Pain During Periods: Causes and Treatments
Do you also go through those intense cramps that make it impossible for you to even get out of bed during the monthly cycle?
Well, don’t worry – you’re not alone and you don’t have to suffer anymore. Now it’s our turn to take care of you. It’s time to say GOODBYE to cramps and HELLO to pain free, healthy periods with the right ayurvedic approach.
Nearly 80% of women experience menstrual pain at some point in their lives, yet most accept it as something “normal” or “just part of being a woman.” Most female patients visit clinics only when the pain becomes unbearable and one such patient was Kamaljeet Kaur (name changed for privacy) who came to us looking for help.
Kamaljeet Kaur was a 23-year-old college student. Every month during her periods, she faced Severe pain like Backache and leg cramps, stomachache , mood swings, clots and heavy bleeding. Her periods affected her daily life routine. She told me during the first consultation:
“Doctor, I have stopped planning anything during my periods. Those 4–5 days, I just lie in bed with painkillers. I don’t think anything can fix this.”
It is not only Kamaljeet Kaur’s problem. Painkillers gave relief but only for a few hours. The pain recurs after a few hours, sometimes even worse. And that is exactly, I suggest to most of my teenage girl patients that Painkillers manage the pain, but Ayurveda manages the cause.
INTRODUCTION: Why Do Periods Hurt?
Menstrual cramps arise when the uterus contract sheds its lining, the contraction caused by hormones are medically known as prostaglandins. The higher their levels, the more intense the pain that would lead to discomfort, aches that can affect the back and thighs.
In Ayurveda, menstrual pain is called Kashta Artava. This condition occurs when your vata dosha is disturbed which controls the movement in the body and flow of the menstrual cycle. If Vata gets high it results in symptoms like dryness, tightness, and discomfort in the lower stomach and back.
According to Ayurveda, the menstruation cycle is a natural body cleansing process. However, this process gets disturbed when one has bad eating habits and poor lifestyle which will eventually cause pain and discomfort.
HIDDEN FACT: When digestion (Agni) is slow, undigested food forms Ama, (toxins). These harmful substances travel through the blood and sticks in the uterus making the menstrual flow thick and painful. This is the main reason most of the women feel bloated, heaviness, or acne issues during their periods, this is all connected to AMA. Low gut health = high period pain
Cramps and discomfort isn’t a form of punishment but it simply shows signals that your body needs more attention and care and lifestyle changes.
What Causes This Imbalance?
Most of my patients don’t understand that period pain is not normal, it is deeply connected to one’s lifestyle and digestion and it needs to be treated asap. As per both modern and ayurvedic science there are multiple factors that causes imbalance:
Hormonal fluctuation:
- Imbalance in hormonal levels
- Increased prostaglandins
- This makes the uterus contract more, which causes strong cramps.
Vata Aggravation:
- More consumption of cold and junk food
- Disturbed and irregular eating patterns,
- And staying awake late at night increases Vata energy.
Poor Lifestyle Habits:
- High levels of stress & overthinking
- Less sleep,
- Irregular eating habits ,
- Too much caffeine intake can have an effect on hormonal equilibrium and digestive well being.
Underlying Conditions:
Problems related to periods or menstrual blood occur in women like PCOD/PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids that can be treated through Ayurveda.
How can Ayurveda Help in Period Pain Relief?
Ayurveda doesn’t just stop the pain for a few hours – it’s a natural treatment that cures the cause from its roots. It’s not like one of the contraseptic pain reliever medicines that numbs the pain for sometime and will cause the problem later in your life. Ayurveda is the permanent solution for period pain relief:
Balancing Vata Dosha:
The first and foremost step is to cleanse your disturbed vata energy through good healthy food, oil massages and essential herbs.
Some Key Herbs are:
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) – This herb boosts strength and overall health and also nourishes female reproductive organs.
- Ashoka (Saraca indica) – It initiates a good healthy menstrual cycle without pain and calms the muscles of the uterus.
- Hing (Asafoetida) – it is known for its natural properties that relaxes muscles and helps reduce cramps and bloating.
- Ginger & Turmeric — its natural ability to calm uterine muscles and also reduces inflammation and pain.
Panchakarma therapies:
These Panchakarma treatments are for the women who are suffering from severe pain. These therapies will target the root cause rather than just giving temporary relief.
Abhyanga (Oil Massage):
- Enhances/improves blood circulation
- Balanced vata dosha
- and relaxes the muscles.
Swedana (Herbal Steam Therapy):
- Opens the body’s channels
- Reduces stiffness
- And provides relief from menstrual pain.
Basti (Medicated Enema):
- Most effective therapies for Vata disorders
- Detoxifies and nourishes the reproductive organs
- Reduce cramping and irregular cycles.
Lifestyle & Dietary Recommendations:
Your daily habits have a direct affect on your menstrual well-being. Ayurveda emphasises gentle and nurturing habits especially during menstruation.
Diet Tips–
- Eat warm and freshly cooked meals like khichdi and soups
- Ignore cold and oily foods
- Drink more herbal teas
- Eat jaggery after meals to boost iron which naturally reduces cramps and purifies blood
Lifestyle Tips–
- Proper 7-8 hours of peaceful sleep
- Avoid heavyweight exercising
- Avoid fasting during your periods
- Practice gentle yoga postures
- Do oil massages to calm your body that ease tension and pain
Simple Home Remedies for Menstrual Discomfort
You don’t always have to rely on strong medicines, consistency in home remedies can give you powerful results like:
- Consume Ginger-Fennel tea to relax your abdomen
- Warm compression (Heat Therapy) Placing a heating pad on your lower abdomen will give you relief from pain
- Turmeric Milk (natural anti-inflammatory drink)
- Sesame Oil Massage (rich in calcium and zinc).
When to Consult an Ayurvedic Doctor
If you’re experiencing unbearable pain for more than 2-3 days or any of these symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, lower abdominal pain and back pain – don’t ignore it, it’s time to pamper your body. So it’s advisable to consult an ayurvedic specialist nearest to you.
Conclusion:
Ayurveda teaches you that your body has the ability to recover on its own. Instead of offering temporary relief, it brings long lasting relief by balancing these all together – physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The First Step Toward a Pain-Free Cycle
At 𝗗𝗥. 𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗔𝗬𝗨𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗗𝗔 & 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗔 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟, 𝗔𝗠𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗦𝗔𝗥, we focus on:
- Treats the root cause of problem
- Balancing hormonal levels naturally
- Improves digestion and circulation
- Nourishing the reproductive organs without any side effects
Ayurveda doesn’t just reduce pain — it restores your overall health, energy and emotions. If you relate to these symptoms mentioned above, then it’s the right time to seek guidance.
Book a consultation or visit to our hospital to understand which therapy suits your body best.