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Ease Pain From Menstrual Cramps

Between 16 and 91 percent of women and girls suffer from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), per a review, with many turning to over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for relief. However, although most women tolerate intermittent short-term use of NSAIDS, common NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) aren’t recommended for women with bleeding disorders, asthma, an aspirin allergy, liver damage, stomach disorders, or ulcers, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

NSAIDs can also cause side effects like gas, bloating, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea or constipation, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is another pain-relieving medication often used for menstrual pain that may cause side effects, including rash, hives, difficulty swallowing, swelling, itching, and red skin, according to MedlinePlus.

Other holistic options, such as aromatherapy, may offer a safer alternative or complementary approach for easing menstrual pain and may potentially reduce NSAID use and side effects.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, painful menstrual cramps happen when the uterus contracts so strongly that it presses against nearby blood vessels, cutting off the muscle tissue’s oxygen supply. Pain is felt when part of the uterus briefly loses access to oxygen.

Limited research suggests that essential oils may help relieve menstrual pain. In one study in Korea, 45 high school girls received a single 10-minute abdominal massage with either an Essential Oil blend or acetaminophen. The essential oil group experienced a greater reduction in pain after 24 hours compared with those who took acetaminophen.

However, while the study results are promising, they should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s unclear whether the pain-lowering effects were due to the abdominal massage, the essential oils, or both. The small size and the fact that only one treatment was given make it impossible to conclude how aromatherapy might work for larger groups of women in the long term.

Another review published in November 2018 in the Journal of Clinical Medicine examined 19 studies on the use of aromatherapy (via inhalation, massage, and oral consumption) to help alleviate pain in women experiencing primary dysmenorrhea. It found a moderate level of evidence for the efficacy of essential oils to potentially reduce menstrual pain but concluded that future research, overcoming certain methodological roadblocks, is warranted.