7 Soothing Drinks to Relieve Period Cramps Naturally

Menstrual pain, aka period cramps, is such a pain that every woman goes through every month. The pain is not the same for everyone; for some, it is normal, while for others, it becomes uncontrollable. But why allow it to reach that extreme stage? Understandably, every woman desires to get period cramp relief without medicine.

In this blog, we will discuss some of the best homemade drinks that can naturally comfort you from period pain. Let’s dive in by first understanding how period cramps work. 

1. Understanding Menstruation and Period Cramps

Menstruation is a natural and highly common process for every young woman. In this natural process, the woman's uterine lining sheds once a month. During this cycle, women feel cramps or extreme pain; hence, this pain is called menstrual cramps.

Now you must be wondering why period cramps happen. 

Period cramps, also called dysmenorrhea, is a gynaecological disorder that occurs in the lower abdomen or pelvis during menstruation and is experienced by 60–70% of young women. The reason why period cramps occur is because of the contractions in the uterus that help the uterine lining shed sufficiently.

Primary dysmenorrhea usually occurs in young women who have never been pregnant, and the pain usually appears on the first day of menstruation and lasts 48-72  hours. 

Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs due to certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids, and the pain can be more severe and last longer than primary dysmenorrhea.

Healthy drinks help in this circumstance as they are the easiest way to deliver nutrients to the body, thus calming down period cramps. 

2. 7 Best Drinks for Period Pain Relief 

If period cramps are taking away your night’s sleep or the pain is becoming unbearable, then consider adding these drinks for period cramp relief. 

Drink	Key Benefit	How It Helps
Ginger Tea	Anti-inflammatory	Blocks prostaglandins and reduces pain & bloating
Celery Juice	Rich in magnesium & vitamins	Eases pain and supports reproductive health
Carrot Juice	High in iron & Vitamin A	Boosts energy and regulates blood flow
Water (Warm)	Hydration	Reduces bloating and improves digestion
Chamomile Tea	Antispasmodic & calming compounds	Relaxes uterus and eases cramps
Peppermint Tea	Contains omega-3 & cooling effect	Reduces pain-triggering prostaglandins
Beetroot Juice	Rich in antioxidants & promotes circulation	Improves blood flow and relieves pelvic pain

2.1. Ginger Water or Tea

Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that block the hormone, prostaglandins, responsible for giving you period pain. It also promotes contractions and controls bloating and swelling in the stomach. Therefore, it mitigates period pain.

Studies show that taking ginger at the start of your period or during the 3 days before it begins can help reduce period pain.

When you mix the ginger in the water and warm it up a little, it becomes one of the best hot drinks that helps with period cramps. You can also consume it as tea.

2.2. Celery Juice

It is a universal fact that, in some way or another, leafy green veggies deliver lots of benefits to the body, thus ensuring one’s health.

The reason celery juice is in the list of best juices for period cramps is because it has various vitamins, viz., A, D, E, K, and B.

What’s more, it has magnesium, which works as an aphrodisiac and greatly assists in alleviating pain during periods. Celery juice also helps remove toxins from the body and supports reproductive health.

2.3. Carrot Juice

During periods, women tend to lose blood, which can lower the iron level as well as cause anaemia. To prevent that, drinking carrot juice is the best choice during menstruation.

Carrot juice is the best juice for menstruation, as it is loaded with iron and provides the necessary energy for going through periods.

Moreover, carrot juice is rich in vitamin A, which can help to regulate blood flow in the course of periods.

Studies show that drinking carrot juice twice a day, with an interval of 2 hours from the first administration, can help relieve period pain.

2.4. Warm Water

Yes, it might not seem to be one of the magical drinks you were expecting, but it’s basic. But, most of the time, we neglect the importance of the basics. Keeping the body hydrated is vital for health, and neglecting this point may trigger some health issues.

If you ever pray for a healthy body, then never forget to take enough water, especially while you are on your period. It is because water holds the power to support and improve the digestive system, as well as avoid bloating, one of the main culprits in giving you period cramps.

Research done to evaluate its effects shows that regular hot water intake during menstruation can give some relief from period pain.

2.5. Chamomile Tea

According to the research, chamomile tea has compounds that might be helpful during period cramps.

Hippurate and Glycine are the compounds in chamomile tea that relieve period cramps and calm the uterus. 

Chamomile tea also possesses anti-spasmodic properties, which help relieve the painful cramps associated with the menstrual periods. Therefore, it is one of the best drinks that help with period cramps.

2.6. Peppermint Tea

To ease period cramps and settle digestive problems, sipping sips of peppermint tea is a way to go.

It has omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the chemicals (prostaglandins) that trigger pain and cramps during periods. By lowering these pain-causing chemicals, peppermint tea can ease menstrual discomfort and reduce cramps.

Moreover, peppermint tea has an amazing and minty taste (thanks to peppermint leaves), which makes it one of the perfect drinks that help with period cramps.

