Have you ever questioned whether the discomfort you experience during your menstrual cycle is typical? Do you often hear friends and family say they also encounter period pain, leading you to believe it’s just a regular part of life? While some level of menstrual cramping is typical, experiencing severe pain that disrupts your daily activities is not normal and may signal an underlying issue.
Normal Period Pain
Menstrual cramps, which are generally felt in the pelvis and lower back, can be described as a heavy and uncomfortable sensation. It’s common for cramping to occur shortly before your period or during the first one or two days of your menstrual flow. Some women may feel mild discomfort for two to three days.
Additionally, many women experience mild constipation just before their period, which can exacerbate the discomfort due to a congested bowel. Fortunately, this constipation usually eases as your period begins.
Normal period pain may cause discomfort but should not significantly impact your daily life. Some women find that engaging in activities like walking or exercise can help alleviate the pain.
When Period Pain Becomes a Concern
If the cramping during your period necessitates the use of painkillers or forces you to stay home from school or work, this is not typical and requires attention.
Natural Approaches to Period Pain
You might be surprised to learn that naturopaths often recommend an anti-inflammatory diet as an effective means of reducing menstrual pain. This can serve as an excellent alternative to contraceptive pills for managing period discomfort.
Many individuals, especially girls and women, have successfully reduced pain by eliminating dairy and/or wheat from their diet, as these foods can trigger inflammation in some cases. Identifying and addressing specific food intolerances can lead to a more comfortable period for others.
Herbal medicine and nutritional supplements are additional tools that can support a healthy menstrual cycle and help reduce period pain. Consulting with a naturopath, making dietary changes, regular exercise, and stress management can significantly improve pain within three months.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your menstrual pain feels more like a stabbing or burning sensation rather than a cramp, it may be indicative of an underlying medical condition. In such cases, consulting with a doctor specialising in women’s health is advisable. If your pain remains unimproved after three months of dietary changes or becomes debilitating, further investigation is necessary.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common condition that can cause severe period pain and discomfort at various points in your menstrual cycle, including ovulation. This condition is characterised by endometrium-like tissue in areas outside the uterine lining, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and bladder. Endometriosis pain tends to worsen with increased estrogen levels throughout the menstrual cycle.
Did you know that endometriosis is asymptomatic in one-third of cases? Symptoms typically begin several years after the onset of your period and progress as the ectopic endometrial deposits increase.
The most common symptoms include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pelvic pain with menses (not always related to severity of disorder)
- Extreme bloating
- Infertility
- Pain with bladder/bowel function
- Tenderness when affected areas are palpated
- Vaginismus
- Migraines and headaches
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Joint pain
- Interstitial cystitis
Natural treatments for endometriosis may include dietary modifications, investigation of histamine intolerance, herbal antimicrobial medicine, and nutritional supplements. Functional testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and gut microbial mapping may be recommended to identify digestive dysbiosis. Sometimes, vaginal microbiome testing can be valuable when investigating period pain.
Pain Between Periods
Occasionally, women may experience a sharp twinge in their ovaries around the midpoint between their periods, signalling ovulation. This is typically normal and should only last a short time without requiring painkillers or affecting daily activities. However, if you experience a different type of pelvic or ovarian pain between periods, it’s advisable to consult a women’s health doctor.
Women’s Wellness
Women’s wellness is a topic I am deeply passionate about. I have had the privilege of helping many women with various health concerns, including period pain, PMS, perimenopause, menopause, endometriosis, vaginal/vulval conditions, infections, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
If you’re interested in working with me or seeking support for your health journey, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would be honoured to be a part of your support team.
Natalie x
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