Normal cramps and safer alternative remedies

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Krill oil capsules

I recently read this article on Yahoo Shine which talked about determining if your menstrual cramps were "normal".
While a majority of women report to have very painful cramps, few are actually diagnosed with one of worse conditions like fibroids or endometriosis.
For women whose symptoms can include being bedridden for days, unable to work or stand, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and even fainting in some cases, it's disconcerting to be told that those cramps are just "normal".
Perhaps you haven't tried alternative remedies because you may feel they are not aggressive enough at curbing your pain.  Or perhaps it's just lack of education about these remedies.  After all, most people are too busy to do their own research and it's always just easier to go to your doctor and have them give you a prescription for stronger pain medication or birth control.
While each person has the will to do what they choose with their body, I would encourage anyone to consider as a first course of action natural alternatives or be open to trying a combination of alternative remedies with modern ones.
They are usually safer and do less damage than medication and alternative medicine revolves more around prevention and fixing the problem from the inside out.  So here are some alternative remedies you can discuss with your doctor.

First always remember that exercise can help prevent many maladies.
When you are starting your period, your uterine wall tends to swell a bit and compete for space with your intestines.  This usually causes constipation or alternately diarrhea or loose stool with some women.  But regular walking and other aerobic activity helps exercise those bowels and keep things moving.
Also some sort of core strengthening program like Pilates helps the muscles of the wall of your abdomen strengthen up; the stronger your core is the more it acts like a built in girdle to prevent bloating and swelling.

Heating pads also work for cramps but another topical remedy that can produce results is essential oils applied directly to the abdomen.
Clary sage helps to cool inflammations and has been used for centuries in treating menstrual cramps; it can work best if applied a few days before and during the menstrual cycle.
Peppermint oil applied directly to the abdomen also cools inflammation, helps inhibit or relax muscle spasms and can help alleviate headaches and nausea.
As with any essential oils, take care to dilute any pure oil before applying it to skin and avoid putting it around or near your eyes.  Also take care not to touch your eyes or any sensitive skin after smoothing on the oil; wash your hands very well.

Ginger tea also helps reduce cramps.  It helps to soothe nausea and like the essential oils mentioned, helps reduce inflammation.

Krill oil capsules is a relatively new discovery, at least to me.
As little as 3 mg a day 10 days prior to the first day of your period can reduce the painful physical and emotional symptoms of your period.  That means it not only helps reduce breast tenderness and reduce the muscle spasms that give you cramps, it also helps you maintain emotional balance and avoid having the really low lows that some women tend to experience.
Krill oil capsules come in a bottle of 60 for about $28 and at 50 mg per capsule you have to take about 6 capsules so one bottle is about 10 days worth.  This preventative remedy might be a little costly for some but if you decide an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  And I can speak for myself and say that this works and in my case is worth it.
Krill oil capsules are relatively easy to swallow and are pictured above.  For more info click on the source link.

Another alternative remedy (also mentioned in the article) is taking anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, from 1 to 3 days prior to and during your period.  While some doctors will recommend taking them as soon as you feel the first twinge, others recommend the preventative method of taking them a few days before in order to prevent any pain at all.
The idea is that these anti-inflammatory drugs target and slow down the production of natural hormones that make your uterus contract.  If taken a few days prior, you will most likely not need anything stronger than the over-the-counter varieties.

You may find in your case, discussing with your doctor your specific symptoms and preferences, a combination of treatments can help ease your pain.  Hopefully these alternative remedies have given you safer alternatives to consider with your doctor.