menstrual cramps information

Menstrual cramping, known as “dysmenorrhea,” is a painful affliction that accompanies menstruation in approximately 50 percent of women. As the lining of the uterus (endometrium) begins breaking down during menstruation, dying tissues release hormones called prostaglandins into the blood stream. Prostaglandins cause the muscles of the uterus to contract as they force the endometrial material through the cervix and the vagina. As pieces of the uterine lining pass through the cervix, pressure from contracting muscles may cause pain in the uterus. Most menstrual cramps last from 15 to 90 seconds and generally start in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Pain can be continuous or periodic and usually lasts for 2-4 days.
Acupressure for Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps affect more than 50 percent of women worldwide and more than 15 percent suffer from severe cramping that limits physical activity. Acupressure can reduce the pain associated with menstrual cramps and provide a natural form of relief.

Herbal Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

Herbalists often recommend blood-moving herbs if the cramps are accompanied by a sluggish or scanty flow, or antispas...

Cramp Bark Herbal Remedies

True to its name, cramp bark is an important remedy for cramps of the smooth muscle (especially for menstrual cramps)...

Menstrual pain, Dysmenorrhea

Menstrual pain is a common gynecological complaint in adolescents, but the majority of cases are not associated with ...

Cramp Bark - Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

Cramp bark () is a deciduous tree or shrub that is native to Europe and the eastern United States. It is a member of ...

Menstruation - Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

Menstruation refers to the monthly discharge through the vagina of the blood and tissues that were laid down in the u...

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