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