Naturopathic Care for Menstrual Health Disorders

Complaining about pain or discomfort related to period problems is a nearly universal experience that women who menstruate share and do a round-table discussion about. Naturopathic medicine disputes the notion that these symptoms and conditions are normal. Common, yes, but not normal. Finding and resolving the underlying imbalance that caused your menstrual disorder so that you can have healthy, comfortable, emotionally-stable periods as you grow older is possible!

Undeniably, menstrual complaints are broad, associated with physical and emotional symptoms that may affect your daily activities and mood. More often than not, menstrual health complaints are incorrectly categorized as manifestations of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is just one out of the wide array of conditions that affect women every cycle.

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​Why You Should Care for Your Menstrual Health (Recap!)

​Menstrual health is a vital aspect of our well-being that we, women, are responsible to take care of as we grow older. Problems in our menstrual health not only affect the entirety of our physical health, as these come with social and emotional impacts that may affect our productivity and relationships with other people. Since menstruation is a normal process that our bodies undergo to prepare for pregnancy, targeting the root cause of your menstrual health problems is vital in reducing the burden that you will inevitably have to experience every cycle. Optimal practices to nurture your mental health and care for your vagina can be learned here.  

​Common Menstrual Health Issues
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Menstrual health disorders could begin as early as your first period and worsen into your adult life as you become preoccupied with stressors and challenges, further exacerbating symptoms. Every month, menstrual disorders reduce your ability to concentrate, disturb academic or work commitments, and affect daily activities. Despite such effects, only a few seek medical help while most women who menstruate choose to self-medicate, which could be dangerous and has even led to liver failure in people as young as highschool- and college-age. It is a concerning reality that menstrual problems are often perceived as normal and not seen as needing medical attention. Medical help is often only sought when symptoms become unbearable. This lack of attention may be related to some people still perceiving menstruation as a taboo that is not meant to be discussed publicly.₁​

• Amenorrhea
  • Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhea occurs when a female child has not had her first period by the age of 15, while secondary amenorrhea is when menses is absent for three or more months at any point after menarche (first period). Low body weight, genetic or ovarian problems, excessive exercise, or intake of certain medications during childhood are commonly associated with primary amenorrhea, while stress, illness, nutrition, and imbalance in estrogen levels are linked to secondary amenorrhea. Generally, amenorrhea is considered normal during pregnancy and menopause. However, not being able to menstruate becomes a problem if it occurs between puberty and menopause and is not caused by pregnancy or breastfeeding. 
• Dysmenorrhea
  • Dysmenorrhea is a severe menstrual cramp which naturally occurs during your period as a result of the contractions within your uterus to squeeze blood vessels and facilitate shedding of the uterine lining when pregnancy does not take place. However, severe or excessive cramps may signify uterine, ovarian, or hormonal problems that may affect your fertility when not promptly managed.
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding may be classified into heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) primarily due to hormonal problems with the uterus or bleeding in between your periods (metrorrhagia) as a result of conditions such as endometriosis, uterine mass, uterine cancer, or PCOS or other hormone imbalances. 
• PMS/PMDD
  • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) occurs when you experience physical and psychological symptoms such as headache, nausea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, anxiety, and depression during the last weeks of your menstrual cycle. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), on the other hand, is the most severe form of PMS which can greatly impair overall functioning and quality of life. Having these symptoms may affect your daily activities and relationships with others. Supporting your body’s inherent ability to maintain balance through natural approaches can help minimize these discomforts, preventing a monthly cycle of fear and pain.

​Allopathic Options

The allopathic management of menstrual health disorders generally focuses on relieving symptoms, rather than targeting the root cause of the problem. This may be done through taking analgesics for discomfort and pain, hormonal pills to regulate estrogen and progesterone levels, or even major surgery to remove reproductive organs! Although very important in managing menstrual health problems, your go-to pain relievers only provide temporary relief. Hence, managing the underlying problem should be your first priority.. Another problem faced with these strategies is self-medication, which may cause problems to your long-term health when not properly monitored by your healthcare provider.   

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The Naturopathic Approach

The naturopathic approach focuses on targeting the root causes of your menstrual health problems, ultimately aiming to restore a normal menstrual cycle, regulate hormones, improve quality of life, and establish lasting, whole-person health. This is done through identifying your personal triggers and how best to avoid them, regulating the connection between the processes that produce hormones in the body, reducing inflammation, and empowering your choices for your menstrual health.
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Helps Regulate Hormones & Insulin Sensitivity

Supports Hormone Balance & Regular Cycles

Helps Reduce Heavy Flow
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Nutrition and Physical Activity

Nurturing your menstrual health begins with making conscious decisions about food and lifestyle. Eating meals packed with the right nutrients and avoiding food that triggers inflammation can help reduce pain. Learning to use skills like Intuitive Eating can help you learn to nourish your body (without counting calories) while reducing symptoms of menstrual disorders.  Supplementing your diet with calcium and magnesium, when necessary, is also an effective approach to minimize your symptoms.

Engaging in regular physical activities also helps you become more active and at the same time helps regulate your hormone levels. Generally, at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercises three to five times a week can help reduce your PMS symptoms, such as nausea, headache, abdominal cramps, bloating, and back pain!₂​

Botanical Medicine
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• Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris). Famous for having astringent properties, lady’s mantle is an effective herbal remedy to minimize bleeding especially during your period days. Additionally, this herb has been used for centuries to promote fertility.
• Dong quai (Angelica sinensis). Used traditional Chinese medicine, this herb helps in managing amenorrhea (no period) and irregular menstruation.
• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, shatavari is famous for enhancing your sexual appetite, while having beneficial properties in promoting fertility and preventing miscarriage. Interestingly, the roots of shatavari have been used for centuries to promote sperm production and sexual stamina. 
• Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). Helpful in regulating menstrual bleeding, this herb acts to restore suppressed menses, preventing infertility and supporting the uterus throughout the monthly cycle.
• Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). We all heard of this famous tasty snack! Liquorice actually helps manage polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This herb additionally supports your adrenal health, thereby regulating your stress levels. But remember, Glycyrrhiza can elevate blood pressure and might not be appropriate for everyone. 

It is important to remember that the use of herbal remedies for your health should be properly screened, regulated, and monitored by your healthcare providers, as many of those used for menstrual and fertility problems are not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Exploring the best herbal remedies for your health and preference is best done with the guidance of your naturopathic doctor. Don’t forget to update your naturopathic doctor about your health decisions and pregnancy/breastfeeding status!

BECOME A CLIENT

​Nurturing Your Menstrual Health

​Your menstrual cycle is unique and different from other women, precisely why it is important to make conscious decisions for your health. Not to worry! Your naturopathic doctors are committed to guide you as you walk the path to wellness, working with you to find the best options for your menstrual health. Discover the naturopathic approach for your menstrual health today!


REFERENCE:     1. Igbokwe And UC, John-Akinola YO. KNOWLEDGE OF MENSTRUAL DISORDERS AND HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA. Ann Ib Postgrad Med. 2021;19(1):40-48.
     2. Ravichandran H, Janakiraman B. Effect of Aerobic Exercises in Improving Premenstrual Symptoms Among Healthy Women: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Womens Health. 2022;14:1105-1114. Published 2022 Aug 16. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S371193