How Heating Pads Can Help Relieve Period Cramps?

Call it period cramps, PMS, or period pain, the underlying thing about all these names is the pain.

Period cramps are one of the most excruciating experiences that menstruating women go through every month before and during their period. Its severity differs from person to person, and studies have shown that it gets milder with age.

We speak for most women when we say period cramps can be very upsetting and downright painful. Plus, it disrupts plans, ruins the mood, and hampers productivity.

Home remedies have always been the go-to treatment for menstruating women to ease period pains before technology came to the rescue.

One of such remedies is Heat Therapy. Whether it’s a hot bath, a hot water bottle, or a heating pad, menstruating women everywhere have found relief at one time or another, thanks to the heat.

In this post, we explain the science of how heating pads work their magic and other relevant tidbits you need to know about using heating pads.

It’s time to beat down the pain and regain your cherished comfort. What do you say? Great! Let’s get into it.

The Science Of How Heat Helps To Ease Period Pain

Isn’t it puzzling that heat helps to relieve menstrual pains? Well, let’s find out the cause of the pain in the first place.
Simply put, the uterus is a wonderful organ. You are most likely familiar with the structure of this organ - especially the fallopian tubes. What you may not know is that your uterine wall is made up of three layers of muscles. And every month, the linings on your uterine walls are shed off when there is no conception. This happens when the uterus muscles contract, and that is the cause of the pain you feel.

These contractions are initiated by prostaglandins, a hormone-like substance secreted to aid the process. The more the prostaglandins, the more severe the pains can be.

So how does heat relieve the pain?

By helping your blood circulation and flow around the area of pain. When you raise the temperature around the painful area, it eases the disturbance you feel and increases muscle flexibility. 

Types of heating pads useful to relieve your period cramps

Before you buy any heating pads for period cramps, note that there are different types of heating pads. Here are five types of heating pads you should know about.

• Electric heating pads

Electric heating pads use embedded coils to generate various degrees of heat. They also come with heat settings, automatic power shut-down, and other functionalities. Most models of these pads work only when plugged into an electric outlet.

• Liquid pads or gel pads

Gel or liquid pads require external heating, most likely via a  microwave before use. They are also wearable and can be used on the go.

• Infrared heating pads

Infrared heating pads need electricity to work. These types of heating pads may also have batteries. Users can determine the heat output with the tool settings of the device.

• Chemical pads

Chemical pads produce heat when there is a chemical reaction. Although this heat can be short-lived, however, they are handy and easy to use.

• Natural Heating Pads
  

The only available option that can be used for moist heat therapy as well as for cold therapy for headaches and migraines pain relief. Moist heat therapy play a significant role in decreasing pain perception by peripheral pain receptors and their transmission towards the central nervous system. Moist heat penetrates more quickly in the skin than dry heat and provides quicker pain relief than other heating pads.

How To Use Heating Pads To Relieve Period Cramps

Typically, you will find instructions on product packs that will guide you on how to use the pads. That said, follow these steps to get the best result when using a heating pad.

• Apply the pad to your lower abdomen or the pain point
• Allow it to stay for 10 - 20 minutes
• Remove the pad and replace it after 10 minutes
• Repeat the process until you feel a relief

Precautions To Observe When Using Heating Pads To Ease Period Cramps

• Avoid excessive exposure to avoid burns
• Don’t apply pad directly to your skin
• Always keep it out of the reach of children
• If you use an electric heating pad, ensure to keep it away from contact with moisture. This can damage the pad.

Alternatives Remedies To Heating Pads That Can Be Used To Relieve Period Cramps

If you wish to try out other methods to relieve your menstrual cramps, here are a few practical suggestions you may want to consider.

• Do some exercises

Understandably, menstrual cramps can make you less active. However, a little aerobic exercise here and there can keep your muscles active and lessen the pain.

• Analgesics

Pain relievers are quite effective in reducing menstrual cramps. Examples are Ibuprofen (Advil), Paracetamol, Aspirin, and Camylofin, to mention a few.

• Massage

Essential oils can help you do an excellent job of massaging areas around your abdomen. Get a subtle massage and watch how the pain reduces.

• Hormonal birth control pills

Although this is used mainly as a contraceptive, it has also been discovered to help reduce pain from period cramps.

Conclusion

Period cramps are unavoidable, as far as menopause isn’t around the corner. So, it’s unfair that it robs you of your everyday life. Heating pads can help you achieve pain relief without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for natural premium heating pads for period cramps, you can shop from some of the affordable ones on this website!