Cures and Remedies for Menstrual Pain

First Part: Menstrual Pain - Dysmenorrhea about the characteristics of menstrual pain, its cyclicality and irradiation, but also the age of onset of menarche, the intake of certain drugs or supplements, the appearance of vaginal discharge, the contraceptive means used, the regularity of the cycles and the presence or absence of associated concomitant disorders.

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The general medical examination can therefore direct the patient to an accurate gynecological examination, in order to investigate any causes of secondary menstrual pain. Commonly used diagnostic techniques include pelvic ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (all painless and non-invasive tests), hysteroscopy (insertion of a small tube into the vagina, which is traced back to the uterus for visually check the state of health of the organ through a micro-camera) and laparoscopy (the micro-camera placed in the micro-catheter accesses the areas to be checked through a small incision near the navel).

In the presence of primary dysmenorrhea, menstrual pains are treated essentially in two ways.

The first is based on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly useful for alleviating painful symptoms; their pharmacological action, among other things, decreases the local concentration of prostaglandins by blocking cyclooxygenase. The therapy is normally started on the day of menstruation or better, if it is possible to establish their arrival, already in the previous one, then continued for the following 48-72 hours. The most commonly used active ingredients are ibuprofen and naproxen, all of which are contraindicated in the presence of a peptic ulcer.

If there are no contraindications to the use of the contraceptive pill, it is often effective in reducing the severity of menstrual cramps, thanks to its ability to inhibit ovulation and decrease uterine contractility.

In the presence of secondary dysmenorrhea it is obviously necessary to treat the underlying organic pathology; for example, in the presence of endometriosis or fibroids we proceed with the elimination of the abnormal tissue through minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopy itself.

or a hot water bottle on the abdomen are among the most popular home remedies.

Other non-drug treatments include gentle circular massages in the lower abdomen, muscle stretching exercises, yoga and meditation techniques, TENS, acupuncture and psychotherapy.

The most popular supplements for menstrual pain are those of magnesium, omega-3, vitamin E, zinc and vitamin B1.

The lack of omega-3, together with the excesses of omega-6 (typical of industrialized nations due to the reduced consumption of fish and the high intake of vegetable oils), favors the production of prostaglandins and other substances with a pro-inflammatory action; for this reason reason, beyond the possible integration with EPA and DHA (omega-three), in the presence of menstrual pain it can be helpful to consume greater quantities of salmon, blue fish and linseed oil.

Among the herbal remedies indicated in the presence of dysmenorrhea we remember Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), Potentilla anserina (Argentina) and Black Cohosh.