For most young women, menstruation begins sometime between the ages of eleven and fifteen. Every twenty-one to thirty-five days during her reproductive years, a healthy woman’s ovaries will release an egg. If the egg is not fertilized, the woman will shed the lining of her uterus about two weeks later. This shedding is known as menstruation. A woman’s monthly menstrual flow normally lasts three to seven days; the entire menstrual cycle continues until menopause, which usually occurs during the forties or fifties.
Although menstruation itself should not necessarily be painful, as many as two thirds of menstruating women say that they experience some sort of difficulty or pain each month with their menstrual cycle, such as menstrual cramps or heavy or prolonged bleeding. Other common menstrual problems include scant, late, or irregular periods.
MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
Painful periods, or dysmenorrhea, commonly involve abdominal and back pain; sometimes diarrhea, headaches, nausea, nervousness, and vomiting accompany cramps as well. Medical researchers are not certain about the cause of cramping, but many believe that high levels of prostaglandins, which are hormones secreted by the uterine lining, may be involved. These hormones affect the smooth muscle of the uterus, causing an increase in uterine contractions. In addition, when the uterus swells and constricts in
spasms, it restricts blood flow into the pelvic region and diminishes the supply of oxygen to those tissues. This can contribute to cramping.
If your periods are extremely painful, consult your physician about the possibility of an underlying health problem. Pay attention to diet, especially to adequate levels of dietary fiber and fluids, which promote regularity (constipation often exaggerates the pain of menstrual cramps). Avoid sugar, fats (especially cooked fats), and any other foods that cause gas or make the lower abdomen uncomfortable; avoid alcohol and caffeine. This is especially important the week before menstruation. A regular exercise program is also beneficial. However, during the time you are experiencing cramps, take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise. Instead, do yoga or light stretching or take a walk.
Aromatherapy can help minimize menstrual pain by easing cramps, regulating menstrual cycles, and soothing the emotions. It can also help relieve the symptoms of PMS. Basil, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, fennel, ginger, helichrysum, juniper, marjoram, peppermint, rose, and ylang ylang oils help relieve pain, reduce swelling, and soothe the muscle spasms of cramps.
Several days before the anticipated onset of your period, begin bathing daily in Cramp Relief Bath. Repeat as often as necessary to reduce cramps. Apply Menstrual Cramp Massage Oil to your abdomen and back starting several days prior to your period, before pain and cramping begin, if possible. To relieve cramping, apply a Cramp- Soothing
Compress to your abdomen as needed.
The aromatherapy blends that follow are essential oil formulas you can prepare at home.
Cramp Relief Bath
5 drops marjoram oil
2 drops ylang ylang oil 1 drop fennel oil
1 drop rose oil
Disperse the oils in a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak in the bath for twenty to thirty minutes. Repeat as necessary.
Menstrual Cramp Massage Oil
2 ounces carrier oil
6 drops chamomile oil 6 drops marjoram oil 4 drops ylang ylang oil
3 drops cypress oil
3 drops helichrysum oil
Place the carrier oil in a clean container, add the essential oils, and blend by gently turning the container upside down several times or rolling it between your hands. Massage the oil over your abdomen and back as necessary.
Cramp-Soothing Compress
1 quart cool water
2 drops marjoram oil 1 drop chamomile oil 1 drop helichrysum oil 1 drop juniper oil
Pour the water into a two-quart glass bowl and add the essential oils. Soak a clean cloth in the water and apply it to your abdomen. Repeat as necessary.
Rose Cramp Relief Oil
1/2 ounce carrier oil 6 drops rose oil
Place the carrier oil in a clean container. Add the rose oil and blend. Beginning several days before the anticipated onset of your period, massage the oil over your abdomen and back. Repeat as necessary.
Fast Acne Natural Treatment
Charles Silverman N.D., a Naturalist and Herbalist since 1979, His articles are
published on several web sites like ezinearticles.com and naturalhealthweb.com
and he is regularly interviewed by various publications and newspapers like the
Montgomery News of Alabama. All his knowledge has been transferred to his web
site and now to this amazing book, that takes advantage of the latest technology
in order to bring you the most complete guide for home healing ever made.
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