MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS
EVERY WOMAN EXPERIENCES MENSTRUATION differently. For some, it's painless and predictable; for others, it's misery. Some women lose very little blood; others lose enough to bring on anaemia, fatigue and dizziness.
Most menstrual difficulties are caused by real physical conditions, not by one's imagination or mental illness, as had been believed at one time. Endometriosis, uterine infection, fibroid cysts, scar tissue or a troublesome intrauterine device may be involved. Anatomical problems, such as a tilted uterus, are occasionally at fault. Stress and emotional upsets, especially when intense and prolonged, can also affect menstrual symptoms.
As if the pain and inconvenience
of a difficult period weren't enough, some women also experience premenstrual
tension, widely known as PMT, and sometimes as PMS - premenstrual syndrome.
This group of symptoms begins three to seven days before menstruation and
ranges from mere discomfort and fatigue to debilitating cramps and depression.
Various medical texts identify up to 150 symptoms.
About a third of all women have visited their doctors to discuss symptoms
of PMT. To make matters worse, the immune system's ability to respond also
drops just before the monthly cycle. This may lead to increased susceptibility
to colds, flu, allergies, herpes outbreaks and flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis.
A few women develop other, less common menstrual difficulties. Those who haven't begun menstruating despite passing through puberty, or who begin menstruating but stop, have amenorrhoea. Those who experience scanty menstrual flow or who skip periods for reasons other than pregnancy have oligomenorrhoea. In addition, some women have irregular periods - which can make planning a pregnancy difficult. Others bleed on schedule, but so heavily that they experience light-headedness, exhaustion and anaemia.
Because many of these menstrual difficulties can be brought on by another condition - endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or nutritional imbalances, to name only a few - it's important to consult a doctor about any dramatic changes in what's customary for you or about factors related to your period that make life difficult. Work with your doctor to examine all your treatment options, including changes in your diet, nutritional supplements and other natural remedies. Drugs can work wonders, but be sure you understand their side effects and repercussions for your fertility and health.
EASY CURES FOR MENSTRUAL DIFFICULTIES
Here are some easy, non-invasive ways to ease menstrual woes.
* Get some sunlight. Some studies suggest that sunlight may help regulate
the menstrual cycle. Plus, sunlight produces vitamin D in the body.
* Stay away from fried foods. Potato crisps, corn chips, biscuits, baked
foods and anything that contains hydrogenated oils, including margarine,
may increase menstrual discomfort.
* Check your eating and exercise habits. If excessive exercise, low body
fat or malnutrition is the likely cause of missed periods, increase your
caloric intake and decrease the exercise.
* Reduce your sugar intake. To satisfy your sweet tooth, turn to fresh whole
fruit in season, carob, nuts and dried fruit.
* Eat several small meals per day. This strategy supports the immune system
and reduces food cravings and emotional swings.
* Avoid caffeine. Reduce your intake of coffee, chocolate and tea before
and during menstruation.
* Adjust your nutrition. Before your period, increase whole grains in your
diet to help stabilise moodiness. Then, once your period starts, eat fewer
whole grains. When it ends, consume more protein.
* Try ginger tea. Ginger tea can relieve nausea and abdominal discomfort
(grate 1 to 3 teaspoons of fresh root ginger; add to 1/4 , litre of hot water
and steep for 10 to 15 minutes; strain). Drink 1 to 3 cups per day.
* Get regular aerobic exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, the body's
natural pain relievers. Many women with menstrual pain or premenstrual symptoms
also benefit from yoga or meditation.
DRUG TREATMENT
Analgesics
Aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol. Function: reduce pain and suppress prostaglandins,
the hormones that cause the uterine lining to thicken. Aspirin side effects:
possible stomach and gastrointestinal bleeding. Ibuprofen side effects: can
damage the liver in large doses. Paracetamol side effects: can damage the
liver if recommended dosage is exceeded or you generally consume three or
more alcoholic beverages per day.
Gonadotrophin inhibitors
Danazol (Danol). Function: suppresses some hormones during the middle of
the menstrual cycle to relieve heavy periods. Side effects: weight gain,
swelling, acne, hot flushes, increased hair growth and other male secondary
sex characteristics.
