Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, menstrual cramps can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month. During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone-like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more-severe menstrual cramps. Severe contractions may constrict the blood vessels feeding the uterus. The resulting pain can be compared to the chest pain that occurs when blocked blood vessels starve portions of the heart of food and oxygen.

Causes

• Endometriosis

• Uterine fibroids

• Adenomyosis

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

• Cervical stenosis

Symptoms

• Throbbing or cramping pain in your lower abdomen

• Dull, constant ache

• Pain that radiates to your lower back and thighs

• Nausea

• Loose stools

• Headache

• Dizziness

Role of Homeopathy

Homeopathy has a promising role to play in cases of dysmenorrhea. Homeopathic treatments are known to reduce the severity of the pain as well as to treat the cause, whenever possible. Every patient with dysmenorrhea may present with a different set of individual symptoms, which are carefully noted while deciding the homeopathic line of treatment. Homeopathic treatment is strongly suggested.