What are period cramps? - solidarity in discomfort

Period cramps are the universal handshake of uterus-havers. It’s like your body joined a secret club where the only initiation is a monthly dose of pain. If you’ve ever curled up in fetal position, clutching your abdomen and questioning your life choices, you know exactly what we mean.

But cramps aren’t just about abdominal pain. They often come with lower back aches, hip soreness, inner thigh tension, upset stomachs, and yes diarrhea. It’s a full-body rebellion. While understanding cramps won’t make them vanish, it can help you feel more in control of your cycle and your comfort.

Types of menstrual cramps

There are two main types of cramps:

1. Primary dysmenorrhea

This is the “classic” period pain caused by uterine contractions during menstruation. It usually begins a couple of years after your first period and may ease with age. Some people even report less cramping after childbirth.

Pain ranges from mild (like tiny aliens kickboxing your uterus) to severe (medium-sized aliens with knives). It’s normal, but still no fun.

2. Secondary dysmenorrhea

This type is linked to underlying reproductive conditions like:

Endometriosis;
Adenomyosis;
Uterine fibroids;
Pelvic infections.

These cramps tend to start earlier in your cycle and last longer. If your pain feels intense or unusual, talk to your doctor.

What causes period cramps?

Cramps are caused by uterine contractions triggered by prostaglandins - hormone-like chemicals released before and during menstruation. When contractions are strong, they can compress nearby blood vessels, reducing oxygen flow and causing pain. It’s not your uterus revolting, it’s just doing its job a little too enthusiastically.

How to treat cramps: tried and true tips

Here are some proven ways to ease the pain:

Take ibuprofen before cramps start;
Use a heating pad on your abdomen or lower back;
Take a warm bath (bonus points for candles and tea);
Avoid caffeine, which can worsen cramps;
Rest and practice deep breathing;
Massage your abdomen in clockwise circles with essential oils like lavender.

Lunette community wisdom

We asked our community to share their best cramp-busting tips. Here’s what they swear by:

“I do knee circles while lying on my back and breathe deeply with music. Since switching to my Lunette cup and cloth pads, I’ve had zero cramps. Coincidence? I think not.”
“Heating pads, Epsom salt baths, and walks help. Tampons made my cramps worse, so I switched to pads and cloth.”
“Chocolate, massage, warm bath, and Lunette -cramps gone.”
“Lavender oil in coconut oil, massaged clockwise from the belly button. Total game-changer.”
“Magnesium supplements = no cramps. Natural remedies FTW.”
“Avoid coffee and red meat. Drink water and tea. Iron supplements help too.”
“Pressure points, warm liquids, rocking back and forth, and lavender oil.”
“Metal music and fair trade hot chocolate. Don’t knock it till you try it.”
“Deep water aerobics. A glass of wine. A hot bath. Bliss.”
“Preparation is key - motherwort tincture and no salt the week before.”
“Cotton bras at night for sore boobs. No wires, no pain.”
“A long hike and a hot water bottle. Nature heals.”

Whether you’re a heating pad devotee or a magnesium convert, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But exploring what works for you is part of the journey. And if you’re looking for sustainable period care that might just reduce cramps, check out our Lunette Period Cup range.

Photo: courtesy of Pinterest