Dysmenorrhoea is the medical term for painful periods. Up to 90% of UK women suffer!
Symptoms include: severe cramping pain in lower abdominal area/lower back and possibly radiating down thighs, nausea with the pain, fatigue.
One of my teenage clients described it as ‘like a knife twisting in my side.’
The cause is the womb muscles contracting to shed the rich lining of the womb which is now redundant as the woman is not pregnant. Conventional treatments are NSAID based painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These work on the COX-2 inhibitor pathway but can cause heavier bleeding. The combination of prescribed mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid is also common. The tranexamic acid does help to lessen the bleeding somewhat.
My menstrual cramp solution is side effect free, can be discreetly carried in a pocket or bag and can be added to a water bottle if dosing at school is an issue.
Supplements to help painful periods: Omega 3, Floradix, natural beta carotene, zinc, selenium, transdermal magnesium, Vit B complex, Vit C, Vit D and Vit E.
My top homeopathic remedies here are: Mag phos, Coloc and Cimic.
PMT or PMS stands for Pre-menstrual tension or syndrome. 75% of all women suffer to some extent in the days leading up to menstruation. I think this number is realistically much higher!
Symptoms include: irritability, low mood, feeling tearful, crying or bursting into tears for no reason, headaches, feeling bloated, spotty skin, sore tender breasts, and greasy hair.
The cause is the rapid decline of oestrogen after the ovulation and the steady rise of progesterone which thickens the lining of the womb in preparation for a possible pregnancy. Conventional treatments are the contraceptive pill or antidepressants. Homeopathy works gently with the body without resorting to synthetic hormones and has done wonders for my many female clients.
Supplements which may help with PMT: Evening primose oil or Starflower oil, chromium if you are craving sugar, Vit B6 and Vit E.
My top homeopathic remedies here are: Folliculinum, Sepia and Lach.
PID is pelvic inflammatory disease. It affects 220,000 women in the UK every year. It is an infection which affects the womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Symptoms include: pelvic or lower abdominal pain, deep pelvic pain during sex, fever, vomiting, rectal pain, and heavy offensive yellow/green vaginal discharge.
The cause of PID is an STI like chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Conventional treatment is with a course of antibiotics. A high fibre diet can help here.
My top homeopathic remedies here are: Apis, Cantharis and Pulsatilla.
If you have any of these conditions and would like a more holistic or natural approach do please contact me.
