Did you know that drinking water can reduce period cramps?

Be it your physician or a member of the family, you have to have heard folks telling you to drink at the least 8 glasses of water on a regular basis. It’s possible you’ll not at all times pay heed to them however do you know that consuming water may also help you throughout your intervals as effectively? Sure, for those who really feel immense ache throughout this time, begin consuming extra water. Staying hydrated is vital on your general well being significantly your menstrual well being. It could possibly assist to scale back the ache that happens within the decrease stomach whereas menstruating. A couple of glasses of water can calm down the uterine muscle groups, which may also help to scale back the depth of cramps. Consuming water to scale back interval cramps can work however you have to know precisely how a lot to drink.

What are interval cramps?

Interval cramps, often known as dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps, are the ache that many ladies really feel of their decrease stomach throughout menstruation. “These cramps occur when the uterus contracts to shed its lining, a pure course of triggered by prostaglandins which can be hormone-like substances,” says gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Pratibha Singhal.

It’s fairly widespread in ladies who’re within the reproductive stage. Throughout a 2023 examine, printed in Healthcare, 321 ladies have been analysed. Out of those, 76.19 % skilled ache throughout interval. The cramps typically begin 1 to 2 days earlier than the interval and have a tendency to final just a few days into the menstrual cycle.

Does consuming water cut back interval cramps?

“Sure, consuming water may also help cut back interval cramps by taking good care of among the components that worsen menstrual ache,” says the professional. There’s additionally proof that reveals there’s a optimistic connection between consuming water and ache discount whereas menstruating. A 2021 examine, printed in BMC Ladies’s Well being, confirmed that consuming water throughout menstruation was related to discount in ache and discomfort. Right here’s how consuming can cut back interval cramps:

• Prevents dehydration-related muscle cramps: Dehydration may cause muscle groups, together with the uterine muscle groups, to cramp extra intensely. “Consuming water helps muscle groups calm down and reduces the severity of contractions throughout menstruation,” says Dr Singhal.
• Reduces bloating and water retention: Staying hydrated by consuming sufficient water helps forestall water retention and bloating. They must be tackled as they will enhance the strain and discomfort during times.
• Improves blood stream: Correct hydration ensures good circulation, which may also help calm down the uterine muscle groups and cut back ache brought on by restricted blood stream.
• Flushes out toxins: Staying hydrated helps to flush out toxins and cut back irritation within the physique, which can contribute to decreasing interval cramp severity.

Hydration tricks to cut back interval cramps

• Know the amount: Attempt to drink at the least 8 to 10 glasses of water day by day throughout your interval to assist to scale back interval cramps. “This quantity can range based mostly on components similar to dimension of the physique, exercise stage, and local weather,” says the professional. As an example, for those who recurrently exercise, you will have extra water.
• Unfold it out: Drink water regularly all through the day as a substitute of consuming giant quantities unexpectedly.
• Select sizzling water: Consuming room temperature water may also help to scale back interval cramps however sizzling water could turn into extra useful. Throughout a 2021 examine, printed within the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis Worldwide, feminine members skilled higher outcomes after recurrently consuming sizzling water throughout menstruation. Researchers discovered that the members obtained reduction from menstrual cramps by consuming sizzling water. “The heat of the water promotes muscle leisure, together with the uterine muscle groups, which reduces the depth of those cramps,” says the professional.

Can consuming an excessive amount of water throughout menstruation have a destructive impact?

Sure, consuming an excessive amount of water to scale back interval cramps can have destructive results, although that is unusual for most individuals. “Overhydration or water intoxication or hyponatremia happens when there’s a stability downside between water and sodium ranges within the physique,” says the professional.

Listed here are among the destructive results of consuming an excessive amount of water:

• Dilution of sodium ranges (Hyponatremia): Extra water dilutes sodium within the bloodstream, resulting in low sodium ranges. Signs embody nausea, complications, confusion, and fatigue.
• Elevated pressure on kidneys: Overhydration forces the kidneys to work very arduous to eliminate extra water, doubtlessly inflicting kidney pressure over time.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Extreme water can disturb the stability of important electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, that are essential for muscle and nerve perform.

Different drinks to scale back interval cramps

Aside from water, you may keep hydrated by consuming wholesome drinks to scale back interval cramps.

1. Ginger tea

“Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and may cut back the manufacturing of prostaglandins, which trigger uterine contractions and ache,” says Dr Singhal. Throughout a 2022 examine, printed in Medical Epidemiology and International Well being, researchers discovered that utilizing ginger as much as two grams per day is protected for coping with interval ache. To make this tea, steep contemporary ginger slices in sizzling water for five to 10 minutes and add honey or lemon for flavour.

2. Chamomile tea

“Chamomile is a pure relaxant that soothes muscle groups and reduces stress, which may also help ease menstrual cramps,” says the professional. To arrange it to scale back interval cramps, brew chamomile tea baggage or dried flowers in sizzling water for five minutes then drink it up.

3. Peppermint tea

Peppermint relaxes the uterine muscle groups and may cut back ache and bloating. A 2016 examine, printed within the Iranian Journal Of Nursing And Midwifery Analysis, confirmed that peppermint can cut back the severity of menstrual cramps. Questioning easy methods to make it to scale back interval cramps with this tea? Steep contemporary peppermint leaves or tea baggage in sizzling water for five to 7 minutes, and your tea might be prepared.

4. Heat lemon water

“Lemon is excessive in vitamin C, which may cut back bloating in addition to help digestion,” says the professional. The heat of lemon water provides to muscle leisure, making it an excellent drink to scale back interval cramps. Squeeze contemporary lemon juice into heat water and for those who want to, sweeten it with a little bit of honey.

5. Cinnamon tea

Cinnamon is understood to scale back irritation and calm down muscle groups, making it efficient towards interval ache. Throughout a 2018 examine, printed in Complementary Therapies In Medical Observe, it was discovered to be efficient in decreasing the depth of interval ache. Steep a cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon of floor cinnamon in sizzling water for five minutes then drink it.

6. Fenugreek water

“Fenugreek seeds advantages embody their skill to cut back menstrual discomfort and bloating,” says the professional. Soak 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water in a single day, then pressure and drink it within the morning.

You need to use a heating pad to scale back interval cramps and even drink water. Staying hydrated is an effective way to get reduction from the ache that you could be expertise each month. If interval ache will get extreme or lasts quite a lot of days, seek the advice of a health care provider.