What’s your period pain remedy?

The painters are in. On the rag. The red tide. The wounded clam. Up on blocks. Too wet to plow. Closed for business. The red flag. Dead week. The red-headed cousin is visiting. Out of commission.

Whatever you want to call being on your period, suffering with period pain is no joke.

If you’re one of the many women that suffer with painful period cramps, then you might like to know your period pain remedy so you can find some natural relief without resorting to painkillers.

Homeopathy can provide effective relief from period pain without putting stress on the liver like conventional painkillers. Women with other hormonal symptoms such as irregular periods or women who experience intense pain every month should see a qualified homeopath for a more in-depth treatment.

Symptoms

The medical term for menstrual pain is primary dysmenorrhea. Pain usually starts a day or two before menstrual flow, and may continue through the first 2 days of the period. Often, pain gets better as a woman gets older, or after she has a child. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by underlying conditions, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Obviously pain is the overriding symptom in dysmenorrhoea, but many women will experience other symptoms, including:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea/constipation
• fainting
• light-headedness
• feeling dizzy
• headaches
• exhaustion and lethargy

Some women find that changing their diets makes cramps less severe. Mind-body techniques such as meditation and exercises such as yoga and tai chi can also help relieve pain.

Nutrition

• Eat foods that are rich in calcium. They include beans, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale.
• Eat foods that are high in antioxidants, including fruits such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes, and vegetables such as squash and bell pepper.
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Drink 6 – 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
• Take regular exercise.

Supplements

• A good quality multivitamin and mineral would make sure that you are getting a ‘little bit of everything’. Then you can add in extra nutrients in slightly higher amounts which are known to be helpful for painful periods.

• Vitamin C + Bioflavonoids are helpful with period pain because they help to relax smooth muscle and reduce inflammation.

• Omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids. Research has shown that women with low intakes of Omega 3 fatty acids, have more painful periods than women who have a good intake. A study found this link also discovered that the extent of the pain was connected to the ratio or balance of the Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats. The women with the worst period pains had a much lower level of Omega 3 fats in their diet in relation to Omega 6 fats.

• Magnesium acts as a muscle relaxant and it has been shown to have a beneficial effect on painful periods and lower back pain so it is worth taking as a supplement. Along with vitamin B6, magnesium is required by your body to help convert the essential fats into beneficial prostaglandins. Try always to take them together.

• Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B6 has been shown to significantly reduce the intensity and duration of period pains.

Homeopathy

For occasional or moderate period pains, the following homeopathic remedies are commonly indicated:

Belladonna: Your symptoms are very intense and come and go suddenly, accompanied by a feeling of heat. The menstrual flow is bright red, profuse, and may have begun too early. Pain and cramping are worse from jarring and from touch, yet applying steady pressure often brings relief. Walking or bending over can make things worse, and sitting may be the most tolerable position. You may feel restless and flushed, with pulsing or pounding sensations, your eyes may feel sensitive to light.

Magnesium Phosphoricum: Cramping pains that are relieved by pressure or warmth.

Sepia: This remedy is ideal for painful, late, or suppressed menstruation, sometimes with a feeling that the pelvic floor is weak or as if the uterus is sagging. You may feel irritable, exhausted and indifferent to your partner or family, just wanting to be left alone. Warmth and exercise often help and restore some energy.

Pulsatilla: This remedy is ideal for you if you have cramping pain with a bearing-down feeling, either with a scanty flow or thick, dark, clotted discharge. Either can occur as symptoms that are changeable often point to Pulsatilla. Your mood might be changeable, a desire for attention and sympathy, along with a sensitive (sometimes tearful) emotional state is typical. So, if you feel very weepy and crave affection when you’re hormonal then think of Pulsatilla! You probably won’t feel thirsty for water at all and generally feel worse in a warm room.

Potency and Repetition: Give a 30C potency (strength) of the indicated homeopathic remedy up to every 4 hours. If there is no relief after 6-8 hours, try a different remedy.

If the remedy choice isn’t clear, try Magnesium Phosphoricum 6X Homeopathic Cell Salts. This is a great remedy for all types of cramping pains.

Until next time, have a happy healthy week!

Claire Zarb LCPH
t: +44 (0)7582 269569
e: claire@clairezarb.com
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