Menstruation or period is the monthly discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.
What is period pain?
Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps is the sensation of cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Menstrual cramps are common in the weeks leading up to and during menstruation.
Menstrual cramps are often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
Do all women experience period cramps at the same intensity?
The crisp and simple answer to this question is no. Period pain intensity varies from woman to woman. They can range from mild to severe. Ten out of 100 women experience severe pain on one to three days every month, making it difficult for them to carry out their daily activities.
Menstruation is still stigmatized in countries like India. Whether it’s your family, friends, or colleagues they still feel uncomfortable discussing periods, let alone talking about menstrual cramps women experience every month. There are a few doctors who don’t take period pain seriously and just prescribe over-the-counter period pain relief tablets to alleviate the pain. Period pain is as severe as joint and muscle pain or body pain. However, the problems with these period pain relief tablets or painkillers are that they are not 100% safe for regular or excessive use.
Pain relief with the healing touch of Ayurveda
Does this mean all women should adhere to traditional thinking? Some women think it’s just part of being a woman to suffer pain. Nonetheless, severe pain that hinders your daily life several times a month, at times preventing you from working, should not be ignored just because it is a natural process.
India has been home to Ayurveda for centuries now. For thousands of years, our ancestors have used natural herbs as Ayurvedic herbal medicine to treat various issues related to the menstrual cycle- period pain, irregular cycles, etc.
Ayurvedic herbs that ease period pain:
- Asafoetida: Asafoetida also known as Hing, has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease period pain. Furthermore, it promotes progesterone secretion, which affects blood flow and reduces menstrual cramps.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil has a high linoleic acid content, due to which it has many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce period pain.
- Cumin Seeds: Cumin Seeds contain antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing period pain and in turn soothe and relax your body.
- Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. It contains an enzyme called zingibain, which helps in inhibiting the production of a pro-inflammatory chemical called prostaglandins and as a result protects the body from inflammation.
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