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 emotional distress, while severe cases can disrupt daily life and work. Some women turn to medication for relief. Though "painkillers" are a common staple for many, they should not be taken regularly.
Avoid Cold Foods and Keep Your Lower Abdomen Warm
During menstruation, applying a hot water bottle to your 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
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 excessive uterine bleeding.
Dietary Support
Corydalis Pain-Relieving Porridge: 10g each of Corydalis tuber, Angelica dahurica, Leonurus japonicus, and Carthamus tinctorius; 100g rice; sugar to taste. Clean herbs, place in pot with water, soak 5–10 minutes, then decoct. Add rice and cook into porridge. Stir in sugar when done, boil once more, and consume.Take two servings daily, starting 3–5 days before menstruation, for 5–7 consecutive days. Promotes blood circulation, removes stasis, regulates menstruation, and alleviates pain. Suitable for premenstrual or menstrual lower abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by breast and rib discomfort, scanty menstrual flow with dark blood and clots, pain relief after clot expulsion, cold limbs, and loose stools.
Gelatin and Mugwort Four Substances 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 macrocephala, Astragalus, Longan aril, Ziziphus jujuba seed, Aquilaria agallocha, Angelica sinensis, Polygala tenuifolia, Poria cocos,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 thin menstrual flow, aversion to cold with fatigue, soreness in waist and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, and shortness of breath.