How to naturally relieve painful periods?

Nearly one in two women suffers from painful periods. (1)

While it’s possible to treat menstrual pain with medication, this medical solution may not be suitable for everyone.

Some women simply cannot take certain medications due to a history of allergic reactions or intolerance.

Others prefer to avoid the long-term side effects of medication. For instance, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to gastrointestinal problems over time.

Finally, some women prefer a more natural approach to their health. They seek alternative methods to relieve pain.

How can you feel better and enjoy daily life even during your period? Let’s discuss natural remedies recommended for relieving menstrual cramps and period pains.

1. Is the hot water bottle effective for relieving painful periods?

A study was conducted on 527 women experiencing menstrual cycle pains. (2) When asked « what is the most effective treatment to reduce period pain? », the application of heat ranked first, ahead of medications and their side effects (heartburn, nausea, diarrhea…).

We all know the trick of using a hot water bottle to relieve menstrual pain and reduce dysmenorrhea. This trick is often mentioned because heat is highly recommended for calming painful periods.

Benefits of heat for menstrual pain:

– Heat stimulates blood circulation, which helps reduce lower abdominal pain by increasing blood flow to the uterine muscles.

– Heat relaxes the uterine muscles, reducing premenstrual and menstrual contractions and pain.

– Heat helps release endorphins, the feel-good hormones with analgesic effects (pain reduction).

– Heat provides a relaxing effect. It’s like a « hot bath » effect: heat relaxes the body and mind, reducing stress that can exacerbate pain.

However, the hot water bottle is a solution that quickly shows its limitations…

Larger, it needs to be held to target the painful area.
Whether lying down or standing, its weight must be borne.
The heat isn’t instant; you first need to heat the water and wait a bit to avoid burning yourself.
The heat inevitably diminishes over time…
And the hot water bottle doesn’t solve the problem of outings or work (not very discreet)!
So what do you do?

The heating menstrual belt: the hot water bottle for painful periods 2.0

For those who enjoy the penetrating warmth of water to relieve pain, you won’t be disappointed! The heating menstrual belt replicates this sensation with two major advantages.

1. Speed: No need to wait for your hot water bottle to be ready and at the right temperature. With the heating belt for painful periods, the heat is instant
   
   
2. Consistency: As long as the belt is on, the heat is there. No need to get out of bed or off the couch to heat up the hot water bottle again! You can also choose heating levels and maintain warmth, which is impossible with a hot water bottle.

Say goodbye to premenstrual syndrome worries! This flexible, lightweight, discreet, and effective menstrual belt delivers gentle warmth on demand. In no time, the pain becomes bearable, almost nonexistent.

5 good reasons to switch to the Climsom heating belt for periods

• The heat diffusion is immediate and continuous. A simple press of a button is enough to alleviate pain, cramps, and spasms. Adjustable, its elastic band also allows for better heat application, resulting in improved sensation, comfort, and effectiveness.
  
  
• The menstrual pain relief belt discreetly slips under clothing and operates silently (no beeps or vibrations). It’s as practical at work as it is outdoors.
  
  
• You don’t need to stay still while using this abdominal heating belt. You can move freely.
  
  
• It helps to reduce or even replace the need for medication often recommended for menstrual abdominal pain.
  
• This heating belt is equally useful for easing lower back pain. Special mention goes to the pleasant back heating effect! Just flip the belt over and place it on the lower back. It’s simple and quick… yet another advantage compared to a hot water bottle.

Those who try the heating menstrual belt immediately report a comforting effect, a stress-relieving « good hot bath » sensation, in addition to immediate relief. It’s an experience you deserve to treat yourself to (or offer to someone)!

What other menstrual belts don’t have (and what you’ll miss) is…

The (big) plus of the Climsom menstrual belt?

Its provided battery that fits into the designated slot. The solution for moving freely and no longer contorting in pain during menstruation!

The second strong point?

No annoying rigid plastic shell: here, flexibility is key to discreetly conform to the body. We designed it to be portable for relief wherever you are (home, office, outings, transportation…). No unnecessary gadgets (vibrations) or potentially harmful features (waves).

