The myometrium is the middle layer of your uterine wall, and it is also where the smooth muscles are, which contract and cause pain.īy relaxing the myometrium, your blood vessels that were once constricted are able to relax and allow more blood flow to your uterus.Īt the end of the day, this is just theory. Now in the case of the notorious menstrual cramps, one theory about why it works suggests that heat relaxes the myometrium. The main reason why heat therapy is so incredibly beneficial for pain is because heat naturally increases blood flow to the site of your pain, and this increased blood flow relaxes your muscles in that specific area. When used to relieve period cramps, heating pads have the same effect on uterine muscles, helping them to relax more. They are very helpful for pain relief because they increase circulation and, as a result, help to relax cramped or tight muscles. Heating pads have been used to relieve menstrual pain for ages. Even so, they are far from fun and can certainly hinder everything from our moods to our usual day-to-day. For most of us ladies, cramps will come and go and be uncomfortable but not unbearable. The pain can range from being pretty mild to plain agonizing.įor example, a recent study confirmed that one in ten women actually aren’t able to go about their daily activities because the pain from their period cramps is that intense. Menstrual cramps can wreak havoc on your abdomen and even your lower back. Endometriosis can also cause cramps to be even more painful than usual. So why are menstrual cramps mildly uncomfortable in some women and couch-condemning in others, you might ask? Well, that can be due to a handful of factors: like heavier bleeding in some women, health conditions like adenomyosis, differences in pain tolerance, and even larger blood clots being pushed through the cervix. And as you probably already know, cramps tend to be a little more intense during the first day or two of your period. You see, your uterus is basically one big muscle, and those contractions happen to make the lining of the uterus shed, thus causing the arrival of your Auntie Flow. On the other side of the coin, prostaglandin (and your monthly cramps) are decreased when you take hormonal birth control because you are not building up that endometrial tissue. When endometrial cells are broken down during your monthly cycle, the prostaglandins are released, and they are indirectly related to estrogen. Those painful contractions are sparked by chemicals called prostaglandins, which are produced in the lining of the uterus. Period cramps happen when the muscles of your uterus contract, which typically happens just before or during your period. Why Do We Get Period Cramps in the First Place?īefore we dive into all the wonders of using a heating pad for period pain, why exactly do women experience cramps in the first place? Great question. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about using a heating pad for cramps. Period pain is no joke, and studies show that 80% of women have experienced period cramps - that’s a lot of women in pain each month when you really think about it! Thankfully, heating pads for cramps are available, but how exactly do they work? Raise your hand if you have ever felt personally victimized by your period pain.
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