What could be causing period pain and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), and how we can treat it with nutrition and natural medicines.

Period pain

Despite what we may believe, period pain is not part of a healthy menstrual cycle; mild discomfort is the most we should experience.

Women who experience regular period pain have a more pro-inflammatory response to the hormonal changes required to help themselves shed the lining of the uterus each month.

The good news is that period pain can be successfully treated with natural medicines.

What you can do

Symptomatically, warm ginger tea works wonders for period pain due to its powerful anti-inflammatory action. The tea should be made with freshly grated ginger and left to steep for 10 minutes before drinking. Sipping this for the first couple of days of your period can really help to relieve pain.

Consuming plenty of oily fish – mackerel, salmon, tuna and sardines – or supplementing with good quality fish oil will reduce inflammation and decrease period pain.

If you get cramps, magnesium will help reduce this – start taking it a couple of days before your period starts for maximum effect.

One caveat: if your period pain is due to endometriosis, however, you need specialised treatment to support your hormone metabolism. This may include broccoli sprout extract, turmeric, rosemary, St Mary’s thistle and B group vitamins.

Phytoestrogens, such as flaxseed lignans and soy isoflavones, may also help. See your naturopath for advice.

Why PMS occurs

We may joke about it, but being irritable, bursting into tears at the drop of a hat, and craving chocolate every month is not fun or normal, and in extreme cases it can really affect relationships at home and at work.

Turning into a PMS monster is generally related to the way hormones are metabolised by the liver and gut. When these organs aren’t working optimally we experience a temporary excess of hormones circulating in our system, usually the week prior to our period, which causes changes in mood and behaviour.

What you can do

To correct the cause of PMS we need to address liver and bowel health and the best long-term results are achieved by supporting detoxification.

This may include cutting out alcohol, processed foods and sugar for a time while increasing your intake of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts and seeds.

Herbs to support liver and bowel health include St Mary’s thistle, globe artichoke, dandelion, schisandra, and licorice.

Nutrients that specifically support detoxification include n-acetyl cysteine, glutamine, taurine, B group vitamins, and antioxidants like selenium.

Herbs and nutrients that specifically up-regulate the metabolism of hormones include broccoli sprout extract, turmeric, rosemary, B group vitamins, and phytoestrogens like flax seeds and soy lignans.

This article first appeared in Nature & Health magazine.
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