Dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
Every woman’s cycle is unique and many of us have dealt with period pain for so long, it’s perceived as ‘normal’ for us. But how do we recognise what is normal and what pain is been caused by something else going on within the body?
As a general rule if your period pain subsides with ibuprofen then that is a positive response to the pain.
If your period pain is debilitating and it is stopping you from achieving everyday outcomes such as work, socialising or managing simple tasks, then it’s time to investigate this further.
Normal period pain can present with the following symptoms:
Mild cramping in the lower pelvis
Mild lower back pain
Looser stools in the days leading up to your cycle
Severe period pain can present with the following symptoms:
Severe pelvic pain that radiates to the back, legs or other areas of the body
Nausea / vomitting
Headaches / migraines
Pain that is characterised as stabbing, burning, searing or throbbing
Doesn’t improve with ibuprofen
Severe period pain can be caused by conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or pelvic floor dysfunction and should be investigated further by your trusted health professional.
Some of my favourite and easy to incorporate ways of reducing period pain include:
+ Zinc - reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
+ Dairy free diet - to reduce inflammation & histamine production.
+ Magnesium - reduce cramping by relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus. Aim for a biglycinate form.
+ Turmeric - reduce inflammation and histamine production.