What Can Cramps After Period Times Mean?
If you have already had your period and you are still experiencing cramping, you may be wondering what cramps after period times could possibly mean. Well, it could mean a lot of things.
Pregnancy:
First of all, it is possible to have cramping and bleeding during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. In fact, bleeding can often occur during implantation. Implantation happens when the fertilized embryo attaches to the uterus lining. However, that is generally 6 to 8 days after the egg has been fertilized.
So, if you are sexually active and cramping, you may potentially be pregnant. You may want to consider getting a home pregnancy test or going to your gynecologist for a check up. It's entirely possible that the cramping is normal, if you are expecting.
A False End:
Another option is that cramps after period times may not be after period times at all. Your period might have had a sort of false end. Many women find that their blood flow is high on some days and low on others during their cycle. It's not all that unusual for it to stop altogether for a few hours or even a day and then continue. So, your cramping could actually be a sign that your period isn't quite done yet.
Understanding The Stages Of Your Cycle:
The stages of your cycle can be broken up into three phases. The first phase is shedding the lining, the second phase is ovulation and the third phase is maintaining the new lining and giving it a good blood supply, while also producing progesterone.
Ovulation occurs after the main period of bleeding is over. However, it is possible that you could experience cramping and discomfort during the ovulation phase. That generally lasts for two to three days and can feel a lot like the cramps that you get just prior to or during your regular menstruation.
What Creates Cramping In The First Place?
Before you can understand cramping after period times fully, you need to understand what creates cramping. It all has to do with prostaglandins, which is a substance in the uterine lining of each woman. As your uterine lining begins to shed, the hormonal substances, like prostaglandins, are released into your body.
Prostaglandins create cramping because of two things. First, they cause your uterus to contract. Second, they cause arteries and veins to expand within your pelvic region. In plain terms, that means that blood will pool inside your abdomen, causing you to become bloated and uncomfortable and magnifying the cramping.
Sometimes, prostaglandins levels can remain high within your body for a few days after your bleeding cycle ends. That can create cramps after period times, but it isn't anything to worry about. It's fairly common, in fact.
Other Reasons For Cramps After Period:
There are several other specific reasons for what seems like late cramping. For example, the fallopian tubes can contract and sort of pulse during ovulation. That can seem almost like a regular menstrual cramp. The only difference is that the cramp might only be on one side because both tubes may not contract at the same time.
Mucus filling the fallopian tubes during ovulation can also contribute to the issue. Tearing of small blood vessels during ovulation can also be a cause of cramps. In fact, if an ovarian follicle gets ruptured during ovulation, it can be quite uncomfortable.
Treatment Options:
Unfortunately, it really is impossible to avoid cramping during, just before or just after your period. However, you can reduce your risk factors for it or treat it when it occurs. Reducing your risk factors involves:
Eating Healthy Foods
Exercising Regularly
Getting Plenty Of Sleep
Reducing Or Eliminating Alcohol, Cigarettes And Sugary Snacks
If the cramps are already present then you have a lot of options for reducing the pain. Some of them include:
Massaging The Area Lightly
Applying Heat To The Area
Drinking A Hot Beverage
Taking A Hot Bath
You also could take ibuprofen or some other over-the-counter medication to reduce your symptoms. However, you might create side effects in the process. A lot of over-the-counter and prescription medications are ineffective against female issues. Some of them are equivalent to trying to put a small band aid on a huge bullet wound.
Regular medications are not exactly known for bringing harmony and balance to the body. In fact, some of them might make you feel worse than you felt before. So, if you want to treat cramps after period times, or during period times, you may want to try a mixture of vitamins, minerals and herbs.
Getting The Right Mixture:
B vitamins, magnesium, calcium and similar vitamins and minerals can be great at getting rid of cramp pains. So can certain herbs, like blue and black cohosh, wild yam and evening primrose. However, it's not as simple as trying one or the other. You have to find just the right mix of all three, vitamins, herbs and minerals.
Unless you happen to be a long-time herbal expert, you will probably be lost trying to come up with the right mix on your own. So, you'll be glad to know that many herbal supplements have already been combined for you. For example, Period Vitamin contains all of the vitamins, minerals and herbs mentioned above, as well as others. Some of those others include chasteberry, raspberry and niacin. That makes Period Vitamin one of the leading natural cramp-relieving supplements around.
Taking Care Of Your Body:
What it all comes down to is that taking care of your body is absolutely vital, if you want to prevent or relieve cramping. So, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle. No matter how healthy you are, though, there may be times when your body needs a little extra help to stay balanced. Especially during or right after your monthly period.
You cannot expect to balance a problem within your body by using man-made chemical treatments. In fact, too many chemicals may be what caused your body to get out of whack in the first place. So, if you start infusing your daily diet with the right combination of vitamins, minerals, herbs and healthy foods, you should be able to relieve cramps after period times, as well as improve your general health.
