For many women their bleeding time each month can be a painful
experience. For thousands of years women have come up for a variety of
reasons why this is happening to them, and the pain can vary from woman
to woman. For some women the pain is debilitating.
Painful
menstruation
is known as Dysmenorrhea which literally means “difficult
menstruation”. Each month when the uterine lining sheds as
menstruation, the uterus must contract. In women with dysmenorrhea the
contractions are very painful. The uterus may even spasm. Pain can be
localized to the lower abdomen, but it can also be in the lower back, in
the vulva, as well as radiating down the thighs. This wave like pain
is often accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and
diarrhea. The pain can begin up to 24 hours before menses begins and
usually lasts for the first 48 hours once menses begins. In some women
the pain may last up to 72 hours once menses begins.
Painful menstruation is one of the leading causes for women to miss
work. This type of regular monthly pain also makes painful menstruation
one of the leading reasons for regular use of NSAID’s (nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs).
If you have extremely painful menstruation it is important to talk to
your doctor about this. It is important to rule out if what you are
experiencing is actual Primary Dysmenorrhea, or Secondary Dysmennorrhea.
Primary means that it is the first issue, whereas secondary means
there is another health issue causing or contributing to the painful
menstruation. For example; Secondary Dysmenorrhea is often caused by
endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or uterine fibroids. There may also be
other factors that are causing pain that may also need to be ruled out,
such as IBS, constipation, UTI, etc.
If you know that you have other
fertility issues that are the underlying cause of your menstrual pain,
it is important to address those issues as well. While it is always
easier to treat pain acutely (when it is happening) rather than address
the root cause, it is very important to find out what is causing the
pain in your body.
What Causes Painful Menstrual Cramps?
In the ‘70’s studies began to come out that showed a link to why
women experience painful menstrual cramps. Scientists discovered that
women with menstrual cramps had high levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha
(PGF2). Prostaglandin F2 alpha is made by the uterus to stop
progesterone production when there has been no implantation at the end
of the menstrual cycle. Women with Dysmennorhea have been shown to
produce 7 times more prostaglandin F2 alpha than women who do not. When
the prostaglandin F2 alpha is released into the blood stream in high
levels it causes the uterus to spasm. This also creates a state of
inflammation because PGF2 is a known inflammatory chemical in the body.
Uterine cramping and inflammation is the cause of the pain. Scientists
still do not know why the body produces more PGF2 in women with painful
menstrual cramps.
Natural Ways to Decrease Menstrual Cramp Pain
I will share with you some natural remedies to help treat menstrual
cramping when it is happening, but also remedies and mind/body practices
to consider long term to help relieve your menstrual cramp pain
forever!
Nutritional Considerations First!
That’s right, getting adequate nutrition every day should be top
priority! Considering that Dysmenorrhea is an inflammatory state in the
body, it is important to avoid foods that increase inflammation
response. High glycemic foods are known to increase levels of
inflammatory chemicals in the body, including PGF2. When looked at
holistically both doctors, naturopaths and herbalists agree that an
anti-inflammatory diet is important.
Avoid refined carbohydrates. Stick to whole grains like oats, millet, brown rice, quinoa, etc. Eat only 3 servings of grains at most a day. Eliminate sugary foods and processed sugar. Choose very limited amounts of honey or agave. Choose Stevia as a sweetner when possible.
Consider eliminating dairy. Dairy products are
congesting to the body and many doctors have seen a reduction in
menstrual cramp pain in women who eliminated dairy products. If you
choose dairy, try to purchase organic or organic raw dairy only to avoid
added hormones.
Reduce red meat and egg yolk consumption to at most 2-3 times a week.
This is because both red meat and egg yolk are high in arachidonic
acid (AA). This has been found to increase cellular inflammation in
some people. To find out if you are senstive to AA, eliminate red meat
and egg yolk for a month. Reintroduce it and see if your symptoms come
back. Choose organic free range meats and eggs when possible to avoid
added hormones.
Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables!
Important Nutritional Supplements
Whole Food Multivitamin
Be sure to take a good whole food prenatal multivitamin.
This will help you to maintain adequate nutrition. Many of do not
consume enough fresh foods because of our food system, therefore our
nutritional levels are lacking what our bodies need each day to function
properly.Vitamin A
Be sure to get enough Vit. A through a natural whole food source (cod
liver oil) or beta-carotein (carrots). This will help to keep estrogen
levels regulated.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps to relax smooth muscle tissue. It has been shown to
reduce menstrual cramping greatly. Magnesium deficiency is a leading
cause of menstrual cramps.
Omega 6
Are you getting enough Omega-6 fatty acid? Both Borage oil and Evening Primrose Oil
are high in Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fats can assist fertility by
improving reproductive cell structure, decrease risk of inflammation and
improve the condition of organs in the body. Borage and EPO tone the
uterus. Honestly it is best to take a complete essential fatty acid
supplement. This will help you to get a wide variety of EFA’s!
Digestive Upset with Inflammation
Ginger: If you experience nausea, vomiting or
diarrhea due to painful cramping and hormonal changes, ginger is one of
the best herbs to soothe the stomach. It is also anti-inflammatory.
Also see Chamomile
Self Fertility Massage and Fertility Yoga
Uterine spasm is sometimes associated with a weak uterus. If the
uterine muscles are “out of shape” they are more likely to spasm.
Self Fertility Massage
may greatly help to strengthen, stimulate, detoxify and support overall
uterine health. Self Fertility Massage also increases endorphins which
help reduce pain. Another good option is to practice Fertility Yoga.
Fertility Yoga uses specific poses to keep the reproductive organs in proper alignment, with adequate circulation.
Source: Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, Christiane Northrup, M.D., Bantam Books, 2010
The dead
woman was a market vendor, who collapsed and died outside her home in
Monrovia, Liberia, while leaving to walk to a treatment center,
according to her relatives. Above, her sister is seen grieving on the
ground following the burial team’s departure.
The
late woman’s mother, Sophia Doe (right), and her young grand daughters
weep as her daughter’s remains are removed for cremation on Saturday.
In
this image, her husband, Varney Jonson, 46, is seen crying out in pain
as crews – donning white overalls, gloves and goggles – transport the
body of his wife, Nama Fambule, to a crematorium following a year-long
illness that he insists was not Ebola-related.
As
the proper burial of loved ones is so important in Liberian culture,
the removal of infected bodies for incineration is all the more
traumatic for surviving family members. Many relatives attempt to
convince burial teams to leave the bodies behind.
A woman grieves as Ebola burial team members arrive to take away the body of Mekie Nagbe, 28, for cremation
Ebola
is striking all ages.Another photo shows crews removing the body of a
four-year-old girl, wrapped in a blanket, from an apartment.
A Liberian policeman is pictured watching as an Ebola burial team prepares to take away the body of Ms Nagbe.
