By Meirav Devash; photography by Mitch Mandel
They’re women. They get cramps. They have the answers! So why ask anybody else?
Gynaecologists: they’re just like us! Except with a medical degree in quieting ungodly pain. We’d be crazy not to use their tried-and-true strategies for treating period cramps, below.
Bonus: They dip into the dark chocolate…
They pretreat
“I take 600mg of ibuprofen every six hours for the three days before my period to decrease prostaglandin build-up, the chemicals largely responsible for cramps.” — Dr Angela Jones
They add heat
“I put my old-school heating pad on my abdomen. The warmth relaxes uterine muscles and relieves pain.” — Dr Sheeva Talebian
They skip chips
“Salty foods prompt the body to hold more water, which makes PMS symptoms like bloating and aching even worse. So I try to be mindful of my intake – and not reach for the kettle chips I really want.” — Dr Janet Choi
They go green
“I avoid sugary foods that spike blood sugar and promote inflammation, and I eat a lot of anti-inflammatory leafy greens, berries, quinoa and spices like turmeric. When I crave sweets, I stick with dark chocolate; it’s high in magnesium, which can help alleviate cramps.” — Talebian
They get busy
“Sex, particularly the kind that ends in orgasm, helps relieve cramps. During the big O, the body releases another O, the hormone oxytocin, which works like a natural painkiller.” — Choi
We’ve got the low-down on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about your period. Plus: How to ease the monthly pain with yoga!
