There are many positive and negative effects of women’s menstrual cycles. Some positive effects are production of life and regulation of hormones. Some negative effects are low back and abdominal pain, mood swings and food cravings. Although there have been many studies about menstrual pain, there have been few solutions.
Dysmenorrhea is defined as “muscular cramps that cause abdominal and low back pain during the menstrual cycle.” Dysmenorrhea is caused by a surge of prostaglandins, which are proteins that are used to promote uterine contraction. (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, January 2011) Some women have hormonal tides greater than average, which causes greater pain. The pain is centered about the abdomen, but can radiate to the low back and buttocks. The process is necessary, but the pain is not.
So, what should you do about the pain? There are many treatments for chronic menstrual pain, but no known cure. Women have described the pain as excruciating to the point of interfering with their normal daily activities or crippling and leaving them bedridden for a day. Dysmenorrhea is responsible for significant absenteeism from work, and it is the most common reason for school absence among adolescent girls. (Holder MD, Andre E-Medicine, Dec. 31, 2009)
To relieve symptoms, some women use prescription or over-the-counter medications, thermotherapy and yoga. Many of the prescription medicines offer powerful relief from the symptoms of low back pain, but with powerful side effects.
Although chiropractic care will not “cure” menstrual symptoms, it can relieve them and without side effects. This care may include manipulative therapy, physical therapy, thermotherapy, acupressure, massage therapy and nutritional counseling. In addition to following the chiropractor’s instructions, there are two specific things women can do to decrease the pain associated with menstrual cycles:
• Drink more water. Dehydration is a significant factor in the pain of the menstrual cycle, and drinking more water before the onset of your menstrual cycle can dramatically decrease your pain.
• Limit caffeine. Avoiding triggers, such as caffeine and chocolate, before your menses will also decrease painful cycles.
Women don’t need to suffer in silence when there are steps that can be taken to ease the pain. –dr. d. giovonni jones
D. Giovonni Jones, B.S., D.C., is a licensed chiropractor and owns the Aventine Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic. For more information go to www.aventineinjury.com, or call (404) 767-5252.
