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Journalism of Courage
There are around 4.05 billion women on the planet, and each one has had their share of period pain experiences and ways of dealing with it. Some turn to hot water bottles, warm teas, or chocolates, while others have to resort to medication just to stay functional during that time of the month. The raging tsunami of overwhelming emotions, however, remains a common occurrence. But what if you could get through the pain by cursing, swearing, and just letting it loose?
Dr Tanaya Narendra, also known as Dr Cuterus, recently shared an unusual remedy on a podcast. “A very effective way of dealing with any kind of pain, not just period pain, is gaali dena. Humare paas studies hain jo dikhati hain ki agar do groups banaye jayein, to jis group ko gaali dena allowed hai, woh zyada der tak pain sustain kar sakta hai,” Dr Tanaya said. (Cursing helps in relieving any kind of pain, including period pain. There are studies to support this. If you divide a group into two and one of them is allowed to curse, they can sustain pain stimuli for longer.)
She further referred to Keele University’s 2009 study, led by psychologist Dr Richard Stephens, in which two groups were asked to immerse their hands in ice-cold water. The group that was allowed to curse could sustain the pain for 30 seconds longer. Dr Tanaya explained that since they were able to vent their aggression through words, their pain tolerance increased.
“Toh gaali do yaar mast. Chocolate khao. Partner chocolate nahi laya toh usko gaali do,” she jokingly suggested. (Curse freely, eat chocolate, and curse your partner if they don’t bring you chocolate.)
Taking a cue from Dr Tanaya’s suggestion, we reached out to Neha Parashar, clinical psychologist at Mindtalk, to verify if this hack actually works.
“Swearing activates the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotion and stress responses. This activation triggers the release of adrenaline and endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers,” Parashar tells us while explaining the physiological reason.
“Psychologically, swearing can create a sense of release and emotional validation, helping a person feel more in control of their experience. This combination of emotional catharsis and neurochemical changes can momentarily dull pain perception,” she adds.
Even though a few studies suggest a correlation between swearing and pain relief, Parashar cautions that the evidence is limited and not specifically focused on menstrual pain, and thus shouldn’t be taken as a substitute for medical treatment.
Parashar explains that stress and strong emotions can worsen period pain by increasing cortisol levels in the body. “Elevated stress hormones can heighten sensitivity to pain and lead to muscle tension, which aggravates cramps.”
Furthermore, anxiety and low mood can alter the way the brain processes pain signals, making discomfort feel more intense. This is why relaxation, emotional support, and stress management are key to managing menstrual health.
To reduce the severity of cramps, Parashar suggests practices such as regular physical activity, gentle stretching or yoga, adequate hydration, balanced meals rich in iron and magnesium, and consistent sleep. “Heat therapy, like using a hot water bag on the lower abdomen, and mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, are also effective.”
However, Parashar emphasises that if pain is severe or disrupts daily life, consulting a gynaecologist or psychologist for tailored treatment is crucial.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
