How to Get Rid of Dysmenorrhea Naturally?

Dysmenorrhea

What is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term used for painful periods. The study showed that sometimes it can be as painful as a heart attack. More than 80% of women who menstruate every month, suffering from menstruation cramps, abdominal pain, constipation, and heavy bleeding. Mild pain is normal but if you feel severe pain every month during your menstrual cycle then it could be a matter of concern. Sometimes there is another medical condition such as kidney stones, and endometriosis which also causes painful periods in women.

Dysmenorrhea is of two types:

  1. Primary dysmenorrhea: It is normal in almost every women who menstruate every month. The symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea such as cramping, lower abdominal pain usually start 2-3 days before your periods and stay for 4-5 days until your periods are not ended. It also shows other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and even diarrhea.
  2. Secondary dysmenorrhea: It is a condition when women’s feel severe pain during their menstrual periods due to some disorder in female reproductive organs. The most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea is endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis. Endometriosis mainly affects the pelvic area which includes fallopian tubes, uterus, and bladder. 

What are the Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea?

  • Heavy bleeding
  • Pain in hips
  • Lower back pain
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Fatigue 
  • Constipation
  • Belly Bloating  
  • Fainting
  • Irritability
  • Loose bowel

What are the Causes of Dysmenorrhea?

  • Endometriosis: It is a condition in which the tissues lined the uterus starts growing outside the uterus and other parts of female reproductive areas such as a fallopian tube, bladder, and ovaries.
  • Fibroids: These are the uterine fibromas, tumor which is developed in the uterus. This is also one of the major cause of dysmenorrhea. Almost 20-50 % women of reproductive age have this problem.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PDI): It is an infection in female reproductive organs due to sexually transmitted bacteria’s.
  • Ovarian cyst: Sometimes the cyst develops in your ovaries which may cause painful periods.
  • Being overweight.
  • High level of prostaglandin, which causes uterus contraction.
  • Narrow cervix.
  • Sexually transmitted infection.

Natural Herbs for Dysmenorrhea Treatment

Ayurveda is the natural healing process in which people get benefits from herb without any side effects. There are numbers of herbs which are helpful during painful periods. These are:

1. Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus)

Shatavari is one of best herb which is helpful during menstrual pain. It also helps the mother to lactate more. The herb shows effective results in females who are suffering from PCOS and irregular periods. The medicinal properties of herb in Ayurveda:

  • Rasa (Taste): Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta)
  • Guna (Qualities): Heaviness (Guru), Oily, unctuous (Snigdha)
  • Vipaka: (Madura) after digestion undergoes sweet taste conversion
  • Veerya:  (Sheeta) Cold potency

2. Lodhra (Symplocus Racemosa)

Lodhra is very effective during bleeding disorder, menstrual pain and diarrhoea. It belongs to Styraceae family. The herb contains chemical constituents such as loturine, loturidine, symposide, and stem bark contains proanthocynidin, 3-monogluicofuranosides and whole plant contains glycosides. All these natural constituents help to get relief from menstrual pain. The paste of Symplocus racemosa bark is used over the vaginal area this will helps to provide protection form vaginal infection. In Ayurveda the medicinal properties of the herb are:

  • Rasa (Taste):  Astringent (Kashaya), Bitter (Tikta)
  • Guna (Qualities): Light to digest (Laghu), Dryness (Rooksha)
  • Vipaka: Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion (Katu)
  • Veerya: Cold potency (Sheeta)

3. Ashoka (Saraca Indica)

Ashoka is an Ayurvedic herb which has been used for centuries due to its great medicinal properties towards the gynecological condition. It is used for the treatment of menstrual symptoms such as abdominal cramps and pain. In Ayurveda the medicinal properties of the herb are:

  • Rasa (Taste):  Astringent (Kashaya), Bitter (Tikta)
  • Guna (Qualities): Light to digest (Laghu), Dryness (Rooksha)
  • Vipaka: After digestion convert into pungent taste (Katu)
  • Veerya: Cold potency (Sheeta)

4. Udumbar (Ficus Glomerata)

Udumbar is an ayurvedic herb which is used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea and heavy periods. The mixture of leaves powder with honey helps to reduce infection and decoction of leaves is used for getting relief from dysmenorrhea. It shows great anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties which reduce the inflammation and pain during menstruation. Medicinal properties of the herb in Ayurveda:

  • Rasa (Taste): Astringent (Kashaya)
  • Guna (Qualities): Heavy (Guru), Dryness (Rooksha)
  • Vipaka (Katu): After digestion undergoes pungent taste conversion
  • Veerya: Cold in potency (Sheeta)

5. Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

Ginger is the carminative herb which contains gingerol, a potent bioactive compound which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and provides relief from menstrual pain. It helps to reduce abdominal pain, cramps, and heavy menstrual bleeding. The herbal tea which contains ginger and honey is very effective during pain and also treat gas, constipation and diarrhea problem. Medicinal properties of ginger:

  • Rasa (Taste): Katu (Pungent)
  • Guna (Qualities): Heavy (Guru), Dryness (Rooksha), Strong, Piercing (Teekshna)
  • Vipaka: After digestion undergoes madhura (Sweet) taste
  • Veerya: Hot in potency (Ushna)

6. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanica)

It is also one of Ayurvedic herb which reduces menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of dysmenorrhea. It reduces the production of prostaglandin from the uterine lining and eventually reduces the pain. You can add the cinnamon powder in your foods and morning tea or coffee. This will soothe your body. Medicinal properties of Cinnamon:

  • Rasa (Taste): Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter), Madhura (Sweet)
  • Guna (Qualities): Laghu (Light to digest), Rooksha (Dry)
  • Vipaka: After digestion undergoes pungent (katu) taste
  • Veerya: Hot in potency (Ushna)

7. Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum Greacum)

It is called as methi in Hindi. The herb is rich in vitamins, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin A, C, and K. The major chemical constituents of fenugreek which participate to reduce the menstrual pain are diosgenin, gitogenin, yamogenin, graecunin, and gitogenin. Medicinal properties of the herb are:

  • Guna (Qualities): Light to digest (Laghu)
  • Rasa (Taste): Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
  • Vipaka: Undergoes pungent (Katu) taste conversion after digestion
  • Veerya: (Ushna) Hot in potency

All the herb which are mentioned above are really very effective during dysmenorrhea these are natural treatments which show no side effects on your body.