2.7. Beetroot Juice

Healthy juices are the easiest way of injecting nutrients into the body faster. Beetroot juice boasts a variety of nutrients, including beta-carotene and antioxidants.

All of these nutrients in beetroot juice are highly useful during menstruation. This juice promotes blood flow and lessens the pain associated with periods.

What’s more, it also promotes blood circulation, which, in turn, greatly helps during periods.

Research done to analyse its effects shows that among adolescent girls concluded that beet juice reduced adverse effects commonly felt in the pelvic and lower abdomen at the beginning of menstruation.

3. Drinks To Avoid During Menstruation

Let’s move to the other side of the coin and look at the drinks to avoid during menstruation.

3.1. Alcohol

If you are an alcoholic, then you must put an end to your fun until your menstruation runs out, as alcohol can increase testosterone and estrogen in the body, which can give you mood swings and aggravate your pain. 

3.2. Caffeine

Avoid caffeine or coffee at any cost if you are menstruating, as caffeine may promote anxiety and stress. Furthermore, it can directly influence blood sugar levels, which is again not good during menstruation.

3.3. Milk

You might be wondering, "What’s bad with milk?" Well, milk is the source of saturated fat that can potentially augment inflammation and irritation, thus worsening menstrual cramps. 

Additionally, dairy products like milk contain prostaglandin, which is bad for period cramps.

3.4. Sugary Drinks

In the condition of period cramps, sugary drinks are your no.1 enemy, as they can increase energy levels in the body quickly, and decrease them quickly as well, which leaves you more fatigued and sluggish. Consequently, these drinks can create issues during period cramps.

4. What Helps With Period Cramps Other Than Drinks

Other than consuming these period drinks, you can also use other natural remedies for greater relief. Let’s discuss what the home remedies are that can give you period cramp relief. 

4.1. Do Period Cramps Exercise

We know that physical activities are quite hard as periods have already destroyed your mood, but practising some exercises such as Cobra, Cat, Cow and Fish yoga poses helps reduce period pain and gives you the desired comfort. 

4.2. Apply heat 

The application of heat, such as heat pads or a hot water bottle, can give a big hand during menstrual flare-ups. It can calm the abdominal muscles and enhance blood circulation, therefore providing relief from period cramps.

4.3. Get Quality Sleep

Sleep deprivation can make you more sensitive to pain, thus worsening the menstrual cramps. Without quality sleep, it is impossible to feel good throughout the day. Thus, it’s important to get restful sleep of 7-8 hours during periods and otherwise too. 

4.4. Add these foods to your diet. 

Adding some foods such as lemons, oranges, watermelon and Green cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, to your diet can keep you healthier inside and decrease the risk of period cramps. 

4.5. Ayurvedic medicines

Not to mention, herbal treatment can also be immensely beneficial during period cramps. Ayurvedic treatment of Ayush for Women is proven to be super-effective in escalating a woman’s health.

This treatment not only gives relief from period cramps but also enhances women’s overall health, like fighting PCOS and PCOD, maintaining hygiene, increasing fertility and balancing hormones.

5. Summary 

Period cramps are commonly experienced by young women during their periods. It is also recognised as Dysmenorrhea, a condition where women experience painful periods. It occurs due to various reasons, such as dehydration, hormonal imbalance, high Prostaglandin, stress or due to an underlying medical condition.

However, you can get relief from it naturally through drinks and some lifestyle modifications. A combination of juices such as Beetroot, carrot and Celery and tea such as Peppermint Tea, Chamomile tea are beneficial drinks that help with period cramps. Add these drinks along with some period pain exercises and a good diet to experience faster relief.

FAQs

Q1. What to drink in periods for good flow?

Drinking juices, herbal tea and warm water can help ease your period cramps. Juices such as celery juice, carrot juice, and peppermint tea can help reduce pain both before and after the period due to their nutrient content.

Q2. Which is the best tea for period cramps?

Drinking tea with thyme leaves is believed to help with cramps. Consuming Herbal tea, such as Chamomile Tea, Ginger tea, and Peppermint Tea, is considered to be beneficial due to their anti-inflammatory property. It also reduces the hormone effect of prostaglandins that trigger period pain.

Q3. Should we drink hot water during periods?

Yes, drinking hot water during periods can ease the abdominal muscles and increase blood flow. You can also consume some warm beverages alongside water.

Q4. What to eat in periods to reduce pain?

Foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and fibre can be beneficial to eat during periods. Consider adding fish, fruits, and vegetables such as broccoli to reduce the intensity of menstrual pain.

Q5. How to stop period pain immediately at home?

First of all, don’t panic, as it is normal for girls on their period to experience it. Just be calm and ensure you stay hydrated. Get enough fluid content through juices and herbal teas considered to be effective during cramps. Get restful sleep and practice some period cramps exercises for better relief.