Medical Treatments Dysmenorrhea | Gynecologic Conditions

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Written by Allen Lawrence, M.D.

Medical and Non-Medical Treatments of Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is not a nutritional deficiency syndrome however, some modification of diet and use of supplements and lifestyle changes can make a very big difference.

Dietary changes that may be helpful

As with most medical conditions eating a wholesome diet of fresh, heathy foods can go a long way and so it is with dysmenorrhea. We commonly suggest avoiding hard to digest red meats and instead eat lighter protein sources such as chicken, fish, seafood, and lots of fresh vine-ripened fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, berries, nuts and seeds. Avoiding dehydration as the time of the menstrual cycle comes near, can also be helpful.

A low salt diet and avoidance of foods high in salt will reduce bloating and edema and reduce to severity of menstrual pain.

Alcohol should be avoided by women experiencing menstrual pain, as it depletes stores of certain nutrients and alters the metabolism of carbohydrates which may in turn worsen muscle spasms. Alcohol can also interfere with the liver's ability to metabolize hormones. In some women this results in elevated estrogen levels, which in turn causes increased fluid and salt retention, leading heavier menstrual flow, hence more cramping and pain. On occasion, some women who use alcohol to anesthesize themselves so that they not to feel or have to experience menstrual pain, will ultimately end up as alcoholics.

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamins and minerals that may be helpful:

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 100 mg of per day has been shown to help reduce menstrual cramping.
The combination of vitamin B3 (niacin), 200 mg daily throughout the menstrual cycle, then took 100 mg every two to three hours while experiencing menstrual cramps, Vitamin C 300 mg and 60 mg of the flavonoid rutin per day, has been reported to relieving menstrual cramps in 90% of women experiencing menstrual cramps.
Calcium 1,000 mg per daily adding an additional 250-500 mg of calcium every four hours for pain relief during acute cramping. No woman should exceed 2,000 mg total of calcium during any one day. Calcium helps to prevent menstrual cramps by preserving normal muscle tone. Muscles that are calcium-deficient often tend to be hyperactive and are more likely to cramp. Calcium in this large dosage is safe, but may cause constipation, therefore, it should be balanced with magnesium.
Magnesium 600-1000 mg daily can also play a role in controlling muscle tone and prevent menstrual cramps. Magnesium is a great laxative and should be balanced with calcium or increased form 200 mg daily over a 2 to 3 week period of time until a maximum of 1000 mg daily is reached.
Krill Oil has been found to reduce pain and reduced menstrual pain. Taking 2 grams Antarctic Krill Oil daily for one full month, then on a monthly basis starting Krill Oil eight days prior to the onset of the next menstrual period and continuing for two days after its onset the start of menstruation reduced abdominal pain reduces their use of other pain-relievers.
A combination of Omega-3 fatty acids (1,080 mg EPA and 720 mg DHA) approximately 6 grams of fish oils taken daily, along with 7.5 mcg of vitamin B12, taken daily has been reported to reduce menstrual symptoms by some 50%.
Vitamin E 400 IU per day, beginning two days before the expected start of menstruation and continuing through the first three days of bleeding.

Lifestyle changes may be helpful

Many women feel the need to lie still or avoid bright lights during the time they are experiencing their menstrual cramps. Others appear to find that exercise helps to relieve their pain. What works for one woman may not work for another, the variation from woman to woman is significant and suggests that each woman may have to find what works best for her. We encourage exploration as long as it does not worsen the pain or put the woman at risk for injury.

Medications and Hormonal Therapy

Many practitioners treat dysmenorrhea by putting women on birth control pills. This is generally okay, especially if contraception is appropriate. If not, then instead of potent synthetic estrogens and progestogens, natural (bio-identical) progesterone either orally or in a topic cream, 100 to 200 mg daily starting 3-5 days (or earlier, if necessary) prior to the onset of menstruation can be very helpful and safer.
Diuretics either prescription or natural food-based diuretics have been used for many years to reduce edema and salt load and hence menstrual cramping and pain associated with water retention. Many medical doctors use diuretics as a primary treatment, while others only when edema or water retention appears to be the main problem.