Period talk: Questions and advice
in Women's Health ·
I used to deal with absolutely brutal cramps—honestly, I was practically a regular at the ER almost every single month. The weird part? Every gynecologist visit came back perfectly normal. My doctor basically just shrugged and told me that’s just how my body works, suggesting I’d be fine once I had kids, and in the meantime, I should just pop some Voltaren a few days before my period starts. Of course, I didn't take the advice. I can't stand living on painkillers. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started sipping on this herbal tea blend specifically for menstrual cramps—I get it from a local lady who runs a small stall at the farmer's market—and I really tightened up my diet. About a week before my cycle hits, I cut out dairy and sweets entirely and lean heavily into fruits and veggies (there's actually some great info on this over at the Mayo Clinic website). Ginger tea helps quite a bit, too. It wasn't an overnight fix by any means, but after a few months of sticking to it, I noticed a massive difference. The pain is about five times more manageable now, and there are even days where I don't need a single pill, which used to feel totally impossible.