HOW TO DEAL WITH MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

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Exercise Medical studies agree that as a woman's physical condition improves, her cramps tend to lessen in severil so going to bed when discomfort hits is actually one of the worst things you can do! Any form of mild exercise will help: Take a walk, ride your bike, or try a few minutes of yoga. Certain posturessuch as kneeling on all fours with your head down and your hips elevated-will sometimes help relieve cramping, too.

Diet. Individual women's reactions to foods vary tremendously, but it's often said that dairy foods aggravate menstrual-related bowel problems. Of course, if you become constipated, you can alleviate the problem by drinking more fluids (probably not milk) and increasing your fiber intake. Word-of-mouth endorsement also speaks well of dolomite (or any mixture of calcium and magnesium in a 2:1 ratio). Begin taking the mineral supplements one week before your period is due. (Eating more leafy vegetables will also provide a calcium boost.)

Other women say that B vitamins—especially Ba—act as diuretics and help alleviate edema. And if yeast infections are a problem, reduce your consumption of sugar and take more buttermilk and yogurt for their beneficial lactobacillus bacteria.

Contraception. It's widely agreed that dysmenorrhea is—to a certain extentstressrelated, and the fear of an unwanted pregnancy can cause enormous anxiety to accompany the onset of a woman's period (or the lack of it). If you don't want to conceive, avoid the worry by using contraception consistently.

Herb teas. Traditional remedies for cramps include catnip, saffron, chamomile, mint, raspberry, and blackberry leaf infusions. Dandelion and sassafras are mild diuretics, so teas brewed from such herbs may help relieve a bloated feeling.

Heat. Grandmother was right! Warm baths or a hot water bottle held on the lower back or the abdomen will work wonders.

Massage. Menstrual pain is often transferred to the lower spinal area, so a soothing back massage-with warm coconut oil or another lubricant-can really help. Some women obtain relief from abdominal massage, as well.

Acupressure. This form of natural healing is simply acupuncture without the needles: To use it, you press a fingertip firmly on the appropriate points to release blocked currents of energy. There are several acupressure points that help relax the uterus. First, stimulate the small hollow of bone that's one hand's width above the ankle on the inside of the leg. Also try the point two thumb widths up the inner arm, above the junction of the wrist and arm and in line with the middle finger . . . or the one between the nail and first joint of the middle finger on the side toward the thumb.

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