India, Dec. 19 -- For many women, period cramps can be so debilitating that reaching for a painkiller feels almost automatic. While medication can be effective, it isn't always the only - or the first - option. Targeting inflammation, easing muscle contractions and improving blood flow through simple home remedies may help reduce menstrual pain naturally, offering relief before you have to pop a pill.

Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, has shared five home remedies that can be effective in relieving menstrual cramps without having to resort to medication. In an Instagram video shared on December 18, the physician highlights, "Period cramps can be incredibly painful. You've probably already hear...