What should I do if my stomach hurts when I’m on my period?

Stomach pain during menstruation can be relieved by applying hot compresses to the abdomen, moderate exercise, diet, medication, and traditional Chinese medicine.

1. Apply heat to the abdomen

Use a hot water bottle or baby warmer to compress the lower abdomen, and control the temperature at 40-50 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes each time. Hot compress can promote pelvic blood circulation, relieve uterine smooth muscle spasm, and has a significant effect on primary dysmenorrhea. Be careful to avoid scalding the skin, and diabetics need to carefully control the temperature.

2. Moderate exercise

Mild exercise such as walking and yoga during menstruation can help promote endorphin secretion and reduce pain. It is recommended to choose soothing stretches and avoid strenuous exercise and water exercise. The duration of exercise should be controlled within 30 minutes, so as not to feel fatigued.

3. Diet conditioning

Eat more warm foods such as brown sugar ginger tea, longan and red date soup, and avoid cold and spicy foods. Increase your intake of salmon and flax seeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as nuts and dark green vegetables, which are rich in magnesium. Drink warm water in small amounts and multiple times a day, and maintain a daily water intake of about 2000ml.

4. Drug treatment

When the pain is severe, you can use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules and naproxen tablets, or antispasmodic drugs such as phloroglucinol injection as directed by your doctor. For secondary dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis, it may be necessary to use short-acting contraceptive pills such as drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets to regulate the cycle.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine Conditioning

You can use moxibustion on acupuncture points such as Guanyuan and Qihai, or take proprietary Chinese medicines such as Shaofu Zhuyu Granules and Yuanhu Zhitong Tablets. Chinese medicine believes that dysmenorrhea is often related to poor circulation of Qi and blood. It is recommended to start conditioning one week before menstruation and avoid acupuncture treatment during menstruation. Physical conditioning needs to last for more than 3 menstrual cycles.

During menstruation, you should keep your abdomen warm to avoid fatigue and mood swings. Maintain a regular schedule and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Record the menstrual cycle and pain. If the pain seriously affects your life or is accompanied by symptoms such as abnormal bleeding and fever, you should seek medical examination in time to rule out endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and other organic diseases. You can enhance your physical fitness through aerobic exercise, reduce caffeine intake, and maintain a healthy weight to help prevent dysmenorrhea.