Antidepressants
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (Prozac, Faverin, others). Function:
slow the uptake and breakdown of the mood-controlling brain chemical, serotonin,
thereby diminishing mood swings. Side effects: headache, nausea, insomnia,
nervousness.
Tranquillizers
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium). Function: reduce anxiety and promote sleep.
Side effects: headache, nausea, tinnitus, insomnia, nervousness; can be habit-forming.
Other Drugs
Buspirone (Buspar). Function: relieves anxiety and difficulty in concentrating.
Side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea.
Bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel). Function: acts on the pituitary gland to suppress excessive levels of the hormone prolactin and produce regular menstruation. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, appetite loss.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Agnus Castus (Vitex agnus-castus)
An extract of agnus castus berries can ease fluid retention, mood swings,
food cravings, premenstrual acne, constipation and outbreaks of herpes. Scientists
think that it works by regulating the pituitary gland, which sends signals
to other glands, instructing them how much of each hormone to make. Typical
dosage: 2 to 3 dropperfuls of tincture in water two times per day between
meals; or 3 capsules two times per day. Caution: do not use if taking oral
contraceptives, because agnus castus may lessen their effectiveness. Do not
use if you are pregnant.
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Sometimes recommended during menopause, black cohosh has the ability to relieve
pain, cramps and uterine swelling; it is often blended with agnus castus
in commercial formulas for menstrual difficulties. It must be taken over
a period of time to be effective. Typical dosage: 3 to 4 dropperfuls of
the tincture two times per day. Caution: for some women, this herb brings
on heavy menstrual bleeding.
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) and Black Haw
(V. prunifolium)
Each of these safe, time-tested remedies works to relax the uterine muscle.
Guelder rose has long been used as an antispasmodic. If your cramps come
with scanty bleeding, anxiety and lower back pain, try black haw. Combine
either herb with valerian or kava-kava to increase its effects. Typical dosage:
3 to 5 dropperfuls of tincture three to five times per day; or 2 to 3 cups
of tea per day (simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried bark in 1/4 litre of water
for 10 minutes). If you want to relieve the anxiety as well as the cramps,
try also taking kava-kava in a dosage of six 400- to 500-milligram capsules
in three divided doses per day or 15 to 30 drops of tincture three times
per day. If you prefer valerian, take six 425-milligram capsules of the powdered
root in three divided doses per day; or 30 to 90 drops of valerian root tincture
three times per day.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Because ginkgo leaf extracts improve brain function and circulation, they
may help alleviate any mental
fuzziness you feel during your period. Improved circulation also means improved
removal of fluids, so ginkgo can help relieve breast tenderness. Ginkgo must
be used for six to eight weeks before it has
an effect. Typical dosage: 3 capsules containing at least 40 milligrams of
extract standardised to flavone glycosides or ginkgolides per day.
Feverfew
(Chrysanthemum parthenium)
Feverfew diminishes migraines and the nausea that comes with them. A compound
called parthenolide seems to be responsible for its healing effects. Typical
dosage: up to three 300- to 400-milligram capsules per day; or two average-sized
fresh leaves per day; or 15 to 30 drops of tincture per day. Caution: avoid
if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
This herb calms mild anxiety and promotes relaxation and refreshing sleep.
Typical dosage: drink 1 cup of tea at night to promote restful sleep (steep
I to 2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb in ''/, litre of freshly boiled water
for 10 minutes); or take 35 to 40 drops of the tincture at night.
Caution: avoid if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Hops (Humulus
lupulus)
The strobiles, or flowers, of the hops plant promote sleep, calm heart palpitations
and help women who have low oestrogen levels. Typical dosage: 1 cup of tea
before bedtime (steep 1 heaped teaspoon of whole dried hops in 1/4 litre
of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes); or 10 to 40 drops of tincture three times
per day. Caution: women who have had oestrogen-driven breast cancer may wish
to avoid this herb.
St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
The compounds in this flower relieve mild-to-moderate depression, including
that caused by monthly hormonal fluctuations. Typical dosage: 7 dropperfuls
of tincture per day, divided into two doses; or 300 milligrams of capsules
standardised to 0.3 percent hypericin, three times per day. Do not use
with precribed antidepressants or L-dopa.
Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum)
This calming herb eases anxiety almost instantly. It also has painrelieving
effects comparable to aspirin. Because of this, you might want to begin taking
kava-kava a few days before your period to ease PMT, then continue taking
it for the first few days of menstruation to alleviate cramps. Typical dosage:
3 to 4 dropperfuls of tincture two to three times per day. Caution: do not
use if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Valerian (Valerian officinalis)
With its reliable overall relaxing effect, this herb can relieve the nervousness,
tension and sleeplessness that often accompany cramps.
If you want to take the edge off your nerves, use a lower dose; if you want
to conquer insomnia, use more. Typical dosage: 1 to 2 dropperfuls of tincture
per day; or one to five 500-milligram capsules per day.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow has long been used to treat menstrual pain, heavy periods and excessive
bleeding before menopause. In Germany, it's approved as a treatment for
menstrual cramps. Typical dosage: 20 to 40 drops of tincture two to three
times per day; or 1 to 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 teaspoon of dried
flowers in a litre of hot water for 10 minutes). Caution: do not use if
you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
The leaves of this plant are an important remedy for most conditions involving
the uterus. They can help relieve pain and excessive bleeding. Typical
dosage: 1 to 2 cups of tea up to three times per day (steep 1 teaspoon
of dried leaves in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes). Caution:
consult a qualified practitioner to use raspberry if you are pregnant.
Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
This herb is known in traditional Chinese medicine as a blood builder, meaning
it can help boost the circulatory system and overall metabolism. It may
be helpful to women seeking to regain their natural menstrual cycles. It
is particularly effective when combined with a herbal hormone regulator
such as agnus castus, described earlier. Typical dosage: 1 to 2 dropperfuls
of tincture two times per day; or 1 cup of tea two or three times per day
(simmer 2 teaspoons of dried root in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 minutes).
Caution: do not take if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
PM
TEA
This calming tea helps ease premenstrual symptoms.
1 teaspoon agnus castus berries
1 teaspoon wild yam root
1/2 teaspoon burdock root
1/2 teaspoon dandelion root
1/2 teaspoon feverfew leaf
1 teaspoon orange peel, liquorice root or stevia (optional)
900 millilitres water
Combine the herbs and water. Bring to the boil, then turn off the heat and
let steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs. Drink at least 2
cups daily as needed.
CRAMP-RELIEVING TEA
This tea helps ease one of the most common menstrual symptoms.
1 teaspoon dried guelder rose
1/2 teaspoon dried motherwort herb
1/2 teaspoon dried camomile flowers
1/2
teaspoon dried wild yam root
1/2 teaspoon dried California poppy, whole plant or root
1/2 teaspoon dried
valerian root
1/2 teaspoon dried skullcap herb
Liquorice or stevia, to taste
900 millilitres water
Place the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat
and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and steep for 20 minutes.
Strain and discard the herbs. Drink 1 cup as often as needed.
TOO-HEAVY PERIODS TINCTURE
Blend this tincture and keep it on hand for times when your menstrual flow
is uncomfortably heavy.
1 teaspoon shepherd's purse tincture
1 teaspoon yarrow tincture
1/2 teaspoon raspberry leaf tincture
1/2 teaspoon agnus castus tincture
Combine all of the ingredients in a dark glass jar with a tight seal. Take
three dropperfuls every 15 to 30 minutes for very heavy bleeding or two dropperfuls
every hour for moderately heavy bleeding. (Try to purchase shepherd's purse
tincture made from the fresh herb; it loses some of its strength when dried.)
PERIOD-REGULATING EXTRACT
This formula helps regulate hormones and improve mood. Use it to normalise
periods and ease premenstrual syndrome.
1 1/4 teaspoons agnus castus tincture 3/ teaspoon black cohosh tincture
1/2 teaspoon motherwort tincture
1 teaspoon boldo or burdock root tincture
1 teaspoon St John's wort tincture
1/2 teaspoon California poppy tincture
Tincture of stevia or liquorice root to sweeten (optional)
Blend the tinctures together. Take 1 teaspoon morning and evening, at least
30 minutes before or 30 minutes after meals. Take for at least four months.
