Do you cramp during your period? This super common symptom can also be a debilitating one, and importantly there's some things that can be done to either minimise or even eliminate your symptoms.
There are many reasons as to why you are experiencing cramping before and/ or during your period. Here are some of the most common, along with other signs and symptoms that I often see in conjunction with them.
Poor Circulation; These types of cramps often feel dull and achy. Signs of poor circulation can include; fluid retention, oedema, cold hands and feet, blood clots and headaches, these are also signs of poor circulation.
Nutritional Deficiency: usually magnesium. Other common signs of magnesium deficiency include chocolate cravings, headaches, muscle twitches, eye twitches, worry, anxiety, stress, poor sleep to name a few.
Inflammation: Inflammation can create pain in the body. It's a sign that your body is trying to heal, often from a food intolerance, disease state, or allergy.
Other signs you have inflammation are: poor gut health, headaches, aches and pains in your joints, fluid retention, poor energy function, depression and anxiety.
When looking to treat menstrual and pre menstrual cramps, it's important to get super specific to acheive the desired result. As you can probably tell from rading the above symptoms, they are wide and varied and could be due to a many number of imbalances in the body.
In order to get to the root cause of what's going on for you, I recommend getting in touch for an assessment and consultation here. From there we can develop a personalised treatment plan for you.
In the meantime, here are some nutrients and foods to focus on including into your diet. It's important to note with this type of work and re balancing hormones that it can take up to 3 cycles to reap the benefits, and it's just as important what your don't put into your body as what you do :)
Essential Fatty Acids:
EFA's are excellent at reduce inflammation in the body. Sources include nuts, seeds, avocado, olive and coconut oil, WILD caught fish, and grass fed organic meats.
Ginger
Ginger works as an anti-spasmotic and supports blood circulation (and thus nutrient circulation) heating up the body and reducing the dull and achy cramps. Have freshly cut into hot water with some lemon, in curries, cups or tea or freshly grated on salads.
Magnesium
Magnesium supports muscle and nervous symptom relaxation, easing those cramps that are spasmotic in nature. Sources included; Raw Cacao/ Chocolate, Dark green leafy's, mineral water, nuts and seeds.
Give the above a go, and know that really bad pre menstrual and menstrual pain don't have to be the norm!
Happy Day!
Jenna Poole
Clinical Nutritionist
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