Definition of Dysmenorrhea:
Difficult or painful menstruation that interferes with daily activities. It may involve different types of pain: sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting. This pain can be felt in the lower abdomen, umbilical region, above the pubic region, or the right or left abdomen possibly radiating to the thighs or lower back. It may occur during, or a few days before, menstruation, and it usually ceases after menstruation. Dysmenorrhea may be accompanied by excessively heavy blood loss (menorrhagia) and by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness, disorientation, hypersensitivity to sound, light, smell and touch, fainting, and fatigue.
Also: Menstrual Cramps, Menstrual Pain
Topics Related to Dysmenorrhea
American Skullcap
...as a treatment
“...Skullcap is often prescribed on its own or mixed with other sedative herbs, to treat insomnia and skullcap is also given to relieve menstrual pain. Research into skullcap is sorely needed and may reveal more uses for this valuable herb...”
Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance
...as a treatment
“...pressure), nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swallowing pain, itching, hives / urticaria, other allergic reactions, blood sugar control problems (e.g. hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia), menstrual cramps and other menstrual problems or changes, impotency and sexual problems, food cravings, weight gain, hair loss / baldness or thinning of hair, burning urination & other urination...”
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More topics Related to Dysmenorrhea
Biofeedback
...as a treatment
“...Biofeedback may also be useful for the following health problems ... dysmenorrhea...”
Black Cohosh
...as a treatment
“...Black Cohosh has been used for a range of female conditions such as premenstrual discomfort, dysmenorrhea and uterine spasms...”
Chaparral
...as a treatment
“...Chaparral was used by Native American populations for indications including chicken pox (varicella), colds, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, pain, rheumatic diseases, skin disorders, snake bites, and as an emetic...”
Colic
...related topic
“Cramping or spasms of a smooth muscle tube, such as the uterus (menstrual cramps) the ureters (passing kidney stones) or the stomach (stomach ache).”
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement
...the condition
“...Eczema; Asthma; Hay fever; Hives; Stiff or painful joints; Fatty foods craving; EFA deficiency causes various issues specific to women: Premenstrual breast pain/tenderness; Premenstrual syndrome; Menstrual cramps; Abnormal menstrual bleeding; Vaginal dryness; Laboratory tests such as the Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Analysis or the Fatty Acid Profile will help confirm EFA deficiency...”
Fish Oils
...as a treatment
“...Various essential fatty acids, including fish oil, flaxseed oil, and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), are widely recommended for dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), and two studies suggest that fish oil may indeed be effective...”
Ginger Root
...as a treatment
“...For women: It may be of use in ovarian and menstrual pain. Cholesterol: Studies have suggested that ginger may be useful in keeping cholesterol levels under control, although the mechanism for this is not yet understood...”
GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid)
...as a treatment
“...GLA may also help with: Heart disease, lupus, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, eczema, fingernail problems, endometriosis, menstrual cramps, and sunburn...”
Gravel Root
...as a treatment
“...gravel, hematuria, disease of the kidney and bladder from an excess of uric acid, chronic endometriosis, leukorrhea, chronic uterine disease, threatened abortion, ovarian and uterine atony, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, constant desire to urinate, intermittent fever and severe bone pains...”
Hydrotherapy
...as a treatment
“...Constitutional Hydrotherapy is recommended for ... Menstrual cramps...”
Indian Long Pepper
...as a treatment
“...Indian long pepper is used for the following ... menstrual cramps...”
Insomnia
...recommendation Kava
“...Kava has been proven to be especially effective in treating refractory sleep disorders, including those involving headaches, menstrual cramps, and gastrointestinal disorders...”
Lavender Oil
...as a treatment
“...Other unproven uses of lavender oil include: Insomnia, depression, menstrual pain, migraine headaches, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, toothache, ear infections, acne, eczema, hypertension, head lice, loss of appetite.”
Low Back Pain
...the condition
“...In women, gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, menstrual cramps, fibroid tumors, and pregnancy are sometimes the cause...”
