Natural remedies for menstruating mums 1260x542
7 Aug 2013

Natural remedies for menstruating mums

2 mins to read
During pregnancy most women are pleased to forgo menstruation. But after a hiatus of anywhere from ten to eighteen months – or more, revisiting “that time of the month” can be a shock to the system. But before reaching for traditional pain relief, there are a few natural remedies that might better equip busy mums to (excuse the pun) go with the flow post baby. Tanya Ryan-Seggar


The medical term for painful periods is “dysmenorrhoea” and the condition is believed to be due to muscular contractions of the womb that produce pain or general abdominal discomfort during menstruation. If you experience this you are far from alone. “Primary dysmenorrhoea” – period pain not associated with any physical abnormality, effects about 50% of the menstruating population.

Although dysmenorrhoea can occur at any time in a female’s reproductive life, it most commonly occurs to women between the ages of 20 and24.

For women already feeling fatigued or overwhelmed by the demands of parenting, managing the return of periods – mildly or more painful, is important.

Over-the-counter pain relief to aid menstrual discomfort, like paracetamol and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, is just the tip of the iceberg. Often overlooked, natural remedies can also have an impact. Here is a look at simple dietary, stress and lifestyle considerations that could potentially change your approach to period pain.

1. Diet

  • A balanced diet is vital for overall wellbeing but decreasing or avoiding certain foods might also be useful in the fight against period pain. Be mindful of salt consumption - too much salt can increase fluid retention and worsen bloating
  • Watch your intake of foods high in arachidonic acid. This fatty acid plays a role in painful menstrual cramps and is contained in things like butter and chicken as well as limiting some dairy foods such as milk, cheese and ice cream may help if you are allergic or intolerant of them.
    Along with limiting some foods it is also important to eat the right things such as:
  • Plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables – allowing the body to get essential nutrients that may prevent menstrual cramps while getting enough fibre will help regulate bowel function.
  • Fruits rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, including kiwi fruit, citrus fruits and berries, are ideal as they may help to decrease inflammation and support circulation- - which may help to prevent pelvic muscle tension.
  • Oily fish including salmon, tuna and sardines, nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are high in beneficial essential fatty acids that help to decrease cramping and promote muscle relaxation.

2. Stress
Stress is a known precursor to a range of ailments and primary dysmenorrhoea is no exception. But when it comes to painful periods personal stress is a negative for two main reasons; it can be part of the cause of menstrual discomfort and may also affect a woman’s ability to deal with her pain, so management is important.

Techniques like psychotherapy can help women better understand and manage stressors while meditation, visualisation and other relaxation techniques might equip women to deal with stress.

Physical stress can also play a part as, for example, tension in the lower back and pelvic area may be caused by poor posture and by rectifying it circulation to the pelvic region might be improved and pain might be decreased.

3. Lifestyle choices
Along with diet, lifestyle choices are important as the better the physical and mental condition a woman is in is, the more able she will be to deal with menstrual pain. Research has shown that menstrual cramps tend to last longer in women who smoke and the chance of prolonged pain is doubled in those who are overweight (weight being a risk factor in itself).

References available on request



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