9 ways to alleviate period pain… and how sometimes they just don’t work.
5.8.20
We've all seen the articles and posts about different at-home remedies for alleviating period symptoms. I have appreciated and used those posts, and looked to them for help so many times.
But today I sit here frustrated and cursing out my body because none of those things are working. I woke up this morning at 3 am with excruciating cramps, shooting back and leg pain, and a blinding headache. I knew everything I needed to do to try and help myself, but I just couldn't get out of bed. Instead I laid there for a couple more hours moaning, tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable position to relieve some of the pain.
As much as I logically knew that getting myself up, grabbing half a banana, taking some meds, climbing into a warm bath with some epsom salts and drinking another glass of water would probably help me in some ways- I just couldn't move. I just wanted sleep to come because I was exhausted. I needed rest, and I felt like my body just couldn't handle it anymore.
A few hours later I got myself up. I made up a bath with lavender epsom salts and sank in, feeling some relief for a few moments, before all the body aches and pain came creeping back in. Nate got me some medicine, and I ate my banana and have been drinking water. I'm now back in bed with a heating pad on my back and a heated massager on my stomach. But everything still hurts. Granted, it hurts much less than it did a few hours ago. And it hurts much less than my periods did before my endo surgery. But it still hurts enough to knock me out for the day and keep me tethered to the bed. My body is aching all over and my cramps won't give me a break. My headache is persistent and I feel like I got hit by a bus.
To be honest- it's all pissing me off. It's days like these where my anxiety rockets and I have to do everything I can to convince myself that my endo isn't back in action already and I'm headed right back to where I was just a year ago. I have to remind myself that there's been so much healing and freedom that we've seen from where I was right before my surgery. But also- I cried and cried this morning, mostly from the pain, but also because I don't want to have to remind myself of healing we've seen when I'm still in the middle of experiencing pain. I just would really like to not be experiencing the pain at all.
Why do I have to continue to calm myself and remember that even though I'm feeling crappy now, I used to feel 10x crappier so really it's not as bad as it used to be- CHIN UP GIRLFRIEND! I don't feel "chin up" today. I feel angry and I feel cheated. I want a pain-free period. It feels like a lot to ask for, but at the same time, is it really? Don't some women have relatively pain-free periods? Uhm hello- can I be one of those??
I write this in hopes that there are ladies out there who can relate to these moments. And men, too. Nate and I talked at the end of the day about how my pain today was discouraging for him. Not because it's a nuisance for him to be around me when things are like this, but because he wants me to be experiencing healing and freedom. And because this pain affects us. It affects our marriage in hard ways. When I am experiencing this pain, I don't want anything to do with intimacy. I don't want him touching me, I don't want to be intimate... I'm literally lost in my anxiety and depression and all I want is rest for my body and it's the only thing I can focus on. And we never know just how long it will last.
All this to say, there are still things I do at home to help alleviate pain during my period and I thought I'd share for those who might need ideas! Although these things might not always completely relieve what I'm experiencing- they at least help manage the pain, even if it's just in small ways some days:
Take an epsom salt bath: Get in a warm bath with some epsom salts and add some lavender oil or lavender bubble bath in there! The heat of the warm water will help relax muscles in your uterus, back, legs, etc- and will help increase your blood flow which will ease pain. Epsom salts remove toxins that are responsible for inflammation, while at the same time releasing magnesium that is absorbed into your skin to relieve pain caused by inflammation and tension. Add a little lavender essential oil in there to contribute to the relaxation of your muscles and create a calming effect! Here are my favorite epsom salts I use (they already have lavender in them): Dr. Teal's Epsom Salts with Lavender
Warm ginger turmeric tea: Drinking warm liquids on your period will help increase blood flow and relax muscles, so even just warm water is great! But adding ginger and turmeric will help- they are both anti-inflammatory and will help ease cramps. I usually take 1/2 inch fresh ginger sliced, the peel of 1/2 lemon, and 1/2 tsp. of ground turmeric, and place those in a tea press with boiling water for five minutes. I then press the liquid out and pour it into a mug with the juice from your 1/2 lemon, and a tsp. of raw honey. Or, you can try Trader Joe's Ginger Turmeric bagged tea- so good!
Yoga for Periods and Chronic Pain: Getting a good yoga flow in has been found to be helpful in relieving cramping and moodiness. Movement can help improve circulation throughout your body, and can decrease bloating. But keep it gentle! You know your body best, so you know what you can handle, but your body is working hard at this time of the month, so take it easy. Here are my two favorite yoga videos that I have found to be very helpful on my period or when I'm dealing with chronic pain: Yoga for Periods. Yoga for Chronic Pain.
