#menstrual cramps

Making Periods Better Series: #2

HEAVY CRAMPING & BLEEDING because of uterine position:

First of all, what does uterine position mean?  Start by reading here.  Your uterus can be tilted forward or backward or side to side, and that can be doing a few things, like make it harder for your uterine muscle to cramp down & expel the uterine lining, or it might be decreasing blood flow to one or both ovaries which reduces their ability to function well & release the right hormones at the right times.

• Mayan Abdominal Massage is a type of external abdominal massage that is said to bring the uterus back into position, releasing the tension on the ligaments & improving period cramps/bleeding, fertility, and postpartum healing.  There has not been any research on this modality, so I can’t give you percentages or solid information, but anecdotally people find a lot of relief from it.  Find a provider near you by googling or searching here.
  
• Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that uses very fine needles to stimulate nerve pathways and improve blood flow to certain areas of the body, which can in turn improve all sorts of things, especially cramping & mental health menstrual symptoms like anxiety/depression/moodiness, etc.  Acupuncture has a lot of research to back it up.  Sources: X,X,X,X,X,X,X,X,X.
• Red Raspberry Leaf is an herb that is completely full of incredible nutrients, so is generally great for your body, but also specifically has an alkaloid called Fragarine, which is known to strengthen the uterus.  [Source: X,X,X,X] Not only does it strengthen the uterus, but it also improves the coordination of uterine muscle, which makes each contraction of the muscle more efficient.  If you have discussed this herb with a healthcare practitioner & together you decide it’s a good idea to try, it can be taken by capsule or infusion. For the infusion, take 1 oz of dried herb and add 1 qt of boiling water to steep x4hrs or overnight. Drink 1-3 cups daily.  As a supplement, I recommend 400-500mg daily.

Always talk to a healthcare provider before deciding to do something that might affect your health, whether that’s a pharmaceutical medication or an herbal one.

[Now remember, this series is specifically about non-hormonal methods.  If you’re interested in learning about hormonal birth control & how it can help, search my blog here.]

Making Periods Better Series: #1| Making Periods Better Series: #3

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is an herb that comes from a flowering plant from the daisy family. Both the fresh and dried flowers of chamomile have been used to create teas for centuries to cure a number of health problems. The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, which has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.

• Chamomile is a wonderful cure for migraines. Take a cup of tea when you start noticing the symptoms of a migraine headache. It works best if you take it before the headache actually gets severe. 
• It is also a wonderful remedy for sleep disorders such as insomnia.
• Drinking chamomile tea has been found to be beneficial in treating PMS and menstrual cramps.

As with all herbal products, moderation is the key to avoiding adverse reactions. Some of the potential side effects of chamomile include drowsiness, so use it with caution if you are driving or operating machinery.