Dysmenorrhea is characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. While most women experience minor pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when the pain is so severe as to limit normal activities, or require medication.  Dysmenorrhea can feature different kinds of pain, including sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain. Primary dysmenorrhea may precede menstruation by several days or may accompany it, and it usually subsides as menstruation tapers off. This kind of spasmodic cramping is thought to be caused by an excess of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are hormone-like fatty-acids that send pain signals to the brain and cause cramping of the uterine wall.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when symptoms are attributable to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality either within or outside the uterus. Such abnormalities may include endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis, fibroids, structural abnormalities or the use of an IUD.  It is important to have a proper evaluation with your primary healthcare provider to rule out such complexities.

 

Acupuncture and proper herbal medicine are very effective in treating dysmenorrheal by opening energetic blockages in the body, relaxing muscles of the pelvic floor, increasing circulation, and calming the mind.  All such mechanisms have an effect on the body’s pain response, and help reduce the excessive presence of prostaglandins.  Many studies have been done on the effects of complementary medicine in treating dysmenorrhea, with astounding results.  A recent study in Italy showed significant effect of acupuncture in reducing uterine spasms associated with menstruation in women who were unable to take NSAIDS (non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen) in just eight weeks of treatment.  Acupuncture and natural herbal medicine offer effective and natural relief for dysmenorrhea.