Heat Or Ice For Menstrual Cramps
A heat pack will do much more to help with the aches and pains of your period.
Heat or ice for menstrual cramps. According to yvonne bohn md ob gyn at providence saint john s health center in santa monica california there s no definitive support for using heat on menstrual cramps but she does recommend it. The continuous application of heat may work as well as ibuprofen for the relief of dysmenorrhea pain. Soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad on your lower abdomen may ease menstrual cramps. Severe menstrual cramps can affect your daily life.
We ll break down how to tell the difference between typical and severe cramps go over what can cause severe cramps and offer tips for relief. Reach for heat easy at home treatment. For menstrual cramps we typically recommend heat either from a bath or heating pad to the pelvic area for. Soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad hot water bottle or heat patch on your lower abdomen might ease menstrual cramps.
You can find these items in the drugstore or online. Applying a heating pad heat wrap or hot water bottle to your abdomen works wonders for relieving menstrual cramps. Menstrual cramps happen when the muscles of your uterus contract which typically happens just before or during your period pari ghodsi m d a board certified ob gyn tells self. Heat and cold therapy both are useful in different types of injuries including muscle cramps.
Heat is to be applied in chronic cases of cramps while ice is to be applied within 48 hours of the cramping injury. A number of studies have indicated that vitamin e omega 3 fatty acids vitamin b 1 thiamin vitamin b 6 and magnesium supplements might reduce menstrual cramps. The thought is that menstrual cramps are caused by prolonged and painful contraction of the uterus. Heat cramps can occur during exercise or work in a hot environment or begin a few hours.
Heat or cold therapy. If a build up of blood in your pelvis is causing your cramps use an icepack to help draw the blood out of the pelvis and toward the. Heat helps muscles relax. The heat acts.
March 26 2001 women have often turned to the soothing warmth from a heating pad to help ease the pain of menstrual cramps doctors however say they are still trying to determine if the.