Dysmenorrhea

Also known as:  Dysmenorrhoea;  Menstrual Cramps;  Period Pain

Dysmenorrhea is Painful Menstruation, including Menstrual Cramps.  It is regarded as a symptom rather than as a disease.

 Up to 50% of menstruating women experience Dysmenorrhea.  Of these women, approximately 10% experience severe Dysmenorrhea that significantly interferes with activity on one to three days of each month.

 Dysmenorrhea usually first occurs during adolescence and often lessens with age and after Pregnancy.

Amino Acids

 Phenylalanine (especially the DL-Phenylalanine form) may alleviate the Pain associated with Dysmenorrhea (however Phenylalanine has no effect on the underlying cause of Dysmenorrhea).  ^[1]

Lipids

 Forskolin may be useful for the treatment of Dysmenorrhea.  ^[2]

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids may prevent and treat Dysmenorrhea (by preventing the excessive production of Prostaglandin E2 and Prostaglandin F2 alpha).  ^[3]

 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) may prevent and treat Dysmenorrhea.  ^[4]

Minerals

 Calcium may alleviate Dysmenorrhea.  ^[5]

 Magnesium (400 - 1,000 mg per day) may alleviate Dysmenorrhea (especially when Magnesium is administered together with Vitamin B6).  ^[6]

 Manganese may alleviate Dysmenorrhea.  ^[7]

Prescribed Medications

 Aspirin may alleviate the Pain associated with Dysmenorrhea.

   Dydrogesterone (a Progestin) is often prescribed for the treatment of Dysmenorrhea.

 Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed in the treatment of Dysmenorrhea.  Drugs from this class include:

 Meclofenamate

 Mefenamic Acid

 Ibuprofen

 Ketoprofen

 Naproxen

 Caution:  NSAIDs block the body's production of beneficial Prostaglandins, as well as blocking its production of detrimental Prostaglandins.

Polyphenols

 Anthocyanidins (115 mg of Bilberry Anthocyanidins per day taken for three days prior to Menstruation and during Menstruation) may alleviate the symptoms of Dysmenorrhea (including pelvic and lumbosacral Pain, Breast tension, Headache and Nausea).  ^[8]

 Pycnogenol may alleviate Dysmenorrhea.  ^[9]

Vitamins

 Vitamin B1 (100 mg per day) may reduce the Pain associated with Dysmenorrhea.  ^[10]