Menstruation Cramps

Menstruation cramps can be a cause of great discomfort to women going through their periods. This phenomenon can factor as very mild, registering as nothing more than the feeling of extra weight in the stomach to severe, hindering the subject from taking part in any physical activities. They can also attack one’s mood and make it very difficult to focus.

While about half of all women report experiencing menstruation cramps, only about 15 percent report going through severe cases, according to Clitoris.com, an online hub for those wanting to learn more about the functions of the female sexual organs. The most commonly affected group are teenagers, who report experiencing menstruation cramps at a staggering total of 90 percent.

Many women expect menstruation cramps to occur, and they know how to deal with them, but along with most men, these women have no clue as to what the cause of the problem is. For answers, one must go to the endometrium. The inner lining of the uterus is what we call the endometrium . Approximately every 30 days, it readies itself for conception, or pregnancy. If conception does not occur in that period of time, progesterone and estrogen levels fall, resulting in swelling, and eventually a breakdown of the endometrium through menstrual flow.

A new lining develops during every menstrual cycle, but first it must shed the old one. When this happens a compound known as prostaglandins is released. This compound initiates muscle contraction and constricts the amount of blood that makes it to the endometrium resulting in menstruation cramps.

Preventing menstruation cramps may not be entirely possible, but one can treat them as they occur through one or several treatment methods. Some women find sexual activity to provide relief through orgasm. Others prefer abdominal massage or a heating pad. Still others turn to common over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or Tylenol.

A common treatment method that is gaining ground includes the ingestion of herbs to help reduce prostaglandin levels. Some of the most commonly used herbs are cinnamon, evening primrose, feverfew, hops, and ginger. Determining which of these herbs work best is a matter of trial and error, and it eventually gets back to the pain tolerance and the metabolic composition of the subject. In other words, what works for some women may not work for other women.

The good thing about incorporating herbal remedies into how one deals with menstruation is that, save for any allergies, there is no harm that can come from trying. Still, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor about which are the most effective and have a history of producing the best results. And when dealing with the monthly pains and discomforts that arise as a result of menstruation, it never hurts to have a few extra tools to help fight the good fight.