Home Remedy: Menstrual Cramps

Many women suffer from pain in their abdomen, thighs and lower back during their menstrual cycle.

When you are menstruating the muscles in your womb are contracting to expel lining that has built-up that month.

A women's menstrual cycle has four phases:

• menstrual phase - When you first get your period. This phase starts when an egg from the previous month haven't been fertilized. On average, this phase lasts about 3 to 7 days.

• follicular phase - This phase is when your ovaries are stimulated to produce 5 to 20 small sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an egg. Only the strong will survive. On average, only two eggs will mature. The rest of the eggs are absorbed into your body. This phase lasts about 16 days.

• ovulation phase - This is the phase when you ovaries releases a mature egg to be fertilized by a sperm. Ovulation happens around day 14. If the egg isn't fertilized in 24 hours, it will dissolve or die.

• luteal phase - If you don't get pregnant, you will start to experience PMS (premenstrual syndrome). This phase lasts about 11-17 days.

Here are four home remedies for menstrual cramps:

1. Chamomile Tea - Chamomile contains chamazulene which has antispasmodic properties. Studies have shown that high levels of glycine was found in their urine of those who drank chamomile tea. Glycine is a nerve relaxant and is known to relieve muscle spasms.

2. Fennel Seeds - Soak some fennel seeds in a glass of water overnight and drink it in the morning. Fennel seeds reduces pain, regulates bleeding and helps the uterus to contract.

3. Heat - A warm bath or a heating pad can help relax contracting uterine muscles.

4. Vitamin D - A study have shown that women who took high doses of Vitamin D five days before their menstrual cycle, experienced less pain. The recommended daily source of Vitamin D according to the National Institute of Health is 600 IU.

Disclaimer: Always consult your physician

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