Menstrual Problems — There Are Solutions

by Amy Day, ND

Have you ever gone to your GYN and the only thing they could offer you was the birth control pill? Are you looking for other ways to manage your cramps? PMS? Heavy bleeding? Irregular cycles? PCOS? Endometriosis? Though the pill may be the best choice for certain women, many women would prefer to have other options. Naturopathic medicine offers many solutions that can fill the gap between doing nothing and taking the pill.

Diet
Many menstrual disorders can be improved by modifying the diet. This could mean eliminating common triggers such as sugar, caffeine, salt and alcohol. Food sensitivities can cause a worsening of symptoms. Many women have IBS or poor digestion and are unable to appropriately absorb nutrients or eliminate waste. Starting with a hypoallergenic diet and digestive cleanse is an excellent way to explore the effects that diet can have on your symptoms.

Exercise
Movement is a key ingredient to health. Getting regular exercise throughout the month plays a large role in how you feel when your period comes. Numerous studies have proved that 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise lifts your mood and reduces bloating that often accompanies PMS. For overall health, aim for a balance of aerobic, weight bearing and stretching exercises. 

Stress Management
Your body responds directly to the way you live your day-to-day life. Are you a stress junky? Many women notice a significant difference in their health when they are able to manage their stress effectively. This could mean learning to recognize stress triggers, changing how you respond to them, and adding stress-relieving practices to your regular routine such as exercise, yoga or meditation.

Herbs and Nutritional Supplements
Depending on your particular symptom picture, certain herbs and supplements can help to balance hormones, decrease inflammation and pain, and support a healthy menstrual cycle. Calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, fish oil, evening primrose oil, ground flaxseeds, chaste tree berry, black cohosh and crampbark are among the most useful.

Natural Hormones
When hormones are needed, we prescribe natural hormones rather than the synthetic ones found in prescription birth control pills. These are identical to what your body produces and are generally much better tolerated. We are able to individually adjust the dose and exact type of hormone to fit with your particular needs.

How to Begin
If you would like some help to tackle your period problems, please call. We will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan based on a thorough history and any appropriate lab tests. We also offer annual GYN exams and PAP tests. Working together, we can help you stay on track and make significant improvements in all areas of your health. 

Dr. Amy Day is a specialist in natural treatment options for endometriosis. This March, in honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Dr. Day encourages any woman who has or thinks she may have endo to call for a free 15-minute phone consultation.