Magnesium
...as a treatment
“...Magnesium supplements have been found useful for: Angina, Asthma, Gall Stones, Menstrual cramps, High blood pressure, Hyperactivity, Glucose intolerance – diabetes and hypoglycemia, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Prevention of hearing loss, Kidney stones, Leg cramps, Migraine...”
Marapuama
...as a treatment
“...It is also being increasingly used to treat menstrual cramps, PMS, depression, dysentery, and central nervous system disorders...”
Noni
...as a treatment
“...The green fruit, leaves and the root/rhizome have traditionally been used to treat menstrual cramps and irregularities, among other symptoms, while the root has also been used to treat urinary difficulties...”
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More topics Related to Dysmenorrhea
Ovarian Cysts
...our question about Painful menstrual cramps
“A history of painful menstrual cramps can indicate hormonal problems or imbalances which can increase the risk of ovarian cysts.”
Painful Menstruation (Dysmenorrhea)
...the condition
“Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods or menstrual cramps...”
...relationship to EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement
“In a double-blind placebo-controlled study among a group of girls suffering from dysmenorrhea, it was found that the symptoms could be significantly reduced by dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids...”
...relationship to Endometriosis
“Endometriosis is the most common cause of menstrual cramps.”
...relationship to Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency
“Dysmenorrhea caused by ovarian dysfunction may disappear when low doses of cortisol are used to improve adrenal influence on ovarian function...”
...recommendation Inositol Hexaniacinate
“There is evidence that niacin may be beneficial for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Hudgins reported on a group of 80 women suffering from painful menstrual cramps who were supplemented with 100mg niacin twice daily, beginning 7 to 10 days before the onset of menses and...”
...recommendation Vitamin E
“...IU per day) from 2 days before menstrual onset through the third day of bleeding, for two consecutive menstrual cycles, reduced pain in a placebo-controlled trial of 100 young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Another study used vitamin E successfully at a dosage of 75-400 IU tid...”
...recommendation Marijuana
“Marijuana is being used to treat menstrual cramps...”
...recommendation Magnesium
“Menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression, and water retention have been lessened with magnesium, usually given along with calcium and often with vitamin B6...”
Parsley
...as a treatment
“...Parsley oil also was used to regulate menstrual flow in the treatment of amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, and is purported to be an abortifacient...”
Premenstrual Syndrome
...the condition
“...There are several conditions associated with PMS, including ... Dysmenorrhea...”
...recommendation Magnesium
“Menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression and water retention have been lessened by taking supplemental magnesium, usually given along with calcium and often with vitamin B6...”
Premenstrual Syndrome PMS D (Depression)
...recommendation Magnesium
“...Menstrual cramps, irritability, fatigue, depression and water retention have been lessened with magnesium, usually given along with calcium and often with vitamin B6...”
Prostaglandin
...related topic
“...such as vasodilation, vasoconstriction, stimulation of the smooth muscles of the bronchus or intestine, uterine stimulation; also involved in pain, inflammation, fever, allergic diarrhea, and dysmenorrhea. A potent hormone – similar in structure to an unsaturated fatty acid – that acts in extremely low concentrations on local target organs; first isolated from the prostate.”
Somatoform Disorder
...the condition
“...or difficult urination; Pain or problems during sexual intercourse; Ejaculatory dysfunction; Erectile dysfunction; Lack of interest in sex; Irregular periods; Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia); Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea); The prerequisites for diagnosing somatoform disorder are...”
Squawvine
...as a treatment
“...It is reputed to promote an easy labor by aiding contractions of the womb during childbirth and is also recommended for dysmenorrhea and other painful conditions of the female reproductive tract...”
Valerian Root
...as a treatment
“...It can also help relieve headaches, menstrual cramps and constipation or indigestion from nervous tension...”
White Peony Root
...as a treatment
“...Uses Include ... Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis due to blood deficiency...”
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Last updated: May 25, 2023