Snack on half a banana and/or a handful of almonds: Ya know how athletes eat a banana when they're having a muscle cramp? It works for periods too! Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 and potassium, which can reduce water retention and bloating. They also contain magnesium which is great for relaxing tense muscles. But try to stick to half a banana a day- even though it's natural, they're full of sugar! Almonds are high in calcium and Vitamin E, as well as magnesium!
Use a heating pad or two: I use a heating pad on my back as well as a heating pad on my stomach. Again, the heat helps relax tense muscles, and improves blood circulation to the uterus. I have been using a massager heating pad on my stomach which helps encourage blood flow, and I have a link to it here: Heated Massager
Turmeric latte: Turmeric lattes are one of my favorite drinks while on my period! Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and it's mixed with cinnamon (also anti-inflammatory), almond milk, honey, and coconut oil. It's a warm drink that gives you cozy vibes while also helping relieve some pain! Here's the recipe: Heat 1 1/2 cups of regular unsweetened almond milk with 1 tbsp of coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat until the milk is warmed through. Whisk in 1 tbsp of raw honey (I love Trader Joe's raw honey!), 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and a small pinch of salt. Whisk until you get a good froth going! Pour into your favorite mug that gives you warm, fuzzy feelings, cuddle up with a heating pad and enjoy!
Sleep, sleep, sleep! We all know this, but sleep is so important. During your period, your body is fatigued and doing a lot of work. As hard as it may be, listen to your body and rest when it's telling you to. Try to get into a regular bedtime routine, and do what you can to make sure you're getting full nights of rest. If you feel tired during the day, and your energy is shot- try to nap if you have the ability. Do some gentle yoga poses to wind down and relax your body before bed. Drink a warm cup of DECAF tea before bed (my favorite is Well Rested Tea from Trader Joe's). Turn off your phone 30-60 minutes before going to bed so that your body can start producing melatonin and wind down to prepare you for sleep. I take a melatonin supplement here and there on regular nights of sleep (not super often), but during my period I take it every night because sleep just comes harder for me during my period because of the pain and anxiety, and the supplement always seems to help me fall asleep quicker and I experience deeper sleep. (Could just be me, but it helps me! Also, talk to your doctor before deciding to do this, just to be safe!) Moral of the story: Do what you need to to take it easy the first few days of your period, especially if you deal with heavy periods/severe pain. Your body needs the rest, and will recover quicker with proper care!
Breathe through the pain: This can be hard to do in the moment. So many times, I'll find myself inhaling sharply and holding my breath as cramps come or as sharp pains jab at me throughout my body. As best you can, try to stop and BREATHE DEEPLY in those moments. Breathe in deep through your nose from your belly in moments of pain, and breathe in slowly for 5 seconds. Retain the breath for a second or two, and then slowly let it all out through your mouth for 5 seconds. Continue to do this as often as possible. Controlling your breathing in this way can relax and calm your nerves and muscles, as well as increase blood flow, which will relieve some pain. Again, this is easier said than done, but in moments where I remember to do so, it helps.
Tell your people what you need: Get yourself a support system that will be there with you and through it all. Whether it's your spouse, your roommate, your friend- get someone in on it with ya. Don't go it alone. Anxiety and depression are real friends, especially when it comes to chronic pain. Be real and honest with people you trust and ask for what you need- don't be shy. You are not a burden, you are not inconvenient, you are not alone. Ask for prayer, ask for tea, ask for a back massage or abdomen massage, ask for them to plug in your heating pad or draw a bath for you- be real with yourself and the people around you. Sometimes we all just need a little bit of help, and that's why we have each other! We weren't meant to go through life alone. Community and support is important!
I hope some or all of these things help during your period. Most times, one or more of these things have positive effects for my period pain. But then there are days where, for some reason, they just don't work. And that sucks and is not fun- but if that's you, know that you're not alone. You might just have to do what you can to manage the pain, and hope tomorrow is better.
Here's to all you ladies battling the hell that is wreaking havoc on your uterus right now- some days are hard, some days feel unbearable, but there is hope. There will be days that are not filled with pain. There will be days where you will find healing and freedom from pain that has plagued you for years. Keep fighting, and keep asking for what you need for your health and for your body. I'm with you and there is a community of women around you who are walking through the same things- we are not alone! If you feel alone- please reach out. I'd love to hear your story, and I'd love to pray for you.
Ta-ta for now; and I hope those on their periods are able to better relieve their pain than I was able to today! Keep up the good fight! ;)