Dysmenorrhea / Painful Periods

Painful periods (also known as dysmenorrhea) are a common gynecological condition that affect many women of reproductive age. It’s characterized by severe menstrual cramps that occur just before or during menstruation, and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue.

Signs and Symptoms

The primary symptom of dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain. The pain may start several days before menstruation and continue for a few days after the onset of menstruation. The pain can be dull or sharp and may radiate to the lower back, thighs, or hips. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue. The severity of dysmenorrhea can vary from mild to debilitating, and can significantly impact a woman's quality of life.

Demographics

Dysmenorrhea affects a large percentage of women of reproductive age. It is estimated that up to 90% of women experience some form of menstrual pain during their lifetime. It’s most common in adolescents and young women, with up to 50% of adolescent girls experiencing menstrual pain severe enough to interfere with daily activities. However, women of all ages can experience dysmenorrhea, and it is not uncommon for women in their 30's and 40's to develop secondary dysmenorrhea.

Causes

Dysmenorrhea can be divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by the normal menstrual cycle and is not associated with any underlying medical conditions. It usually occurs in adolescents and young women and tends to improve with age or after pregnancy. On the other hand, secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, or ovarian cysts. It can occur at any age and usually requires medical intervention to manage.

The cause of dysmenorrhea is not entirely understood, but several factors are thought to contribute to the condition. One of the leading causes is the over-production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that are released during menstruation. These substances cause the uterus to contract, resulting in menstrual pain. Essentially, dysmenorrhea can be thought of an menstrual-inflammatory condition. 

Another common cause is an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, known as estrogen dominance.

Diagnosis

Medical lab testing may be appropriate for women with severe or chronic dysmenorrhea. Tests may include a complete blood count, pelvic ultrasound, or a diagnostic laparoscopy. These tests can help identify underlying conditions that may be contributing to the pain. If there are no underlying issues like this, then it’s important to look at hormone balance. As hormones become imbalanced, they can be a major cause of painful periods. We prefer to use a saliva hormone test because it’s much more detailed than using blood to look at hormones. 

There are several natural remedies for dysmenorrhea. Here’s what we start with: 

1. Start with a saliva hormone test to understand where your hormones are at. Many women with painful periods are what we term “estrogen dominant” - meaning they don’t necessarily have enough progesterone to balance out the amount of estrogen they have.  
2. Omega-3 fatty acids
   These are a type of essential fatty acid that is important for maintaining optimal health. They are found in a variety of foods such as fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have a range of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing brain function. In addition to these benefits, omega-3 fatty acids can also benefit women who suffer from dysmenorrhea.
   
   Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce the severity of menstrual cramps and improve overall menstrual health. One way that omega-3 fatty acids benefit dysmenorrhea is by reducing inflammation in the body. Menstrual cramps are caused by the release of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory compounds that cause the uterus to contract. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the production of these inflammatory compounds, which can result in less severe menstrual cramps.
   
   Another way that omega-3 fatty acids benefit dysmenorrhea is by improving blood flow to the pelvic area. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. By improving blood flow to the pelvic area, omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce menstrual pain and discomfort.
3. Herbal treatments for menstrual pain
   Women’s Vitality Formula is our go-to formula for supporting women’s hormonal balance, namely progesterone and estrogen activity. It contains several botanical medicines and nutrients that have traditionally been used for supporting female health and vitality by supporting hormone balance and restoration at healthy levels. Here’s more information on Women’s Vitality Formula and how it works. 
4. B6 complex & Magnesium
   One of the best natural ways to relieve menstrual cramps includes the combined use of vitamin B6 and magnesium. Vitamin B6 may be helpful for women with dysmenorrhea. It plays a critical role in the production and balance of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which play a direct role in the cause of painful periods. Vitamin B6 deficiency can worsen hormone imbalances and worsen PMS symptoms. Supplementation may be helpful for restoring normal hormone balance and promoting normal menstrual cycles. It also helps to pull magnesium into the cells, assisting its function.
   
   Magnesium deficiency can also lead to inflammation, which can play a role in the development of dysmenorrhea. By increasing magnesium levels in the body, it may help to improve overall reproductive health and reduce the risk of dysmenorrhea. In addition, magnesium may also help to reduce menstrual pain and cramping. Magnesium has been shown to have muscle-relaxing effects, which can help to ease menstrual cramps and discomfort in dysmenorrhea.
5. Diindolylmethane is a natural compound derived from plant sources (like broccoli) that can help balance estrogen levels. It helps move excess estrogen out of the body (thereby decreasing estrogen dominance) and lessening symptoms of painful periods.
6. Curcumin is known as one of the most powerful all-around natural anti-inflammatories. Derived from the herb Turmeric, we recommend that anyone dealing with inflammation of any kind use curcumin as part of their regimen. It can be just as effective, but much safer than over the counter drugs like ibuprofen.

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) is a common medical condition that affects a large percentage of women worldwide. The primary symptom of dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain, which can be mild to severe and may interfere with a woman's daily activities. While the exact cause of dysmenorrhea is not entirely understood, several factors are thought to contribute to the condition. Medical lab testing may be appropriate for women with severe or chronic dysmenorrhea. There are several natural remedies for dysmenorrhea that are quite effective in reducing menstrual pain; stop suffering and see how they can work for you!