A menstrual cycle that runs smoothly and does not cause you any problems is a relief, but irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome and severe menstrual cramps can interrupt your life. Your physician may recommend medications to help you avoid symptoms associated with your menstrual cycle, but there are other ways of treating your condition. There are a variety of supplements that may help, but be sure to consult your physician before adding them to your diet.
Feverfew
An irregular menstrual cycle can prove irritating and inconvenient. Consider adding feverfew supplements into your daily diet to help regulate it. Long used as a folk remedy for treating menstrual problems, headaches and fevers, this supplement may stimulate menstruation, according to the Aetna InteliHealth website. No scientific research confirms this usage, however. The website notes that because taking this supplement can cause you to menstruate, you should avoid taking it if you become pregnant -- it may result in miscarriage. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking a dosage of 100 to 300 mg of feverfew supplements up to four times daily for migraine headaches, a possible symptom of premenstrual syndrome, but it does not list a dosage for regulating menstrual cycles.
Manganese
Experiencing premenstrual syndrome may cause mild to severe pain as well as mood swings. You may be able to effectively treat premenstrual syndrome --- symptoms, including pain, that occur one to two weeks before your period during your menstrual cycle --- by taking manganese supplements. Research published in a 2000 edition of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that women who took 5.6 mg of manganese on a daily basis for a period of 39 days had less pain and fewer mood swings associated with premenstrual syndrome. More research is needed to determine the true role manganese plays in regulating or eliminating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, however. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that you can safely take 1.8 mg of manganese in supplement form per day under doctor supervision.
Fish Oil
Severe pain during your menstrual cycle, a condition known as dysmenorrhea, results from hormones in your body causing your uterus to contract in an atypical manner. Including fish oil supplements in your daily diet might help alleviate dysmenorrhea symptoms, according to the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils can impact hormones that cause uterine contractions. Several studies, including research published in the 2001 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, indicate that omega-3 fatty acids can provide dysmenorrhea relief. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that you should take 6 g of fish oil supplements on a daily basis to help improve severe pain during your menstrual cycle.
References
- PubMed: Herbal and Dietary Therapies for Primary and Secondary Dysmenorrhea
- Journal of the American College of Nutrition: The Potential for Dietary Supplements to Reduce Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms
- Aetna InteliHealth: Feverfew
- Albert Einstein Healthcare Network: Dysmenorrhea
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Manganese
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Feverfew
