Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

OH LG, I FEEL YOU GIRL! I have the same symptoms as you do I hated with a passion getting my period. Since I got it every month I had been bed ridden and cying in the fetal positon missed school/ work got nothing done and got so emotional/ exorcist girl lol. GUYS!! BE NICE AND HELP OUT! It is inhumane to ask someone to function when feeling like that ( nausea, killer cramps, I was so cold, diearea feeling, headaches, bloat, can't stand up straight, back ache, no appetite, no energy, moody, irritated, sad, feel dirty, feel fat) It made me feel like such a weak and useless female. At first I tried tynenol ( fast acting) at the first sing of cramps and it does work but I felt guilty in taking so many. I felt like such a "pill popper" but it was what I needed to do get anything done. I wanted a natural remedy, because these meds cause acid in the body. Tumeric is the natural pain killer ( Tumeric is just a spice/ food) so no harm!!! :) Thank you GOD for you natural gifts <3

I have known for quite some time that my menstrual cramps are worse on an empty stomach/when my blood sugar is low. I also tend to have low-to-medium grade (I've never actually vomited from cramps) nausea, extremely low energy and a complete lack of appetite during the worst of my heavy bleeding/cramping. All of this is exacerbated by hot, humid weather (Hello July in Minnesota! ) which has sometimes made me completely unwilling to stand or sit upright as all of the muscles in my back and legs throb and tremble in sympathy with my contracting uterus. One memorable August morning 5 years ago I was making breakfast for guests when, in the middle of scrambling eggs, I was forced to go back to bed because the pressure of my HEELS AGAINST THE FLOOR, along with the above symptoms, caused such agony that I thought I was going to pass out. Explaining that was fun.

I usually try to "get on top" of my symptoms by forcing myself to eat something simple like toast or a banana when I first wake up so that I can take 3 ibuprofen, wait 45 minutes or more for blessed relief, and spend the rest of the day trying to keep enough painkiller in my system to function. And also remember to eat because I have no appetite and an empty stomach makes me nauseous and increases the cramping pain- even if I'm on painkillers. I'm not at all happy about all the pills I take just to cope, but who can afford to check out of their life for 2-3 days a month?

And now the important part of my story: Today is a typical hot and humid summer day in MN and it is the first day of my period (yay?) I wake up with cramps, nausea, headache, irritability and aching, trembling back and leg muscles. After staggering around for a while and whimpering, I remember that I have a new bottle of turmeric and didn't I read something about it getting rid of cramps? I quickly mix a heaping 1/2 tsp with a cup or so of warm water and drink it down. (It did not taste bad at all! It kind of tasted like how crushed dandelion stems smell. ) At this point I have not eaten yet or even had a glass of water. After TWO MINUTES, I feel a wave of well-being wash over my body and then, suddenly I realize that ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS ARE GONE. At this point, I am completely giddy with disbelief and relief.

The pain and other symptoms DO began to return again after about 40 minutes. I still hadn't eaten anything, so I quickly fix a little left-over spaghetti with some extra olive oil (turmeric is fat soluble), drink down another dose (1/2 tsp in warm water) as I'm eating and it's now been 4 hours with out any symptoms.

I'm impressed with how quickly this works (on an empty stomach) and the nausea relief is incredible! I wonder if turmeric would help women with morning sickness and anyone else who suffers with nausea and lack of appetite?

I have been taking a teaspoon of turmeric (for inflammation & liver function) every day for about 3 weeks, and this month my period was shorter (48 hours) and less painful than usual. Among its many benefits & effects, turmeric keeps the blood from clotting. Maybe this is why it helps with the menstrual cramps--the uterus doesn't have to work so hard when the blood is thinner? I didn't take the turmeric during my period as I was very busy & concerned that the turmeric might cause excessive bleeding, but next time I'm going to try taking it if I get cramps and see if that relieves the pain.

I have really bad problems with menstrual cramps during my period. One day my sister suggested trying a spice called Tumeric to help relieve them. Saying she had read this on the internet somewhere. So I tried it. She was right. Mixing a teaspoon of Tumeric into a quarter cup of hot water and drinking it, followed by a small glass of milk (to help take the bitterness out of your mouth), relieves cramps in about ten minutes. I swear by it today and use it everytime I need relief.