Does cranberry juice help with periods and PMS? Cranberry juice on table

Cranberries have long been thought to be beneficial for women, and you may have heard your mother or grandmother mention that cranberry juice has long been used to relieve unpleasant menstruation cramps. This fruit is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, and its juice offers numerous health benefits for women. But does cranberry juice help with periods and PMS?

Let’s explore how this miracle fruit works to possibly relieve muscle cramps and discuss its other health advantages and alternative remedies.

 

 

How to Ease Period Cramps Infographic Summary

 

 

How cranberry juice may help with periods and PMS?

Did you know that cranberries are high in antioxidants? A common myth about cranberry juice is that it may help cure menstrual cramps.

However, this is a misconception as Prostaglandins are secreted into the body during menstruation. These hormone-like chemicals cause uterine contractions, which allow the uterus to shed its lining. Your cramps tend to get more severe as your body creates more prostaglandins. Cranberry juice does not affect prostaglandin levels in the body, so the answer to ‘Does cranberry juice help with periods’ is no, it will not likely play any role in easing your menstrual cramps. ( )

Home remedies for PMS symptoms

PMS symptoms vary from person to person. Here are a few common PMS symptoms you may experience:

  • Lower abdomen pain
  • Pain in the lower back, inner thighs and hips
  • Pressure in belly

According to a brief meta-analysis published in Scientific Reports, a heating pad or heated towel can significantly relieve menstrual cramps.

To relax your muscles, you can also massage your belly with essential oils like lavender, cinnamon, or oil mixtures. Individuals with sensitive skin can avoid unpleasant side effects by testing them on a small patch of skin and waiting a day to see if they irritate. Make sure to use organic essential oils to ensure that they work.

Young girl with period cramps using cranberry juice to relieve PMS

Exercise and healthy eating are also effective natural cramp relievers. According to a study published in Electronic Physician, these two elements, together with reducing stress, played a significant influence in relieving period pain. ( )

Moreover, here are a few simple lifestyle changes that may also help reduce menstrual cramps:

  • Reduce your caffeine and salt intake
  • Take dietary supplements
  • Work on managing stress
  • Try out acupressure or acupuncture
  • Avoid consuming alcohol and Tobacco
  • Consult your doctor about herbal medication
  • Rest if the pain worsens

If these steps don’t help much, you can consult your doctor, and they may prescribe medication. Read on to find out what medicine can help with reducing menstrual cramps.

Medications to reduce PMS symptoms

Pain killers such as Naproxen and Paracetamol tablets can help ease menstrual cramps; if you’re wondering whether you can take Naproxen and Paracetamol together check out our latest article. Furthermore, while preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may also have other advantages, such as making your period less painful and more regular, clearing up your skin, and lowering your cancer risk. Thus, you can also look into starting birth control if you have severe menstrual cramps every month. For more information on birth control, check out our A-Z of contraception.

Woman using contraception for PMS relief from period pain

You can conveniently order painkillers and contraceptive pills such as Yasmin, Millinette, Rigevidon, and Cerelle online at e-Surgery. However, we can’t stress enough how important it is to consult your doctor before starting any medication to rule out the possibility of medicine interactions. ( )

Image of Yasmin Image of Millinette
Image of Rigevidon Image of Cerelle

Other health issues that cranberry juice may help treat?

Did you know that cranberry juice is well known for preventing (but not treating) urinary tract infections (UTIs)? According to WebMD, the beverage can stop the bacteria that causes UTIs from growing after just 8 hours. Additionally, a study published by the American Chemical Society in Boston concludes that the active chemicals in cranberry juice can enter the urinary tract and begin battling bacteria immediately. Find out more about simple UTI remedies, as well as how to tell the difference between UTI and Thrush.

Because cranberry juice is beneficial to the urinary tract, it’s understandable that individuals might believe it could also aid with pH balance, menstruation cramps, and other vaginal health issues. However, while concentrated cranberry juice could theoretically assist with pH balance, there is no evidence that it can improve menstrual cramps or other menstruation-related problems. ( )

Takeaway

So, we conclude that cranberry juice may help some individuals relieve menstrual cramps but it is not scientifically proven. Additionally, you must have heard of the quote that anything in excess is a poison – Theodore Levitt. The same can be said for cranberry juice.

According to studies, daily doses of 120-750 mL for up to 90 days are required to achieve optimal health benefits. However, always consult your healthcare provider to determine the optimal dose. Moreover, every individual is different and what may work for someone may not work for you. Thus, if home remedies don’t seem to help you and your pain worsens, you should consult a doctor.

If menstrual cramps are severe or occur at periods other than menstruation, conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or sexually transmitted illnesses could cause the pain. A correct diagnosis is necessary not only to relieve pain but also to suggest the proper treatment.

Sources

  1. Menstrual Cramps & Cranberry Juice | healthfully.com
  2. Does Drinking Cranberry Juice Help When You’re On Your Period? | healthdigest.com
  3. Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention | webmd.com
  4. Does Drinking Cranberry Juice Help When You’re On Your Period? | healthdigest.com

Further Reading

  1. Why do girls drink cranberry juice? | Healthline
  2. Can cranberry juice affect your menstrual cycle? | Woman Junction
  3. Does cranberry juice help with periods and cramps? | Tastylicious