Yoga For Menstrual Cramps

Waking up in the morning with the most horrible pain from menstrual cramp is unimaginable. It is every woman’s monthly nightmare.

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Menstruation affects ones energy, mood and stamina. While there are other alternatives to relieve period cramps, like pills, there are more natural ways to ease the hellish pain. One way is to avoid fats and oils that have been chemically altered fats. Choose foods with fats that absorb fat soluble vitamins in the body such as vitamins A, D, E and K. Foods that absorb fat soluble vitamins are coconut oil, ghee, flax seed oil and others.

Others turn to more alternative ways, like yoga.

Causes Of PMS Or Menstrual Cramps

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Changes in hormones or hormonal imbalance can cause pain during monthly periods. Here are some causes of menstrual cramps:

1. Excessive Estrogen

Excessive Estrogen can cause unpleasant and painful periods. It can be due to stress in the body.

2. Thyroid Hormones

This is required for many functions in the body. This deactivates excessive estrogen hormone and speeds up metabolism.

3. Stress

Being stressed has negative effects in the body. It releases cortisol hormone which is produced by our adrenal glands. Increased cortisol hormone in the body can lower progesterone and thyroid hormones. Both are required to balance estrogen.

The pain women feels may differ. Others with hormonal imbalances can feel more pain. It is caused by improper dietary habits, emotional stress or even chemicals in foods.

Different Levels Of Pain For Different Women

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The pain levels for each woman is different. For others, there is no menstrual cramping. But for others, they may that mild symptoms, while some experience serious menstrual pains that they have to spend a day or two at home or in bed.

Others turn to prescription drugs, some eat healthy, others do exercise or yoga to ease the pain. Yoga teaches one to listen to the body and use the skills they have learned and decide whether to practice or not.

Yoga Poses For When You Have It

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Of course, one cannot do extreme or complex yoga poses during menstruation. But there are poses that can help relieve pain or discomfort.

Here are five poses that could really help:

1. Child’s Pose

This is the go-to resting pose. This soothes back aches while also quieting the mind.

2. Forward Fold

It lengthens the spine and stretches the hips. This pose helps ease the pain that radiates down the legs and around the back by stretching the hamstrings, calves and back.

3. Knee-to-Chest Pose

It relaxes the lower back and abdominal muscles, relieves tension and reduces pain. It increases circulation to the abdomen, aids internal organs, softens the mind and reduces anxiety.

4. Supine Twists

This is believed to stimulate, detox and refresh the inner organs. It helps ease the nerves during menstruation and abdominal pains.

5. Cat-Cow Pose

This pose will warm up the body and relieve menstrual cramps. It helps with coordination and emotional balance that may be altered by menstrual cycle.

There are other yoga poses that can help ease or relieve the pain women suffers during menstruation. If possible or if one can manage the pain, instead of popping a pill or prescription drugs, why not eat healthy foods and try some yoga poses?