How to Fight Cramps with a Heating Pad

That time of the month has rolled around yet again and the cramping has begun. Using a heating pad to fight those monthly cramps will relieve some of your menstrual pain and will help you to function better during this tough week.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use an electrical heating pad. They heat up quickly and they often come with at least three heat settings so that you can choose between low, medium or high heat.
2. Apply a microwavable heating pad as an alternative to an electrical heating pad. Microwavable heating pads are more versatile because you can sit or lie anywhere in the house without having to be near a plug.
3. Rest the heating pad on your lower abdominal area or on your lower back, wherever you feel the most discomfort. You can also use two heating pads at the same time, one on your back and one on your stomach.
4. Keep the heating pad on through the night to help you to have a comfortable night's sleep and to prevent cramping in the morning. Some heating pads come with straps to keep the heating pad in place while you're sleeping or resting.
5. Experience relief throughout the day by using stick on, disposable menstrual relief heating pads. They are thin, unnoticeable, air activated pads that you can stick onto your underwear for up to eight hours of heat. You can find them in the drugstore either in the feminine hygiene section or in the heat therapy section.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're applying an electrical heating pad for a long period of time such as throughout the night keep it on a low to medium setting to avoid getting burnt or feeling uncomfortably hot. The microwavable heating pads will automatically cool off over time.
• Make sure to keep a cloth or a towel wrapped around the heating pad at all times so that you don't get burned. Keep the heating pad on top of your clothes while you sleep and never let it rest on bare skin.