The Climsom menstrual pain relief belt is simple yet elegant with its beautiful seafoam green color (no more bright pink often offered…). Offered by a specialized manufacturer with years of experience in these technologies, you can wear it confidently and safely.

2. Exercise and/or breathing

Release your endorphins with exercise!

Physical activity can naturally alleviate menstrual pain through the release of endorphins and their pain-relieving effects. However, we understand that cycling or swimming during this time might not be appealing… but the idea is actually to practice regularly.

Gentler activities like walking can be a good alternative during menstruation, as well as yoga. By doing this, you not only release endorphins and dopamine, the hormones of well-being, but you also reduce cortisol, the stress hormone.

Stress and menstrual pain: what’s the connection?
Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is typically linked to an excess of prostaglandins. The stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, which are responsible for intense pain during menstruation.

Reduce cortisol levels with heart rate coherence.

Vous don’t feel like moving?
We understand. In that case, breathe! You may have already heard of heart rate coherence.

This breathing technique, when practiced regularly, has the power to reduce cortisol and its harmful effects in our bodies. But it’s important to follow the right rhythm: 6 breaths per minute. There are guided breathing devices available if you’re new to this: sound, light, or vibration cues indicate when to inhale and exhale. Some even have a vibrating function to massage the abdomen during breathing:

Only 5 minutes per session, 3 times a day, to enjoy the numerous benefits, including reduced cortisol levels, a contributing factor to menstrual pain!

3. Diet: What to eat during painful periods?

What’s OK

To combat menstrual pain, there are certain foods with natural anti-inflammatory properties that you should try:

• antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables (blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, beetroot, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, etc.),
• nuts and seeds
• small oily fish such as mackerel, herring or sardines.

What you should forget

On the other hand, the following foods should be avoided if you have painful periods:

• sources of trans fats or hydrogenated fats and refined sugars that produce pro-inflammatory prostaglandins: pizzas, pastries, ready-made meals and other industrial products, etc.
• vegetable oils, with the exception of olive oil and coconut oil,
• dairy products, which increase the body’s production of prostaglandins. Produced in excess, they encourage contraction of the uterine muscle and therefore painful menstrual cramps.
• coffee, which promotes stress and therefore inflammation
• alcohol, which is a source of inflammation.
• tobacco, which reduces the supply of oxygen to tissues and the diameter of blood vessels.

4. Food supplements

Fill up on magnesium

Vitamin B6 and magnesium are essential micronutrients for the metabolism of prostaglandins, due to their anti-inflammatory action.

Role of magnesium in regulating muscle contractions
During menstruation, the uterus produces prostaglandins which help to provoke the contractions needed to expel the uterine mucosa (in the form of bleeding).
Magnesium can help reduce menstrual cramps by reducing the levels of prostaglandins in the uterus, particularly in women with low magnesium levels.

Magnesium promotes muscle relaxation and reduces anxiety and cortisol, the stress hormone (3). It can therefore help to reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhoea by reducing the aggravating factors. Make sure you choose an organic magnesium and vitamin B6 formulation that contains no harmful additives for greater effectiveness.

Melatonin and endometriosis

Another useful supplement is melatonin. This hormone, which is essential for regulating the circadian rhythm, has been the subject of a study into the management of pain in endometriosis. Taking 10mg/day for 8 weeks reduced dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia by 39.8% (95% CI 12.88-43.01%). An 80% reduction in the use of analgesics such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine was also noted during the study period. In the light of these results, melatonin is a treatment option to be considered for endometriosis, but currently has no indication for endometriosis (4).

(1) Ifop survey for iNTIMINA conducted by self-administered online questionnaire from 17 to 28 April 2021 among a sample of 1,010 women, representative of the French female population aged 15 to 49 living in mainland France.
(2) Bertrand Graz, Mona Savoy, Thierry Buclin, Éric Bonvin, 2014. Dysménorrhée : patience, pilules ou bouillotte ?
(3) Parazzini F et al. Magnesium in the gynecological practice: a literature review. Magnes Res. 2017.
(4) HAS. Recommandation de bonne pratique clinique : Prise en charge de l’endométriose. Paris: Collège de la HAS; 2017 déc p. 399.