Painful menstrual periods plague many females, often starting a couple of days before their period and gradually easing after the first day or two of their period. Medically known as dysmenorrhea, painful periods, or cramps, may ease with age. Some women find relief in natural remedies that include diet and lifestyle changes as well as herbal treatments. Consult a doctor before using herbs or supplements to treat menstrual pain.
History
For hundreds of years, women have treated period pain with herbs. Popular herbs for easing cramps in the 1800s included motherwort, cramp bark, false unicorn root and red raspberry leaf. Some women found relief in a tincture of oats. Today these herbs are still in use, and modern herbalists may also suggest valerian, skullcap, chamomile, wild yam, evening primrose, black cohosh, chaste berry and California poppy to relax the uterus and ease cramping.
Types
Besides herbs, dietary changes that reduce salt may also decrease water retention and ease cramping. Applying a heating pad to the abdomen or relaxing in a hot bath may also relieve cramps. Other natural treatments for menstrual discomfort include acupuncture, chiropractic, weight loss, homeopathic remedies and nutritional supplements.
Theories
Regular exercise may lessen the intensity of cramps, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Preliminary studies indicate that women who exercise daily may experience a reduction in period pain, although NCBI recommends additional testing to confirm the benefits. Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Considerations
A woman's uterus contracts during her menstrual period, resulting in uterine cramps and abdominal pain. While natural remedies may ease the pain of mild cramps, severe cramping may be the result of an underlying disorder, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis or an infection from a pelvic inflammatory disease, according to MayoClinic.com.
Warning
The Food and Drug Administration does not regularly test and regulate the sale of herbal remedies, but they may contain medicinal ingredients. Some herbs may result in undesirable side effects, so use them to treat period pain only under a doctor's supervision.
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