Pain- Free Periods : Homoeopathy For Dysmenorrhea Management

Abstract 

Dysmenorrhoea is a quite common symptom present in most women in clinics. Primary dysmenorrhoea is mostly confined to adolescents without any pelvic pathology, & secondary dysmenorrhoea is associated with various pelvic pathology. Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination & ultrasound. This condition can be successfully treated with various homoeopathic medicines.

Keywords- Dysmenorrhea, Pain Free Periods, Type, Cause, Investigation, Homoeopathic Management 

Introduction 

Dysmenorrhoea means painful menstruation. Pain during menstruation is considered a usual phenomenon which is tolerable & does not require any medical attention. But in some cases the pain is very severe & incapacitates the women from her day to day activities.

 Definition 

Dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstruation of sufficient magnitude so as to incapacitate the day-to-day activities.

Types of dysmenorrhoea 

1. Primary Dysmenorrhea: This type of dysmenorrhea occurs in the absence of any underlying pelvic pathology. It typically begins within a few years of menarche (the onset of menstruation) and is believed to result from increased prostaglandin production, leading to uterine muscle contractions and pain. Primary dysmenorrhea is confined almost exclusively to the ovulatory cycle and affects 15–25% of women. The pain normally lasts for the first one to two days after the menstrual cycle starts, or perhaps even sooner. 
2. Secondary Dysmenorrhea: Secondary dysmenorrhea is associated with underlying pelvic conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or anatomical abnormalities in the reproductive organs. The pain in secondary dysmenorrhea often worsens over time and may be accompanied by other symptoms suggestive of an underlying condition.

Cause of Dysmenorrhea 

1. Elevated Levels of Prostaglandins: 
2. Inflammatory Disorders:
3. Anatomical Abnormalities: 
4. Hormonal Imbalances:

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea

The degree of dysmenorrhea symptoms varies and can include:

1. Lower abdominal cramping or spasmodic pain, which can also extend to the thighs or lower back, is the primary symptom of dysmenorrhea. Usually starting either before or during menstruation, the discomfort is characterized as dull, throbbing, or colicky. The pain begins a few hours before or just with the onset of menstruation. The severity of pain usually lasts for a few hours, may extend to 24 hours but seldom persist beyond 48 hours.
2. Nausea and Vomiting: Some dysmenorrhea sufferers have gastrointestinal problems, nausea, or vomiting during their menstrual cycles, which can make their suffering worse.
3. Headaches and Fatigue: Dysmenorrhea can cause headaches, exhaustion, light-headedness, or episodes of fainting, especially when there is extreme pain or ongoing monthly bleeding.
4. Emotional Symptoms: People with dysmenorrhea may experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression as a result of hormonal variations related to menstruation 

Investigation

1)Transvaginal sonography: It can detect most of the pelvic pathology (fibroid, adenomyosis).

2) Saline infusion sonography: Submucous fibroid, polyps

3) Laparoscopy (endometriosis, PID): Useful for both diagnostic & therapeutic purposes.

4)Hysteroscopy: Useful for both diagnostic & 

therapeutic purposes.

Homoeopathic Management 

1. Actaea Racemosa

• Menses may be delayed or suppressed There is often an intense muscular aching preceding the menses. Rheumatic dysmenorrhoea. There is shooting, darting pains through the pelvis & a bearing down sensation.It is frequently indicated in hysterical epileptic condition at the menstrual period with hypochondriacal melancholia & congestive dysmenorrhoea. 

2. Belladonna

• Cramp or labour like pain, bearing down sensation as if the pelvic organ will come out. Pain comes on suddenly & usually short attacks with redness of face & eyes Bleeding is profuse, bright red with clots. Associated with headache & heated sensation in head.

3. Chamomilla

• Pain is unbearable, drives me to despair.< From heat, evening before midnight, open air, anger. > from warm. The patient is irritable, cross, aversion to talking, answers peevishly.

4. Cocculus

• Cramping, cutting, pressing pain in the pelvic region worse from every movement as of sharp stones. During menstruation the patient is so weak, scarcely able to stand Headache in nape & occiput, extending to spine with nausea at each menstrual period.

5. Colocynthis

• Suppression of the menses due to anger Abdominal pain causing patient to bend, relief > by strong pressure. Pain is worse after eating or drinking. Patient extremely irritable, impatient.

6. Magnesia phosphorica

• Menstrual pain relieved by pressure, heat & after beginning of flow. Menstrual flow dark, string & worse in the right side &before the bleeding .Pains are sharp, cutting, lightning like in coming & going 

7. Pulsatilla Nigricans

• Menstruation delayed & scanty. In dysmenorrhoea pains are violent with bearing down. pressure in abdomen & sacral region.< Worm room & > in the open air.Patient is pale, anaemic, constantly chilly, tearful & yielding disposition.

8. Sabina

• Menses early, profuse, prolonged; partly fluid & partly Clotted. Flow in paroxysms; with colic & labor like pains; pains from back to pubis. Pain worse from least motion.

9. Secale Cornutum

• Menses: irregular; copious, dark fluid; with pressing, labor-like pains in abdomen; continuous discharge of watery blood until next period. Women of very lax muscular fibre; everything seems loose & open vessels flabby; passive haemorrhage.

10. Sepia

• It is very useful medicine for dysmenorrhoea with scanty flow. Violent stitches upward in the vagina; lancinating pains from uterus to umbilicus. Pelvic pain & bearing down sensation, pain extends from other parts to the back, attending with shuddering.

Conclusion

With a focus on customized treatment depending on the patient’s symptoms and constitution, homoeopathy provides a comprehensive approach to addressing dysmenorrhea. Existing data and clinical experience indicate that homoeopathy may be useful supplement or alternative to conventional medicines for women looking for natural and better solutions for menstrual pain alleviation, even if more research is required to definitively confirm its efficacy.