Say Good-Bye To Painful Menstrual Cramps
Natural Solutions from C. W. Randolph, Jr., M.D., R.Ph.
If you are a woman over 30 years of age and experience painful menstrual cramping, you could very well be suffering from an underlying condition of estrogen dominance. It has been estimated that as many as 30 to 50 percent of all women suffer from pain during their menstrual period. Menstrual cramping or pain is the result of contractions of the uterus and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, headache, or lightheadedness. There can be several causes of menstrual cramping including an underlying hormonal imbalance, a uterus that is out of optimal position, or a disease in the uterus such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroid tumors or a problem with an intrauterine device.
Estrogen Dominance: The Underlying Culprit
For our purposes here, I am going to focus on an underlying hormonal imbalance—specifically the condition of estrogen dominance—as the causative agent. Why? Because I see thousands of women each year in my gynecological practice and, for nine out of ten who complain about menstrual pain, estrogen dominance is the culprit.
The immediate cause of menstrual cramping is that the uterine muscle and the blood vessels that supply the uterus are tight and contracted. Uterine contractions are caused by prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are a natural substance made by the body; uterine prostaglandins cause uterine contractions. Strong uterine contractions cause the blood supply to the uterus to temporarily shutdown, depriving the uterine muscle of oxygen and setting up the cycle of menstrual contractions and pain. Blood circulation and oxygenation to this area are diminished, so the metabolism of the uterus and pelvic muscles is decreased. Waste products of metabolism, such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid, build up, intensifying the pain and discomfort.
This sequence can occur from a woman’s first period. Often I will have a woman tell me that she suffered from menstrual cramping in her teens and early twenties but, after childbearing, she experienced a reprieve. Then, years later, the cramping came back with a vengeance. Let me explain why that can occur.
The Estrogen-Progesterone Dance
You are most likely aware that there is an inner dance between the estrogen and progesterone hormones produced by your ovaries. That dance triggers monthly ovulation and menstrual bleeding. With age, often beginning in a woman’s mid-thirties, there is a shift in the production of these hormones, with progesterone levels declining first. In fact, progesterone levels decline an average of 120 times as rapidly as estrogen levels. This means that the ratio between estrogen and progesterone becomes unbalanced and their dance is disrupted. The result: a condition of estrogen dominance.
Now, as a woman ages she begins to have anovulatory cycles, which simply means menstrual cycles during which her ovaries do not release eggs. When there is no ovulation, the ovaries are not producing any progesterone. When the body’s estrogen levels are dominant and unopposed by progesterone, the estrogen stimulates the endometrial lining to become abnormally thickened. The result can be heavier bleeding, clotting and/or painful menstrual cramps.
What Can You Do?
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First and foremost, balance your hormones. If your estrogen-progesterone dance is out of step, then you probably need to replace your missing progesterone. How can you do that? I recommend transdermal bioidentical progesterone cream.
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Eat a healthy balance diet that is high in zinc, calcium and B vitamins.
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Cut back on your salt, sugar and caffeine intake during the week leading up to your period. Less of these items means less severe menstrual cramps.
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Reach for vitamin E-rich foods such as nuts and legumes two days before your period and throughout the rest of it. According to a recent study published by the University of Minnesota, “Vitamin E inhibits the interior inflammation that cause menstrual cramping.”
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Supplement your diet with 400 IU Vitamin E and 100 mg B6 daily. Do not exceed recommended dosage of these vitamins.
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Supplement with 300 mg Evening Primrose oil which will also reduce cramping caused by prostaglandin contractions.
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Stand up straight and exercise. Good posture and gentle exercise such as walking, yoga and stretching can improve proper circulation to the pelvic region.
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