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published: Thursday, June 04, 2009
Cramping a major problem associated with menses
Michael Visconti, A.P., N.P.
Correspondent
As I have said in past columns, PMS and heavy menstrual flow are common in this time. They can cause debilitation and can drastically affect a woman's lifestyle.
Another major problem associated with the above health concerns is the pain associated with cramping during menses. All these issues stem from the same cause: hormonal imbalances, but they do not need to happen.
Pelvic cramping stems from the uterus trying to expel tissue, clots and blood from the body when the uterus prepares for pregnancy during the monthly cycle but does not get pregnant.
At that time the lining of the uterus sloughs off and is shed as menstrual flow. When hormones are out of balance this lining and, consequently, the menstrual flow can be excessive and hard to expel. Basically, that is what causes cramping.
How can we deal with the cramping then?Conventionally, women are put on birth control pills. The conventional mindset is that pharmaceutically prepared hormones can force the body into doing things that nature did not intend since nature doesn't know what it is doing.
Girls as young as 12 years old are put on these pills to "regulate" menses and stop bleeding, cramping, etc. There are now birth controls pills that can allow periods only 3-4 times per year. This is not normal and not good for the body.
There is a higher risk of stroke and blood clots in women who take birth control pills as they age, especially if they smoke.
For symptomatic relief of cramping NSAIDS are the drug of choice. Women are taking Ibuprophen, Tylenol, Aleve, Midol and a host of other pain killers. They are expected to "live with it" especially if their mothers, aunts, sisters or friends have the same problems.
There are quite a lot of things that can be done in the natural health arena, however.
First and foremost is to balance the hormones. Proper diet can help immensely as steroids in milk and meats can adversely provide "estrogen-like" compounds. Toxins, pesticides and plastics (e.g. the bottles the steroid laden milk comes in) also have these harmful "estrogen-like" compounds.
Ensuring proper liver and hormonal gland function can also help. Cholesterol that is driven too low can adversely affect hormones as cholesterol is the main building block for all steroid hormones. Your body needs cholesterol!
While you are balancing the hormones, there are some non-drug therapies that can help with the cramping: Acupuncture, massage and hydrotherapy can be very effective for the cramping (and other PMS symptoms, too).
Acupuncture can help to balance hormones and it is very useful for decreasing pain of cramps. I have had women come in with severe cramps that walk out pain free.
Massage therapy can also work for reducing pain during menses. One of the most overlooked therapies in the modern age comes from the 1800s. The use of hot and cold water applications can do wonders for many conditions.
One therapy for menstrual cramps is a hot vinegar pack to the abdomen/pelvis. Mix white vinegar with warm water 50:50 and place over lower abdomen for 3-5 minutes. Repeat as needed.
Another remedy from Dr. Harvey Kellogg's hydrotherapy book is to place a cold compress on the abdomen above the navel only. Cover compress with wool and then cover with plastic to prevent evaporation. Your body will warm the compress and decongest the pelvis, thereby lessening cramping. A warm foot bath can be added to improve the decongesting function of the compress.
There are a number of herbal formulas that can help reduce the cramping and the pain associated with the cramping but again they should be used to help address the symptoms while the cause of the hormonal imbalance is corrected.
Remember, there are enough things we have to put up with in this world that we don't need to suffer with issues that can be helped. Find the cause of the problem and deal with it so you don't have to keep suffering. It's you life. It's your health!
