concluded that more evaluation was needed to be sure.
Massage With Essential Oils for Pain Relief
Using certain aromatic essential oils and massage can also relieve menstrual cramp pain, according to a study published in May 2012 in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. Investigators assigned 48 women with menstrual cramps and other symptoms to massage either essential oils or a synthetic fragrance on their lower abdomen. The women used a mixture of diluted essential oils from the end of one period to the beginning of the next. Lavender, clary sage, and marjoram were used in a 2-1- 1 ratio, and the essential oils were diluted to a 3 percent concentration overall in an unscented cream( a solution created, for example, by adding 3 milliliters( ml) of essential oils to 97 ml of an unscented cream).
Women in both groups reported less pain, but the essential oils group did better. Based on the women ' s reports, researchers found that the duration of pain was reduced from 2.4 to 1.8 days after self-massaging with essential oils.
Curl Up With a Heating Pad to Ease Period Cramps
"[ Using ] a heating pad has been studied, and it seems to work," says Palmieri. In fact, one small study published in 2001 in Evidence-Based Nursing found that topically applied heat was just as effective as ibuprofen for period cramps. Examples of
concluded that more evaluation was needed to be sure.
Massage With Essential Oils for Pain Relief
Using certain aromatic essential oils and massage can also relieve menstrual cramp pain, according to a study published in May 2012 in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. Investigators assigned 48 women with menstrual cramps and other symptoms to massage either essential oils or a synthetic fragrance on their lower abdomen. The women used a mixture of diluted essential oils from the end of one period to the beginning of the next. Lavender, clary sage, and marjoram were used in a 2-1- 1 ratio, and the essential oils were diluted to a 3 percent concentration overall in an unscented cream( a solution created, for example, by adding 3 milliliters( ml) of essential oils to 97 ml of an unscented cream).
Women in both groups reported less pain, but the essential oils group did better. Based on the women ' s reports, researchers found that the duration of pain was reduced from 2.4 to 1.8 days after self-massaging with essential oils.
Curl Up With a Heating Pad to Ease Period Cramps
"[ Using ] a heating pad has been studied, and it seems to work," says Palmieri. In fact, one small study published in 2001 in Evidence-Based Nursing found that topically applied heat was just as effective as ibuprofen for period cramps. Examples of