I got rid of my period cramps without any drugs:” Introducing Guud Ambassador, Andrea

Did you know that menstrual cramps are one of the most common period-related complaints? The vast majority of women suffer from cramps either just before or during their period and for some, like Andrea, their cramps can be extremely painful.

Most women will reach for painkillers to help manage their period cramps, but you might be surprised to learn that you can actually help your body avoid cramps without any medication at all. You can of course take the edge off with a heating pad or pain medication but treating the cause - through lifestyle changes and the right supplements for menstrual health - is key to reducing your pain.  

“I suffered from heavy cramps and I don’t like to take a lot of painkillers,” says Andrea. "Thanks to Guud Woman, I have learned a lot about how my cycle affects my overall health and I no longer need to take painkillers every month."

What Causes Menstrual Cramps? 

Cramps are something that most of us just expect as part of our menstrual cycle, but we often don’t stop to think about what actually causes the period cramps. Scientists think that cramps are caused by prostaglandins, a substance that your uterus makes that causes it to contract. The cramping feeling is your uterus contracting. If prostaglandin levels are higher, the more pain you will feel from cramping. 

Just like Andrea, most women expect cramps when they have their period. It’s not because they are common that they are normal.  Andrea had taken the cramps for granted until she found out that something could be done about them. One solution can be found in the mineral magnesium.

Magnesium is an important mineral that helps support your muscle function. And there's more, studies have shown that magnesium and vitamin B6 can ease menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms. You can find magnesium in dark chocolate, among other things, but also in bananas, nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, or supplements. Make sure you choose supplements with easily absorbable magnesium such as magnesium citrate and/or bisglycinate.

“I really wasn’t aware that your menstrual cycle could have such an effect on you,” continued Andrea. “Guud Woman really made me understand how my cycle impacts my body and that you can actually do stuff to make yourself feel better.” 

Want to know more? Check out our blog post called Menstrual Cramps and how to Avoid them

Living According to Your Cycle 

When you understand your cycle, you can make lifestyle changes to harness the power of your menstrual cycle instead of working against it. That is something Andrea learned by taking control of her menstrual health and incorporating Guud Woman into her daily routine. 

“During the ovulation phase, most of the time you feel more beautiful, and you have more energy,” says Andrea. “So for me, I try to plan meetings, film videos for work, do sports and other things that make me feel good.” 

Here are some benefits of living according to your cycle: 

• You’ll feel better more days of the month
• You can make better decisions
• You can add more variety to your life both in terms of nutrition and exercise
• You’ll be more in tune with your body as you start to recognise patterns
• You will notice a decrease in PMS symptoms

Do you want to live according to your cycle? We’ve got a whole blog post on this very topic: Cycle sync Why is it so Guud? 

If you’re feeling inspired by Andrea to take control of your menstrual health and harness the power of your cycle, check out our blog post on The four seasons of your cycle. 

And if you have questions about how our supplements can help you manage cramps or any other period complaint, get in touch. We’re here to help you.