15 Effective Ways to Reduce First-Day Period Pain
Reducing first-day menstrual pain will make it much easier for you to go about your daily activities more comfortably.
Undeniably, the first day of menstruation is often a major challenge for many women, as the pain that comes with it is frequently intense. It is no wonder that some countries have even started providing special leave for women who are menstruating.
To address this, there are several approaches you can take to alleviate the pain. Find out how here!
Causes of Menstrual Pain

Increased levels of prostaglandins leading up to menstruation trigger more intense uterine muscle contractions.
These contractions play an essential role in the process of shedding the uterine lining so that menstrual blood can be expelled. Unfortunately, the higher the prostaglandin levels, the stronger the contractions, which makes the pain you experience even more severe.
When your period first starts, prostaglandins are at their highest level, which is why the first day of menstruation is often so painful.[1]
How to Relieve First-Day Menstrual Pain?
If you are often tormented by menstrual pain on the first day, here are 15 ways to relieve menstrual pain that you can try to reduce it:
1. Consuming Peppermint Tea

Menthol in peppermint leaves has antispasmodic properties, meaning its consumption can relax muscles and minimize abdominal pain. Furthermore, the fatty acids in these leaves can also suppress prostaglandin production during your period.[2]
2. Consuming Ginger Tea

Bioactives in ginger, namely shogaol and gingerol, have anti-inflammatory properties that have the ability to prevent prostaglandin production.
Make ginger tea with a mixture of 10 grams of ginger, 10 grams of palm sugar, and 400 ml of water, and consume it for two days to reduce your menstrual pain.[3]
3. Consuming Turmeric Tea

Curcumin from this yellow rhizome has the ability to minimize inflammation and uterine contractions.[4]
Brew turmeric rhizome and mix it with honey to create a drink that eases menstrual pain and is more enjoyable to consume.
4. Consuming Tamarind Drink

Tamarind contains two compounds known as pain suppressors during menstruation, namely curcumin and anthocyanin.
A 2013 trial on female students revealed that boiled tamarind water effectively reduced pain in approximately 47% of subjects. Meanwhile, about 30% of subjects no longer felt menstrual pain.[5]
5. Water Therapy

Another natural way to relieve menstrual pain is through water therapy.
You can consume two glasses of water after waking up, 1.5 glasses before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then drink another glass before going to sleep.[6] Practice this therapy for three days before menstruation to feel its benefits.
6. Consuming Chamomile Tea

To reduce pain at night, another drink to relieve menstrual pain you can consume is chamomile tea.
Chamomile flowers contain glycine and hippurate, two compounds that can soothe muscle spasms. Furthermore, the sedative properties of these flowers will help you get a better night's sleep.
7. Warm Compress

Using a non-pharmacological method, you can place a bottle filled with warm water wrapped in a towel on your abdomen for 10 to 20 minutes to effectively relieve pain.[7]
8. Applying a Patch to the Lower Abdomen

The warmth from the patch will work to relieve muscle tension, causing the pain you feel to gradually disappear.
9. Massaging

A way to relieve menstrual pain with massage is to press the LV3 acupressure point located between the big toe and the second toe for one minute. Perform this massage before and during your period.
10. Acupuncture

When acupuncture needles pierce the Spleen 6 or SP6 point area (located above the ankle), your muscles will begin to relax, allowing pain to be suppressed and the body to feel calmer and more comfortable.
11. Sleeping in the Fetal Position

A sleeping position to reduce menstrual pain is the position where you sleep on your side curled up like a baby in the womb. Also, place a pillow between your legs. This method helps relieve tension in the abdominal muscles, thereby reducing pain.
12. Doing Aerobics

Regularly doing aerobic exercise well before your period can reduce by up to 90% the pain you usually feel during menstruation. Perform this exercise at least three to four times a week to feel its effectiveness.[8]
13. Relaxing in Warm Water

If you have a bathtub at home, soaking in warm water can increase blood flow and soothe muscles, so the pain will gradually decrease.
14. Taking Oral Medication

Ibuprofen and aspirin work by reducing prostaglandins. In this way, uterine muscle contractions are reduced and the pain you experience becomes more manageable. However, the use of these medications should still be under a doctor's supervision.
15. Consuming Sido Muncul Jamu Jamoe Life Style Kunyit Asam

In each package, Sido Muncul Jamu Jamoe Life Style Kunyit Asam contains turmeric and tamarind, which have been proven effective in suppressing pain during menstruation and promoting a smooth cycle.
Tired of the menstrual pain that haunts you every month? Keep Sido Muncul Jamu Jamoe Life Style Kunyit Asam at home as a practical and effective way to reduce first-day menstrual pain!
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