Homeopathy for Menstrual Cramps
It’s estimated that 50%-70% of all women experience some degree of period pain and cramping. Do you dread your monthly cycle due to painful cramps? A woman’s uterus must shed its lining each month, and this job requires uterine contractions. As the uterus contracts, blood vessels that supply the uterus become constricted, reducing blood flow – sometimes painfully. For some women, the hormonal changes that trigger menstruation may be more pronounced, causing the uterus to contract even more vigorously and more painfully. Happily, homeopathy can help.
Remember - the key to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is always the same. One must match the “characteristic symptoms” (i.e., unusual or peculiar), the specific symptoms being addressed. Choosing a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms which have presented, you should have a happy outcome every time. Here is a list of the homeopathic remedies most often recommended for menstrual cramping.
Belladonna
A woman needing this homeopathic remedy will generally feel throbbing pains that can be worse on the right side. The cramping often comes on very suddenly and violently. There can be a sensation of fullness in the uterus as well. The flow is often profuse, bright red and at times, gushing. Motion of any kind will exacerbate the pain.
Cactus grandifolia
Someone needing this homeopathic remedy suffers with extremely painful cramps – the cramps feel as though there is a tight, gripping band across the abdomen. In some cases, your patient will actually cry out with pain. The flow tends to be clotted - with pain as each clot is passed. There may also be throbbing pain near the ovary.
Chamomilla
A woman needing this homeopathic remedy will experience intense, labor-like pain with the flow. The pain can be felt extending down the inner thighs. The flow itself is often profuse, dark and clotted with occasional gushing of bright red blood. Patients needing this remedy are often hypersensitive to pain and exceptionally irritable and cranky. They often feel better from rocking and from cold applications and worse while lying in bed.
Colocynthis
Someone needing this homeopathic remedy will experience cramping that is less painful if they bend double or put hard pressure on the painful area (this is a keynote for this remedy). The pain may be so intense that they vomit. This patient may also be irritable and cranky. They are often worse from anger and from lying on the painless side.
Magnesia Phosphorica
Many consider this the pre-eminent remedy for period cramps – if the picture fits... a woman needing this remedy will have cramping pain that is particularly relieved by heat and, to a lesser degree, pressure. Most of the painful cramping occurs before the onset of menses – with relief coming with the flow. Hot baths typically bring relief.
Nux Vomica
Someone needing this homeopathic remedy will have the classic Nux vomica picture – irritable, impatient, easily offended and chilly (this last point being perhaps more pronounced with the pain). The cramping can at times extend over the whole body and they may also feel an urge for a bowel movement with each painful cramp.
Dosage
Dose with either a 30C or 200C potency to start - placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously and taking teaspoon doses as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins and only redose if symptoms again worsen. As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your condition as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.
Remember, the key to choosing the correct remedy is always the same: match the characteristic symptoms to the remedy with the most similar characteristics. If you try a few remedies but with disappointing results, don’t give up! Follow up with a visit to a professional homeopath in order to professionally evaluate your symptoms and determine the appropriate remedy that's best for you.
For Further Reading: Resources for further research into this topic include:
• “Homeopathic Medicine for Painful Periods | Painful Menses" is an article further describing this topic, found at: https://www.lybrate.com/topic/treat-painful-periods-with-homeopathy/654e949c5bc2103a3d5789ff5f1710bb
• Medical News Today has published an article,” How to get rid of cramps with 8 home remedies” to be found at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324484
• The article "10 Home Remedies to Relieve Menstrual Cramps" by EverydayHealth.com is at https://www.everydayhealth.com/treatment/womens-health/ways-to-relieve-period-cramps/