Jell: menstrual cramp

There are many things that I enjoy about being a woman, like the freedom to love all things cute without losing face. :) But there is one thing I hate and that would have to be menstrual cramps.

Source: www.zerochan.net

Ever since I could remember, menstrual always comes with menstrual cramps (as if the hassle of period, bloating and feeling of sluggishness is not troublesome enough). Into my high school, it got even worst. A week before my supposed period, I would easily pick up any illness that has been spreading around be it fever or flu. My attendance then was that of the student who has last position in class who by chance sat next to me and we always joke about who was going to skip school tomorrow. :P

At that time, I would gobble down pain killers like it was sweets. Don't even bother to tell me the long term side effects because I don't believe in tomorrow when I am hurting like that. And I would sleep with pillows and blankets wrapped around my torso and yet it would still hurt.

One time, my dad took pity on me and decided to bring me to see a doctor who happened to be his good friend (who also had to be a man). How could a man understand what menstrual cramp felt like? You can read about it but you will not feel it so words can be poured out easily. This doctor happened to only have sons so he did not believe in the severity of menstrual cramps and low immune system a week before period as if it is as silly as believing in easter bunny or tooth fairy. He brushed off these symptoms easily and asked whether I have problems in school and 'menstrual cramps' and 'those illness' were just my excuses to skip school?

Since that didn't work, I decided to listen to some old wives' tales since woman would understand, right? Well, some suggested evening prime rose and some suggested drinking rose bud tea. Let me tell you, it didn't work for me. My sister later introduced me to try Elken's spirulina because an article once suggested that the reason menstrual cramps can get out of whack is because we lack a certain protein which helps regulate the hormones and spirulina is a type of protein. I tried it, and it works in reducing the pain provided I consume it consistently. Other symptoms like pre-menstrual illness and what-not was also gone.

Other ailments such as ginger soup with rice wine and egg and ginger black sugar soup (Taiwan's famous drink) were also great but it just wasn't good enough. If this was 50% of what being in labor felt like, I want nothing to do with it!!

An article suggested that lack of exercise was also one of the cause so I tried to exercise more, especially close to the period itself I would play badminton for 2 hours and it works. Not only did I significantly lose weight, but the symptoms and cramps were gone. But have no illusion, intensive sports such as these do come with their sores and aches. What I mainly did was choose a different pain in order to avoid menstrual pain, at least that was what it meant to me.

So I kinda accepted this as part and parcel of being a woman until recently when I started Lesmills body balance class. I forgot why I decided to try but once I started, I just love it. It is a workout class that combines tai chi, yoga, and pilates moves. The best part according to their main website was:

"Controlled breathing, concentration and a carefully structured series of stretches, moves and poses to music to create a holistic workout that brings the body into a state of harmony and balance."

And honestly, that was what I felt. Balanced and harmonized after each workout without sores and aches but sometimes when they change moves, some long forgotten muscles may ache a bit the next day but the best thing is the freedom from menstrual pain. I also introduced it to my friend just months ago and she said her menstrual pain also gone. That was like music to our ears~!