Causes
Dysmenorrhea is caused by contractions (tightening) in the uterus (which is a muscle) by a chemical called prostaglandin Secondary dysmenorrhea –may be caused due to uterus or other pelvic organ pathology such as uterine fibroids , endometriosis .
Food / nutritional supplements to include in diet
- Vitamins B6 and B1 may help reduce pain, cramps and mood disturbance.
- Vitamin E (natural alpha-tocopherol) may help reduce pain and menstrual blood flow.
- Vitamin D may help regulate your cycle, relieve muscle pains, improve moods.
- In some cases Magnesium rich food may help Relieves menstrual cramps.
- Diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids - May help to relieve menstrual pain, cramping, depression.
Food to avoid
- Diet high in animal fats, salt, sugars and caffeine may reduce the risk of troublesome symptom, reduces fluid retention in some cases, abdominal bloating, breast swelling and pain.
- High caffeine intake can cause irritability, poor sleep and menstrual cramps
- “Junk food” provide suboptimal nutrition and excessive energy, fat, sugar and sodium might increase or aggravate dysmenorrhea.
Apart from diet and medicines , Studies demonstrate that exercise can release ‘happy’ hormones such as serotonin and endorphins, which may explain the benefit.
Note :- Always Check with your doctor / Dietician to ensure there are no risks with you consuming these nutritional supplements or following any particular regimen as some supplements may interact with medication or cause adverse effect on health.
Food / nutritional supplements to include in diet
- Vitamins B6 and B1 may help reduce pain, cramps and mood disturbance.
- Vitamin E (natural alpha-tocopherol) may help reduce pain and menstrual blood flow.
- Vitamin D may help regulate your cycle, relieve muscle pains, improve moods.
- In some cases Magnesium rich food may help Relieves menstrual cramps.
- Diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids - May help to relieve menstrual pain, cramping, depression.
Food to avoid
- Diet high in animal fats, salt, sugars and caffeine may reduce the risk of troublesome symptom, reduces fluid retention in some cases, abdominal bloating, breast swelling and pain.
- High caffeine intake can cause irritability, poor sleep and menstrual cramps
- “Junk food” provide suboptimal nutrition and excessive energy, fat, sugar and sodium might increase or aggravate dysmenorrhea.
Apart from diet and medicines , Studies demonstrate that exercise can release ‘happy’ hormones such as serotonin and endorphins, which may explain the benefit.
Note :- Always Check with your doctor / Dietician to ensure there are no risks with you consuming these nutritional supplements or following any particular regimen as some supplements may interact with medication or cause adverse effect on health.
Few homeopathic medications that can effectively cure this problem are :-
- Pulsatilla : Pulsatilla is suited to sensitive women and can be used to treat both irregular and painful menses.
- Belladonna : Belladonna acts on the nervous system to treat sudden intense abdominal cramps and congested dysmenorrhea.
- Magnesium Phosphoricum : Pain better by heat and application of pressure but aggravated by any type of movement.
- Nux Vomica : is particularly effective in cases of menstruation accompanied by diarrhea. Nux Vomica also helps treat irregular and prolonged menses.
- Cimicifuga: Cimicifuga is very effective when it comes to treating painful muscular cramps. Women who need cimicifuga will find that as the flow increases, so do the cramps. These women also suffer from headaches, severe abdominal pain and shooting pains in the thighs.
- Chamomilla: Along with pain ,It also helps with clotted bleeding and bleeding between periods
Note :- One should always consult your physician before taking any of the above medication for a thorough case history, to fully determine the patient's individual symptoms which helps to choose one's (constitutional ) remedy as no person is similar which helps in prevention or cure of one’s disease/condition.