Cruel Cramps? Help is Here

Here at LSW we talk a lot about our menstrual cycles—about how special, beautiful, and under appreciated they are. And then someone asks us about cramps. How can cramps be beautiful? Well, there’s no two ways about it—cramps hurt! Pain levels can range from uncomfortable to unbearable. For 10% to 15% of women, cramps are incapacitating—interfering with the normal routines of life.

So here’s the beautiful part—cramps aren’t normal, and they aren’t necessary. Most of us have been taught that they are part of the “curse,” something we’ve just got to live with. Not true! The level of pain many of us experience is due almost exclusively to the stress of modern life. Back before humans overburdened their livers with poor diet, high stress, and toxic living environments, severe cramps were unusual.

Today our overly toxic livers can’t keep our hormones in balance, resulting in a cascade of prostaglandins that makes our uteruses contract painfully. Stress is also a big factor. Muscle tension, emotional upset, and unrelieved, low-level panic are set-ups for a painful period.

The good news is that it is possible to bring your body back into balance. Reducing dairy, sugar, refined carbohydrates, and animal protein is a great start. We also recommend plenty of sleep, meditation or yoga, and that long overdue vacation. Remember that you are human, not a machine. Nourish yourself. Be loving with yourself. Over a few cycles the pain will reduce, and possibly disappear completely.

Cramp-relieving remedies that every girl should have on hand include:

* clary sage essential oil

* arnica cream or gel

*  essential fatty acids – flax seed, evening primrose, or fish oil

* black cohosh (cramp bark) herbal remedy

* hot water bottle with optional castor oil pack

* leafy greens

* organic very dark chocolate

LSW is committed to helping you understand the amazing natural healing options that are available to you, so that you can make knowledgeable, powerful choices about how to care for your body and your menstrual and sexual health.