For many women, menstruation can be a time of physical and emotional discomfort.
An estimated 90% of women experience bothersome symptoms during their period, such as dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding -subject to another article) . Of this percentage, one in three women suffer from moderate to severe symptoms that can significantly interfere with their daily activities and quality of life. While the cause of menstrual symptoms is still debated, it is thought that uterine contractions triggered by the drop in progesterone at the start of a period may be to blame. This disruption in hormone levels can lead to dysmenorrhea symptoms that usually peak when menses are heaviest and can last two to three days. Fortunately, there are treatments available to manage the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia.
At Mister Pharmacist, we understand that having dysmenorrhea can be a debilitating experience for many women. That’s why we are here to help you find the best treatments for managing your condition.
When it comes to treating dysmenorrhea, there are many nondrug treatments that you can use to manage the pain and discomfort associated with it.
Some Non Drug treatment approaches include:
1. Yoga and Meditation: Practicing yoga can be a great way to relax and reduce stress, which can help reduce the pain and cramping that comes with dysmenorrhea. Meditation can also help to alleviate stress and improve your overall wellbeing.
2. Diet: Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help to improve your body’s response to pain. Also, incorporating foods that are high in magnesium, such as dark leafy greens, legumes, and nuts, can help to reduce the intensity of your menstrual cramps.
3. Heat: Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to your lower abdomen or lower back can help to relax the muscles in the area and reduce the painful cramping associated with dysmenorrhea.
4. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help to reduce stress and relieve cramping. Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and cycling are great ways to get your body moving and reduce the intensity of your painful periods.
5. Complementary Therapies: Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and herbal remedies may also be helpful in reducing the pain associated with dysmenorrhea. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can also be of value (think “Dr. Ho” devices popularized in infomercials).
- Don’t smoke, as smoking as been shown to increase dysmenorrhea episodes.
Drug Treatment of dysmenorrhea
Medication plays an important role in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruations.
Medications can be used to reduce the symptoms and severity of dysmenorrhea, which can significantly improve a woman’s overall comfort and well-being.
The two major types of dysmenorrhea are primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.
1) Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by normal hormonal changes and affects women during each menstrual cycle. This type of dysmenorrhea is usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce inflammation, which can reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps. Common NSAIDs used to treat primary dysmenorrhea are ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin.
Acetaminophen is less effective than NSAIDs for relieving dysmenorrhea ; however, it has better gastrointestinal tolerance compared to NSAIDs.
Many OTC menstrual pain preparations (e.g., Midol Complete, Pamprin [U.S.], etc) contain Acetaminophen, yet there is no good evidence that these combination products are effective for dysmenorrhea. Although many of these preparations contain mild diuretics (caffeine, pamabrom), there is very little evidence to support their use. Pyrilamine, an antihistamine, is sometimes included in these preparations for its proposed action on water retention, but its efficacy remains unproven.
2) Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a medical condition, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids. This type of dysmenorrhea is usually treated with hormone therapy or surgery. If a medical condition is the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea, medications may be prescribed to control the underlying condition, such as oral contraceptives or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists).
When medications are used to treat dysmenorrhea, it is important to discuss any possible side effects with your doctor. Some medications may cause nausea, vomiting, or headaches, which can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Other medications, such as GnRH agonists, can cause irregular menstrual cycles or bone density changes.
What is the role of Hormonal Contraceptive In menstrual pain.
Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are a safe and effective option for managing dysmenorrhea for women who also want contraception and have no contraindications. CHCs suppress ovulation and reduce symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea in women. This is especially true if the CHCs are used in a continuous-cycle dosing, such as extended-cycle products, skipping the placebo pills.
CHCs have been shown to be superior in reducing dysmenorrhea than other methods of contraception. This includes other hormonal methods such as the progestin-only pill, and non-hormonal methods such as barrier contraceptives. Furthermore, CHCs have also been compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly used to reduce dysmenorrhea. It has been found that CHCs are more effective than NSAIDs in reducing dysmenorrhea.
For women who cannot take estrogen, progestin-only oral contraceptives are an alternative to CHCs for dysmenorrhea. Treatment effects for dysmenorrhea appear to be comparable to CHCs. In addition, progestin-only contraceptives have been found to be superior in reducing the intensity of dysmenorrhea than other types of nonhormonal contraceptives.
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) has also been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea during contraception studies. DMPA is an injectable contraceptive that is typically administered every three months. This makes it a convenient option for women who do not want to take daily or weekly contraceptives, but still wish to manage their dysmenorrhea.
Dietary Supplements
Many women prefer to use dietary supplements as a natural treatment. However, there is limited evidence to support the use of many of these supplements in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Fenugreek, fish oil, ginger, magnesium, vitamin B1, valerian, zataria, zinc, and other supplements have been used and promoted for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
However, a review of the available evidence suggests that there is insufficient data to recommend these therapies for this purpose.
Fenugreek is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including menstrual cramps. Several studies have found that taking fenugreek extract can reduce dysmenorrheal symptoms, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Fish oil is a popular supplement for many health conditions, including dysmenorrhea. While some animal studies have found that taking fish oil can reduce menstrual pain, there are no human studies that confirm these effects.
Ginger has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, including dysmenorrhea. One study found that taking ginger extract reduced menstrual pain and cramping, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that is important for many bodily functions. Some studies have found that taking magnesium supplements can reduce menstrual pain, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.
Vitamin B1 is an essential vitamin that is important for many bodily functions. One small study found that taking vitamin B1 supplements can reduce menstrual pain, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
Valerian is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including women’s health problems. While some studies have found that taking valerian can reduce menstrual pain, there is limited evidence to support these findings.
Zataria is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including dysmenorrhea. One small study found that taking zataria extract can reduce menstrual pain and cramping, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
Zinc is an essential mineral that is important for many bodily functions. Some animal studies have found that taking zinc supplements can reduce menstrual pain, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.
In conclusion, while many dietary supplements have been used and promoted for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, there is insufficient data to recommend these therapies.
At Mister Pharmacist, we understand that everyone’s experience with dysmenorrhea is different. That’s why it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you. With the right combination of nondrug, supplements and drug treatments, you can manage your symptoms and improve your overall wellbeing.
