Oh hey.
Guess who’s back?
Your period.
Is it really already that time of the month again?!
The cramps, back ache, pelvic pain – you name it.
I have never really been one to take medication, so I haven’t gone that route. Although I have had cramping since the first time I ever got my period, it got way worse later in my life. After I had my son, now 7, I had the worst cramps ever that felt like literal contractions all over again. Cramping has been normalized my entire life, so I thought nothing of it. I’ve heard your cramps can go one of 2 ways after having your first baby: it will either get better or worse. I guess I wasn’t so lucky.
I try to take the unconventional route, trying out natural remedies before anything else.
It wasn’t until I had my daughter, now 3, that I really started looking into a more holistic way of treating symptoms that showed up in my body.
Magnesium – my biggest recommendation for alleviating your cramps.
As soon as I feel the cramps coming on, I take this magnesium. There are different types of magnesium, but this specific one, MagBicarb, seriously helps. It is super affordable compared to a different one that I used to purchase. You do have to mix it into cold, carbonated water, but it is super easy to do. The seller also has a video on how to prepare the magnesium on their site.
Another thing I will do is spray this topical magnesium right on my belly where I feel the cramping. I am telling you, it works every time. You will feel it working within 5-10 minutes. I also like to spray this on my belly before bed at night for the first 2 days of my period, when my cramps are the worst.
I also realized that bananas help alleviate some of my pain. How bizarre, I know. I’m not sure if it’s the potassium in them or what, but seriously it works. On the onset of cramps, my routine is: drink 2-4 oz magnesium, spray topical magnesium, drink half a glass of water, eat a banana and go walk in my yard or outside, in the sunshine.
This is what works for me, and I am hopeful it will work for you too.
In addition to this quick fix, here’s what you can do in your every day life to help alleviate some symptoms.
Eat a carrot a day. Whaaaat? Yeah, I heard about this and decided to give it a shot. This, along with eating healthy, whole foods (anything that is not bagged and does not have a label) really helps with the pms symptoms and cramping. Some people say to eat it with apple cider vinegar, but I don’t and it seems to still have the same effect. From what I read, the fibers in the carrots help remove the excess estrogen from your body via your digestive system.
By incorporating these unique techniques, you can take control of your PMS symptoms and find relief without the need for medication. Give these methods a try and see the difference for yourself!
***I do want to state, I am not a provider. I am a regular girl, with a problem many women have, and I am simply sharing solutions that have worked for me in hopes of helping you out.