandin levels.

Acupressure
Acupressure is a traditional healing practice that is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Instead of applying needles to acupuncture points, pressure is applied.

A point that is often recommended by acupuncturists for menstrual cramps is called Spleen 6. Although there are only preliminary studies on acupressure for menstrual cramps, it is a simple home remedy that is often recommended by alternative practitioners.

To find the point, acupuncturists suggest feeling the bony point of the inner ankle. From that point, draw an imaginary line up the lower calf from the inner ankle. The point is approximately four finger widths from the inner ankle. It isn't on the shin bone, but just beside it towards the back of the calf.

With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable.