If you're a woman of childbearing years, you're no stranger to menstrual cramps. As the uterus contracts to shed its lining, a spasm-like pain can radiate along the lower abdomen. But like many symptoms of menstruation, cramping sensations manifest differently in everyone. Many women experience a dull discomfort, while others suffer an almost throbbing pain. Most of the time, over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can bring relief. Some women, however, want to use more natural approaches to treat menstrual cramping, and they may try cayenne to relieve the discomfort. Talk to your doctor before using this or any other supplement to treat menstrual cramps.
Cayenne
Cayenne isn't typically used to treat menstrual cramps. Neither the University of Maryland Medical Center nor the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center lists cayenne as a treatment for menstrual pain. Alternative medicine practitioners may recommend its use, but any benefit is anecdotal at best. Even though capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, is a pain reliever, no evidence exists that it can relieve symptoms associated with menstruation.
Capsaicin
The pain-relieving effects of capsaicin --- or cayenne, for that matter --- are of most benefit on the surface of the skin. It's thought to reduce substance P, a neuropeptide that transmits pain signals to the brain. The pain associated with menstrual cramps, however, is a result of prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that trigger uterine contractions. The more prostaglandins in the body, the more intense the cramping becomes. Since capsaicin doesn't affect prostaglandins, it isn't likely to improve your discomfort.
Recommendation
Instead of relying on cayenne or capsaicin to relieve menstrual cramps, turn to other alternative or natural methods to improve the pain. According to MayoClinic.com, vitamin B6 and E as well as thiamine, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids can sometimes reduce menstrual cramps. You may also see an improvement by simply soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad. In fact, both of these self-care measures are often just as effective as pain relievers.
Warning
Like any herbal supplement, cayenne isn't without potential side effects. Creams can cause itching along application sites, whereas capsules can cause stomach irritation, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. When taken orally, too much capsaicin can damage the kidneys and liver, so talk to your doctor before using any form of cayenne to treat menstrual cramps. This herb is also known to adversely interact with ACE inhibitors, acid reducers, aspirin and blood thinners. Avoid taking cayenne supplements while on these medications.
