We know how it goes, you have just had the best day with all your buddies, enjoying the latest rom-com movie, checking out all the new styles and fashions on show, maybe even sneaking a peek at some cute guys and then that familiar painful throb starts to emanate from your tummy. You think to yourself ‘it’s that time of the month again’ and sigh, cos you know you are in for at least a few days of seriously un-cool period cramps (also known as Menstrual Cramps or Dysmenorrhea) that are gonna mess with your schedule. About half the women in the entire world will suffer from period cramps at some point so you are not alone in having this problem. Lots of girls quickly master using tampons and pads to deal with their period but are still irritated by the cramps they get. However, do you know what causes these cramps? And did you know that there are some super simple ways to make your period cramps less painful? Well, you will in a couple minutes, thanks to your personal period cramps advisor U by Kotex®.
What causes period cramps
Girls all over Australia get period cramps during the first few days of their period. The cramps are normally caused by a hormone called Prostaglandins, which actually helps your period to happen. The hormone causes your tummy (your Uterus if we are getting technical) to contract so that it’s easier for the extra fluffy lining that your uterus has built up (in preparation for a possible pregnancy that didn’t happen this month) and egg to exit your body in the form of your period. One thing you should understand is that period cramps are a different kind of cramps/pain than you would get from PMS. PMS affects girls a little bit before their period starts and gets better when they actually have their period, while period cramps usually start as soon as girls get their period.
Period cramps normally start right before you get your period and are at their worst about a day after you first start feeling sore. You might get cramps more than your mum or older sister as they tend to affect younger women and girls more and get less painful with age. You may also notice some pain in your lower back and thighs, and unfortunately the same hormone that causes period cramps can also cause you to feel nauseous, dizzy and bloated. Period cramps can be genetic (like your eye colour or long fingers) so ask your mum if she suffered from cramps when she was younger, you never know, she might have a home remedy you can try.
The advice provided in this material is general in nature and is not intended as medical advice. If you need medical advice, please consult your health care professional.
