Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) accompanied by a range of symptoms like cramps, back pain, insomnia and breast tenderness is quite popular among women when the menstrual cycle comes. For many people, changing lifestyle can help relieve premenstrual symptoms including cramps before period. However, depending on the severity of the symptoms, your doctor will prescribe several specific medications. The treatment’s effect is closely associated with the body features of each individual.
Prescription for Cramps before Period
The prescription drugs commonly used in the treatment of premenstrual symptoms consist of:
- Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) including fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), Sertraline (Zoloft) are effective in relieving the premenstrual symptoms.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs): You should use this medicine just before the onset of menstrual cycle. This type of drug includes ibuprofen and naproxen, which can reduce the discomfort around the breast and cramps.
- Diuretics: Help reduce water retention, for example, spironolactone (Aldactone).
- Birth control pills: These stop ovulation; therefore, they alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Other Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
In addition, certain types of products contribute to relieving cramps and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome such as:
- Calcium: You use 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day in the diet or other forms of supplements to reduce the physical and mental symptoms of PMS.
- Magnesium: 360 milligrams of magnesium for daily use can reduce breast tenderness and flatulence.
- Vitamin E: 400 UI of vitamin E per day can decrease the production of prostaglandins, which is like the hormone causing cramps and breast tenderness. Therefore, vitamin E also has the effect of controlling the symptoms of PMS.
- Herbs: Some medicinal plants that are useful for treating PMS symptoms include chaste tree, ginger, evening primrose oil, and St. John’s wort.
Lifestyle Changes Supporting Reducing Cramps Before Period
Sometimes you can control or relief premenstrual symptoms by changing your diet or taking exercise. In particular:
- Change your diet. It is advisable for you to have several small meals during the day. This will help you avoid flatulence.
- Decrease the amount of salt in food to reduce flatulence and fluid retention.
- Select carbohydrate-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Eat the foods rich in potassium and protein because they can reduce the amount of prostaglandin, which is the main cause of uterine contractions.
- Consume the foods containing much calcium, like broccoli, yogurt, watercress, cheese, and raw milk.
- Reduce the consumption of caffeine and alcoholic drinks. Before the period, alcoholic drinks can intensify unpleasant symptoms. In addition, caffeine can excessively stimulate the digestive system; cause the irritation and increase the risk of dehydration.
- Take exercise at least 30 minutes every day. Some simple exercises like cycling, walking, swimming and doing aerobics will help to improve the health and relieve the symptoms such as depression, fatigue, stress, and insomnia.
- Spend 8 hours per day sleeping. While you sleep, redundant fluids in the abdomen move downwards for elimination. This can help reduce the symptoms of fluid retentions and cramps before period.
Final Words
The tips above are some of the useful methods for cramps before period. Keep in mind that if your symptoms are not too severe, these ways will be effective. Otherwise, you have to suffer from the severity of premenstrual syndrome. It is advisable to go to see a doctor for the best treatment methods.
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