Dysmenorrhea

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

• Increase complex carbohydrates to 60-70 % of total calories, including whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables and seeds and nuts such as ground raw flaxseed and pumpkin seed
• Decrease fat, especially from arachidonic acid sources (animal products)
• *Increase fiber

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

• Vitamin B-Complex: take as directed
• Vitamin B3: 100 mg. every 2 hours during cramping
• Vitamin B6: 50 - 200 mg., increasing dosage during premenstrual phase
• Vitamin C: 100 mg. every 2 hours during cramping (enhances vitamin B3)
• Vitamin E: 1200 I.U.
• Magnesium: 500 - 800 mg.

Supplements: (references)

• Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids: 1-5 gm. TID
• Ovary Glandular: 2 tablet TID
• Bromelain: 250 - 500 mg. TID on an empty stomach
• Quercetin: 250 - 500 mg. every 2 hours during cramping (enhances vitamin B3)

Botanicals: (references)

• Elixir - *Caulophylum thalictroides, Viburnum opulus, *Chamaelirium luteum, *Mitchella repens: Mother's cordial, take 1/4 tsp. every 4 hours for five days before menses is to begin

• Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:
  Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
  Aletris farinosa (True unicorn)
  Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry)
  Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
  Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue cohosh)
  Chamaelirium luteum (False unicorn)
  Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh)
  Cinnamomum saigonicum (Saigon cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon)
  Corydalis bulbosa (Corydalis)
  Curcuma longa (Tumeric)
  Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam)
  Humulus lupulus (Hops)
  Juniperus communis (Juniper)
  Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
  Mentha piperita (Peppermint)
  Mitchella repens (Squawvine, Partridge berry)
  Petasites hybridus (Butterbur, Bladderdock, Bog Rhubarb)
  Piscidia piscipula (Jamaican dogwood)
  Salvia officinalis (Sage)
  Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)
  Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry)
  Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
  Verbena officinalis (Vervain)
  Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark)

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

• Dysmenorrhea on the first day of menses:
  
  gnaph, lach
• Dysmenorrhea that is ameliorated by warmth:
  
  ars, cast, caust, MAG-P, nux-m, sabin, ven-m
• Dysmenorrhea at the end of menses:
  
  buth-a
• Dysmenorrhea ameliorated by the beginning of the flow:
  
  kali-fer, lach, mag-p, mosch, zinc, zinc-valer
• Dysmenorrhea with crying and screaming from the pain:
  
  cact, CHAM, coff, COLOC, cupr, ign, mag-p, plat, sep

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)   

Other Therapies: (references)

• Stop smoking
• Alleviate stress
• Acupuncture
• Spinal manipulation
• Aromatherapy has been shown to be effective in many cases
• *Tonic IV therapy: for acute relief
• *Coffee enema: 1/day 1 week before and during menstrual flow

Recommended Labs:

• Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody
• Rule out appendicitis: CBC with Diff
• Rule out cancer: CA125, Ultrasound
• Rule out endometriosis: Ultrasound, MRI, Laparoscopy with Biopsy
• Rule out GI pathology: Upper GI Series
• Rule out pelvic infections: PAP Smear, Vaginal Wet Mount, Cervical Cultures, RPR
• Rule out pregnancy: hCG
• Rule out renal pathology: Ultrasound
• Rule out thyroid disorder: Thyroid Panel with TSH

*  The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).