Cramps be gone!

Do you get bad period pain? And suffer monthly with it?

Can I please tell you, that this is a COMMON problem, but I want you ladies to know that it’s not NORMAL !!

This is an issue I want to address because so many women are suffering with it and believe it to be something they just need to put up with each month. This is a common misconception.

I also used to suffer monthly.

I also used to think it was normal.

And I thought it was something I just have to ‘put up with’ because I am female.

I was so wrong!

This problem is known clinically as ‘dysmenorrhoea’.

Many young teenage girls and women present to their doctor with this issue and instead of finding the cause of the pain, they commonly offer up the oral contraceptive pill as a solution to their menstrual pain. And yes, perhaps it does provide a solution, temporarily. But the truth is that the pill will never be able to permanently fix the issue. It simply masks these problems, therefore they will inevitably come back to haunt you later on in life.

I have heard of women and young teenage girls being put on the pill for anything from heavy bleeding to moodiness to headaches even. As a natural health practitioner who is trained to find and fix the cause of the problem, this is extremely frustrating to hear.

Before I go on, I do want to state that I am not against use of the pill. In some cases it is beneficial and heck, it has provided many women with independence and freedom since its existence!

Anyway, enough about the pill…. Let’s get back to talking about dysmenorrhoea.

What are the causes of dysmenorrhoea?

There can be a few reasons why dysmenorrhoea occurs in the first place. Here are a few of the common factors that I often see when treating this issue:

· Excessive amounts of oestrogen

Oestrogen is actually a protective hormone to us women, but at controlled amounts. When it gets to excessive amounts, that’s when it can become problematic.

Oestrogen can be excessive due to:

- a lack of elimination generally;

- a lack of elimination through the correct detoxification channels (there are 3 possible pathways that oestrogen has to go down before it is excreted from the body, two of which can be harmful);

- a lack of progesterone within the second phase of your menstrual cycle;

- a high amount of body fat;

- exposure to xenoestrogens;

- those who have a family history of excessive oestrogen;

- in certain dis-eases such as endometriosis; and

- some medications.

· Inflammation

In our Western world, one that eats an anti-inflammatory diet is few and far between.

Foods that contain a compound called arachidonic acid, such as fatty cuts of red meat and other foods containing saturated fats, contribute to inflammatory pathways, therefore creating inflammation. With a lack of essential fatty acid supply, arachidonic acid is left to perpetuate inflammation.

There are a few proteins and protein derivatives contained within many foods, that are able to create inflammation in the body as well.

Additionally, foods such as sugar, alcohol, high doses of caffeine, preservatives and additives all have the ability to cause inflammation in the body.

· Nutrient Deficiencies

There are many nutrients that play a role in the smooth running of your period. These nutrients may contribute to important functions, such as:

- Production of hormones;

- Regulation of hormones;

- The sedation of muscle tension around the abdominal and pelvic cavities; and

- Regulation of inflammatory factors, such as arachidonic acid;

· The Microbiome

When your good bacteria and your bad bacteria are not in balance, this can wreak havoc on the amount of inflammation our bodies contain.

All bacteria within your body produce bi-products. The bad bacteria create products from their outer membrane called lipopolysaccharides, which can create factors that promote inflammation.

So what can we do to fix it naturally?

As there are many reasons why dysmenorrhoea can occur and in Naturopathy we treat the person, not the disease, each person will have their own tailored treatment plan.

That said, generally speaking there are a few things that a natural practitioner will always consider with dysmenorrhoea……

Food as medicine

To ensure your body has the ability to create hormones and therefore regulate the functioning of those systems and pathways, its needs all the tools in its toolbox.

There are specific foods and therapeutic eating patterns, that can provide anti-inflammatory support. Foods such as those containing omega 3 fats such as oily fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil in good amounts, can help to reduce inflammation around the body.

Eliminating dairy from your diet is also helpful. Dairy contains a protein, which increases inflammation and mucous production in the body.

Vitamins and minerals such as zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and in some cases B12 and folate are also super important.

There are many more foods that are beneficial or not so beneficial, however they are best discussed on a case by case basis.

Elimination

I know, I know.... its not a point that many people enjoy talking about, but it is super important for even the foundations of health. Fibre is a massively understated nutrient and the majority of people simply to not receive enough daily.

Fibre helps to eliminate waste including excess hormonal waste accumulated in complaints such as dysmenorrhoea.

Fibre is best obtained via vegetables and fruit, particularly vegetables in the brassica family such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radish, mustard, kale, cabbage and turnips. These vegetables contain a potent compound that assist in excessive oestrogen clearance from the body through the safest detoxification channel and do no harm.

Fibre also acts as a prebiotic to feed those beneficial bacteria in your body and allow them to thrive and restore harmony .

Herbal medicine

There are many herbs that assist in women’s health.

Herbal medicine tonics are produced on a case by case basis. The practitioner considers the person as a whole in order to come to a conclusion about what the cause of their complaint is.

The focus on herbal tonics for dysmenorrhoea centre around reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, enhancing healthy detoxification and providing symptomatic relief of reducing pain associated with your period.

Do you want to get rid of your dysmenorrhoea?

I bet the answer is yes and I don't blame you. It can be a hard road doing it alone, particularly if you are flying blind and find the information overwhelming.

I would love to help you!

Click on the link below to go to book in a session with me, and be on the road to kissing your period pain goodbye.

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