Statistics show that over 90% of women experience menstrual cramps to varying degrees, making this discomfort familiar to nearly every woman. Mild cases cause physical discomfort and mood swings, while severe cases can disrupt daily life and work. Some women turn to medication for relief. While painkillers are a common staple for many, they should not be taken regularly. What causes menstrual cramps in women? 1.Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are a common cause of menstrual pain. Stimulated by submucosal fibroids, the uterus contracts, causing spasmodic pain and resulting in menstrual cramps.
2. Adenomyosis: Adenomyosis is a frequent symptom of menstrual pain. If left untreated, the severity of menstrual pain can worsen as the condition progresses.
3. Chronic pelvic inflammation: Acute flare-ups during menstruation can trigger menstrual pain in women with chronic pelvic inflammation. Additionally, pelvic inflammation can cause pelvic congestion, further exacerbating menstrual pain.
4. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is another significant cause of menstrual pain. The presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus can lead to severe cramping during menstruation.
5. Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during the menstrual cycle, can contribute to menstrual pain. Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, or other hormones can trigger discomfort and pain.
6. Pelvic floor dysfunction: Weakened or misaligned pelvic floor muscles can cause poor blood
3. Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Acute flare-ups of chronic PID during menstruation can cause dysmenorrhea. Additionally, PID may induce pelvic congestion, further contributing to menstrual pain.
4. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a significant factor in female dysmenorrhea, with most affected individuals experiencing painful periods.
5. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Pelvic congestion can also cause dysmenorrhea. Among the symptoms of pelvic congestion syndrome, dysmenorrhea is one of the more common manifestations, affecting over half of all patients.
Avoid Cold Foods and Keep Your Lower Abdomen Warm
During menstruation, applying a hot water bottle to the lower abdomen, using an electric blanket, or keeping a heat pack on hand can help promote blood circulation, relax tense muscles, and alleviate bloating and pain. Additionally, especially in summer, avoid excessive consumption of cold beverages and raw, chilled foods.
Acupoint Massage for Menstrual Cramps Relief
During cramps, try pressing the following acupoints for two to three minutes until a localized sensation of soreness and fullness is felt:
Guanyuan (CV4): A vital health-preserving point that nourishes vital energy, treating vaginal discharge, menstrual cramps, and irregular periods.
Zhongji (CV3): One of the body's key points, effective for treating irregular periods, menstrual cramps, and metrorrhagia.
Dietary Support Offers Remarkable Effects
Corydalis Pain-Relieving Porridge: 10g each of Corydalis tuber, Angelica dahurica, Leonurus japonicus, and Carthamus tinctorius; 100g rice; sugar to taste. Clean all herbs, place in a pot with sufficient water, soak for 5–10 minutes, then decoct to extract liquid. Add rice and cook into porridge. Stir in sugar when porridge is done, bring to a boil once or twice, then serve.Take two servings daily, starting 3–5 days before menstruation, for 5–7 consecutive days. This porridge promotes blood circulation, disperses stasis, regulates menstruation, and alleviates pain. It is suitable for patients experiencing lower abdominal pain before or during menstruation, possibly accompanied by breast and rib discomfort, scanty and irregular menstrual flow with dark blood and clots, pain relief after clot expulsion, cold limbs, and loose stools.
Gelatin and Mugwort Four-Ingredient Porridge: 10g each of donkey-hide gelatin, mugwort leaves, prepared rehmannia root, chuanxiong rhizome, fried licorice root, angelica root, white peony root, codonopsis root, and astragalus root; 100g rice; appropriate amount of white sugar.Select and clean all herbs. Place in a pot with sufficient water, soak for 5-10 minutes, then decoct to extract the liquid. Add rice and cook into porridge. When the porridge is cooked, stir in the donkey-hide gelatin and sugar, bring to a boil once more, then serve. Take two doses daily, starting 3-5 days before menstruation, for 5-7 consecutive days.This formula warms the meridians, dispels cold, removes dampness, and alleviates pain. It is suitable for menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen that ease with warmth, scanty menstrual flow with dark purple blood and clots, accompanied by cold limbs and clear, prolonged urination.
Spleen-Nourishing Porridge: 10g each of Codonopsis, Atractylodes, Astragalus, Longan aril, Ziziphus seed, Aquilaria, Angelica, Polygala, Poria;5 jujubes, 5g licorice root, 3 slices ginger, 50g rice, and brown sugar to taste. Clean all herbs, place in a pot with sufficient water, soak for 5-10 minutes, then decoct to extract liquid. Add rice and cook into porridge. When porridge is done, add brown sugar and boil once more before serving.Take two doses daily during menstruation for 5–7 consecutive days. This formula tonifies qi, nourishes blood, and alleviates pain. Suitable for menstrual or post-menstrual dull pain relieved by pressure, scanty and watery menstrual flow, aversion to cold with fatigue, soreness in waist and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, and shortness of breath.