Period pain
Menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea…whatever you call it, it can be so debilitating for so many that it interferes with everyday life.
When I was in my teens I used to get excruciating period pain. The cramps were so painful that I couldn’t move and it was made worse at school as I felt I had to hide it.
Recently I experienced dysmenorrhea again for the first time in many years, as bad as it was in my teens! I was not prepared for how bad it was.
I have had some mild cramping here and there but nothing like this. Now that I am in my 40’s and in peri-menopause I am thinking my changing hormones are playing a part here.
I first went to see a Homeopath in my early 20’s for hormone balancing after being on the pill. The pill had negatively impacted my emotions, mood, my gut and hormones. I have been using Homeopathy ever since this time as I found great relief from the symptoms I was experiencing.
I have been lucky that I have not had proper period pain for around 20 years now i.e. since using Homeopathy!
So I was inspired to write this blog as I wish I had known about homeopathy when I was a teenager to help me with the awful menstrual cramps I experienced. My hope is that this blog will help others out there and ease any painful cramping they may be going through.
These are remedies to help in acute situations for period pain. You may find you need deeper constitutional, root cause treatment in which case feel free to get in contact for a consultation.
Please note that there are hundreds of homeopathic remedies that could help with period pain, I have included the top five below.
Top 5 Homeopathic remedies for period pain.
Pulsatilla
This is a great remedy for younger girls or teens that experience period pain. Or for women who have had period pain since puberty.
They may have distended abdomen and a bearing down pain which is worse for lying down. They often feel chilly & their menstrual flow can change from light to heavy or clotted.
Their symptoms and mood will be changeable, they are often weepy, clingy and crave sympathy. They can be tearful before their menses.
They will feel better for fresh air, affection, gentle motion, rubbing or massaging the uterus. Rich or fatty foods can aggravate their symptoms.
Sepia
This is typically a good remedy for women going through hormonal shifts e.g. perimenopause, after coming off hormonal birth control, puberty and motherhood.
Bearing down sensations are felt in the pelvic region. It feels like uterus is prolapsed and the person feels better for crossing their legs. Pain can be burning, spasmodic or violent. Feels as though pain is shooting up from vagina up to cervix. Left side sometimes worse and can be often felt in the thighs. The person can feel faint and cold.
Symptoms feel better from exercise, movement, a warm bed and a warm application to affected area.
The woman needing Sepia wants to be left alone by her husband and children as they feel so worn out by their duties and life.
Chamomilla
This is a remedy we usually think of for babies who are irritable from teething. But it can be a great remedy for period pain also.
Pain can be felt in the uterus, back and thighs and can be so intolerable that it leads to crying and screaming. Pains can feel like labour pains.
Due to the intensity of the sensations felt the woman needing this remedy may feel really angry.
Period pain can be eased with hot or cold applications and moving around. Coffee can exacerbate symptoms.
Mag phos
This remedy is made from magnesium phosphate so it makes sense that it is good for cramping and neuralgic pains as magnesium has a relaxant effect on the body.
Period pains are spasmodic and can radiate to the thighs & legs neuralgic type pain.
Pains are eased by the flow of the period, pressure, warm applications and bending. Period pain tends to be worse at night, lying on the right and cold air.
Sabina
Women needing this remedy can often feel sad, despondent and anxious.
The period pain associated with this remedy can be located from the base of the spine to pubic bone and be intense in nature. It will be eased by cold applications
The person may have fibroids and will have a very heavy flow with clotting.
The symptoms are better from cold, lying flat or being in the cool air.
They will be worse from any kind of motion, the heat of the bed, touch and pressure.
Remedy potency selection
Homeopathy is individualised to your unique symptoms so look at the remedy indications above and see which best suits you. I would use a 30c potency which can be picked up from the Homeopathic pharmacies Ainsworths or Helios or from some health food stores or online retailers.
Homeopathy is safe for all ages and the remedies are natural and non toxic.
Homeobotanicals
I also made up a blend of Homeobotanical herbs based on herbs to support my endocrine system, these herbal drops last around 6 weeks and my next period after the one I mention above I had no pain whatsoever so I could really see and feel the benefits of the Homeopathy and Homeobotanical herbs.
Why does period pain happen?
Every month the body is shedding the endometrial lining if pregnancy has not occurred. In essence this is an inflammatory (but normal) bodily response and some experience the contraction of the uterine lining more intensely than others. Those with endometriosis or uterine fibroids will be pre disposed to more intense period pain.
Root cause treatment
In my practice with Homeopathy I look at the persons overall mental, emotional & physical wellbeing plus their full medical history. There can sometimes be a link between unhealed trauma and menstrual issues too. It is important to treat the root cause to fully deal with the period pain.
Nutrients that help ease period pain
Eating foods rich in:
Omega 3 fatty acids such as – oily fish, flaxseeds and eggs.Magnesium such as – Nuts and seeds, spinach, bananas and a good magnesium supplement
Zinc such as – Shellfish, oysters, meat, lentils & pumpkin seeds. Plus a good zinc supplement.
Other self help measures
Rest is so helpful and totally underrated!
Use a heat pad or hot water bottle on the affected area.
Gentle exercise.
Meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
A hot bath to relax in
Getting out in nature
I really hope that some of these remedy suggestions help you. If you would like deeper constitutional Homeopathic treatment then feel free to reach out.
Helen x