Painful, Heavy Periods

Menstruation is a natural occurrence and is not normally painful, except, occasionally in young girls. Pain accompanies an ovulatory cycle, which is why women on the pill do not suffer from menstrual pain, and why gynaecologists offer this method of contraception as the treatment for it.

Under the influence of oestrogens, the tissue that lines the uterus thickens in preparation to receive an egg. If fertilization does not take place, the drop in 'hormone levels produces a contraction "In the uterine vessels, and the mucous lining, no longer fed by blood vessels, begins to shed. Periods generally last from three to five days, and produce on taverage the equivalent of half a glass of blood (3-4 fluid ounces) - in some cases much more.

A simple measure: heat

Heat promotes blood circulation and relaxes the muscles.

One very simple, but truly beneficial, remedy is a hot-water bottle held against the stomach for a few minutes several times a day.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture's effectiveness against all kinds of pain makes it a suitable treatment here, even during menstruation.

Treatment: Two sessions ten days apart before your period is due, then again just before or as it starts.

Homeopathy

Colocynthis and Magnesia phosphorica for period pain.

Colocynthis

- Vegetable origin: the dried pulp of the colocynth or bitter apple
- The homeopathic remedy for violent but intermittent pain, such as cramps
- There are four characteristic modalities: the pain is improved by applying strong pressure, or heat, by a curled-up position, or by movement

Magnesia phosphorica

- Chemical origin: magnesium phosphate
- The homeopathic remedy for unbearable spasms that come and go abruptly
- A specific indication: the pain is improved by heat

Cyclamen and China for painful periods with heavy bleeding.

Cyclamen europaeum

- Vegetable origin: the corm of the plant
- The homeopathic remedy for the combination of pain and bleeding
- There are two characteristic modalities: the pain is made worse by fresh air, and improved by a warm room

China

- Vegetable origin: the bark of the cinchona tree, source of quinine
- The homeopathic remedy for haemorrhage
- A specific indication: there is dizziness accompanied by headache
- China is of historical interest because it was the first remedy tested by Samuel Hahnemann, the 'father' of homeopathy
- Four 5c tablets of one or several of these remedies to be sucked slowly three to four times a day, depending on the symptoms

• You could also try Lehning@ Rosmarinus complex 24 whose ingredients include China 1x and Pulsatilla 3x:
  - Sold in 30ml bottles of oral drops
  - Fifteen drops to be taken in a little water three times a day while the period lasts
• It is also important that you combine these treatments with a constitutional remedy, to be chosen after consultation with a professional homeopath. Some likely choices are Actaea racemosa, Pulsatilla or Sepia

pulsatilla

- Vegetable origin: the meadow anemone or windflower
- One of the homeopathic remedies for scanty, irregular periods with thick, dark blood
- Some specific character traits: a shy, emotional nature, very gentle but of changeable mood, inclined to sadness, cries easily, with a need for signs of sympathy

Oligotherapy

Iron ++

Dietary sources of iron

Iron is found mainly in black pudding, cocoa, spinach, soya flour, liver, beans, lentils, mussels, potatoes, red meat and offal. and wine.

• For those women who need iron for blood loss, but who dislike black pudding and red meat (the two foods that contain the most iron), supplements such as Floradix Liquid Iron Formula can help replace it:
  - Available in bottles of 250ml and 500ml
  - Take two teaspoons before morning and evening meals
• You could also try trace-element combinations such as Premtis@ (Lamberts), which includes iron, magnesium, calcium, folic acid, copper, zinc, vitamin B12, B6 and others:
  - Available in containers of 120 tablets
  - Two tablets to be taken daily

Herbal remedies

Yarrow, evening primrose, sarsaparilla, sage, and crampbark

Possible Prescription: Ask your herbalist to make up a 30ml bottle of mother tincture of yarrow. Take 25 drops in a little water three times a day from the night before your period is due to start until it ends.

Yarrow or milfoil

'lYarrow is an aromatic, herbaceous plant with slender upright stalks and, white or pinkish flowers in separate, narrow clusters. It is used first of all to heal wounds its Latin name, 'Achillea millefolium', comes from the Greek hero Achilles whose tendon was apparently healed by this herb. Another of its common names, soldier's woundwort, is even clearer on the subject. But it is also a tonic and a sedative, a digestive stimulant and anti-spasmodic, a diuretic, and an anti-allergy remedy. (useful for hay fever). It also relieves uterine cramps and painful periods.

• You could take Herba Naturelle Sarsaparilla
  -Available in bottles of 100ml
  -20 drops in a little water 3 times daily
• Evening primrose is available most often in the form of capsules obtainable from your pharmacy. Each capsule contains between 400 and 600mg of coid-pressed oil. Take one capsule two or three times a day during the second half of your cycle
• You could also try Lamberts@ lening Primrose Oil (1000mg), which also contains vitamin E:
  -Available in containers of 90 capsules
  -1 to 3 capsules daily

Sarsaparilla

This climbing vine grows in the tropical forests of Latin America, Asia, and Australiia. Used for many years to treat the skin eruptions of syphilis, it is still used in dermatology to treat cases of psoriasis and eczema. It is also a depurative (a purifying agent) and a diuretic, it stimulates the immune system, and also has a hormonal effect, which makes it useful for menstrual problems. Its root is still eaten in some countries for its stimulating and (some say) aphrodisiac effects.

Crampbark

Also known as viburnum, this North American shrub's bark and roots were used by the native people to treat dysentery. It is also considered the specific plant for painful periods, for its sedative effect on the uterus. It is also one of the ingredients in treatments for circulation.

Evening Primrose

A native of Virginia in the United States, evening primrose was first brought to Europe in the 17th century. Its almost magical curative properties meant that at first it was reserved for the king's personal use only. Only gradually did it eventually become available to all. These days. it is most commonly used by women, because its natural anti-inflammatory effects make it helpful against the more unpleasant aspects both of premenstrual syndrome (depression and irritability, breast tenderness, abdominal pain. water retention. headaches) and of menopause (hot flushes, skin changes, and mood disorders).

Oil of evening primrose and borage have attracted the attention of researchers, since both contain the 'good' kind of fatty acids, the unsaturated kind that are essential for optimum health. Evening primrose is particularly helpful for gynaecological conditions, while borage is more helpful for the skin.