What is the cause of the pain?
The uterus is a muscle and during your period, your uterus contracts to help shed its lining. These contractions are triggered by hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps. In other words, your uterus goes into a severe spasm.
What can be done?
For the immediate pain, a hot water bottle, wheatie bag or a warm bath helps to relax the muscles and alleviate the pain. Keeping the body warm, especially the legs, feet and lower abdomen further helps to prevent and release the spasm. Magnesium Phosphate D6 (Mag. Phos D6) tissue salt is the answer for many ladies to help stop the spasms. This is a mineral salt in a form that is readily absorbed by the body and can relax muscle spasms rapidly. The key is to use it every five minutes and to sip a little bit of warm water after each dose to effectively clear the spasm. In some cases, only a few doses are needed to bring relief. Unlike a pain killer, it is not masking the symptoms but clearing the cause. You can get Mag Phos D6 from any health shop or pharmacy. It is sold under the brand name Natura. A must for all handbags, school bags and at home because it’s always better to be prepared than to be caught in a spasm. The key is taking it every five minutes until you feel better, then, reduce to three times per day for a day or two as period pains are usually only evident on the first day or two.
How can you help prevent it from happening?
Here is where you wish to see a homeopathic doctor to help determine the cause of your higher levels of prostaglandins. A few blood tests might be required to determine cause factors and then appropriate treatment will be prescribed. Alternatively, using A.Vogel Menstruation Formula three times per day for 90 consecutive days could just be the answer. This natural remedy assists with the treatment of painful, irregular or heavy periods, abnormal menstrual flow, premenstrual tension, and menstrual cycle irregularities. It is also a good idea to supplement with Evening Primrose Oil 500mg for one month. This is specific for the female reproductive area. We do not suggest using it longer than a month as Evening Primrose Oil is family of omega 6 oil and this oil should not be used ongoing. We have more than enough omega 6 in our Western daily diets.
Did you know…
When you live in Europe and cold climate countries, it is known that you need to keep your feet, legs, and abdomen warm at all times to help prevent bladder and menstrual problems. Layering clothes and always dressing for the coldest temperature of the day is the norm BUT not in South Africa. Here we dress for the warmest temperature of the day and leave home when it’s single digit degrees yet dressed for the 20-25 degrees we will have at midday. Hence the body stays cold. Our homes and offices are also designed to keep cold in and warm out. Cold adds to the problem. Stay warm at all times. If you do get cold for whatever reason, ensure you warm yourself as soon as possible. This is another way to lesson the severity of the problem.
How well do these remedies work?
A young mom in her twenties suffered severely from menstrual cramps from a young age. She was recommended Mag Phos D6 tissue salt and it changed her life. Literally within 20-30 minutes of using the product often, the spasm would release, and the pain would clear.
A mother of a teenage girl, aged 17, contacted us asking for help for her daughter. She had to miss two days of school every month due to period pains and heavy periods. She would be in bed and on strong medication to ease the pain. We recommended both A.Vogel Menstruation Formula with Evening Primrose Oil and after one month there was a remarkable improvement. After three months she had a normal, no pain period.
Never underestimate the power of nature and healing in your body.