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
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