Dysmenorrhea is chronic, crampy, pain in the lower abdomen that usually occurs during the periods. It is a very prevalent condition, which affects 50-90% of females at some phase in their lives, mostly between their teens to twenties. It usually begins before 2 days or when periods start and gets better after the 2nd day of bleeding. Women commonly undergo mild nausea, back pain, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness besides menstrual pain.
What causes dysmenorrhea?
Women having primary dysmenorrhea experience abnormal spasms in the uterus because of imbalanced levels of a chemical in the body. For instance, the chemical substance prostaglandin regulates the contractions of the uterine lining. Secondary dysmenorrhea is a result of other medical conditions linked with female sexual health, such as endometriosis.
What can be done to decrease this pain?
The first line remedies include:
● Applying heat to the lower abdomen using a heat pad or pack
● Exercising
● Staying hydrated enough – a woman’s body requires about 2.5 liters of liquids a day
● Start taking 400-600mg of oral Ibuprofen every 6 hours a day before you expect your period to start and continue taking it until the pain resolves.
● Start taking 250mg of oral Magnesium at bedtime a day before you expect your period to start, and continue taking it until the pain resolves.
● Begin using a Fish Oil supplement routinely
If these traditional methods are not easing the pain, consider discussing the following alternatives with your physician:
● Prescription-strength NSAIDs called Ponstel
● Progesterone help during the menstrual cycle’s luteal phase
● Low-dose Naltrexone is a medication that is assumed as more of an experimental approach for treating menstrual pain but presents some encouraging benefits with few adverse effects
● Going for a diagnostic laparoscopy to inspect for issues with the condition of the pelvis, particularly endometriosis
The role LDN can play in female gynecologic health
Research has suggested naltrexone offers some promising benefits at lower doses when used for treating Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), absence of menstruation due to stress or exercise, and endometriosis. It might also assist in managing brown bleeding, poor sleep, anxiety, and sad mood. Low-dose Naltrexone has numerous positive influences on the menstrual cycle. Dysmenorrhoea significantly gets better. Several women report feeling much less pain when taking LDN. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) got better in 80% of females and the treatment proves to be life-changing. Women having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) might get immature ovulation and a shorter menstrual cycle. Brown menstrual blood also decreases, due to diminished inflammation from LDN, resulting in a healthier cycle and pregnancy more achievable.
Reference post link:
https://sites.google.com/view/does-ldn-treat-dysmenorrhea/home/blogs/how-efficiently-does-ldn-treat-dysmenorrhea
