Menstrual Disorders - Treatment

The absorption of non-heme iron often depends on the food balances in meals. The following are foods that enhance absorption of non-heme iron.

Meat and fish not only contain heme iron--the best form for maintaining stores, but they also help absorb non-heme iron.
Increasing intake of vitamin C rich foods can enhance absorption of non-heme iron during a single meal. In any case, vitamin C rich foods are healthful and include broccoli, cabbage, citrus fruits, melon, tomatoes, and strawberries. One orange or six ounces of orange juice can double the amount of iron your body absorbs from plant foods. (Taking vitamin C supplements does not appear to have any significant effect on iron stores.)

text continues below

Exercise

A review of individual studies revealed a reduction in menstrual pain with exercise. It is not clear, however, how intense the exercise should be to reduce dysmenorrhea. For example young female athletes in a 2001 Croatian study were only half as likely to suffer from dysmenorrhea as their non-active peers. However, they were also three times more likely to experience an absence of periods. Exercise may be very helpful for women with menstrual pain due to endometriosis. It relieves stress and tension and may reduce hormonal levels that could contribute to endometrial growth.

Other Lifestyle Measures

Sexual Activity. There have been reports that orgasm reduces the severity of menstrual cramps.

Applying Heat. A 2001 study found that continuously applying a heated abdominal pad for 12 hours two days in a row was as effective in reducing menstrual cramps as ibuprofen (Advil). A warm bath may also be helpful.

Menstrual Hygiene. Tampons should be changed every four to six hours. Scented pads and tampons should be avoided; feminine deodorants can irritate the genital area. Women should not douche during or between periods. Women who douche on a weekly basis are more likely to contract cervical cancer than those who do not. Douching may destroy the natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial agents normally present in the vagina. Bathing regularly is sufficient.

Alternative Remedies

Acupuncture and Acupressure. Some studies, including a small well-conducted trial, have reported relief from pelvic pain after acupuncture or acupressure, a technique that applies small pins or pressure to specific points on the body. It is believed to work by exciting nerve receptors in those locations that interact with pain blockers in the brain.

Some women report relief with reflexology, an acupuncture technique that uses manual pressure on acupuncture points on the ears, hands, and feet.