WeAreEndo.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Endometriosis

Fight the pain the right way

June 23rd, 2009 by Valerie Chavez

Millions of
women across the globe suffer from several menstrual problems and while they
can’t be completely avoided, there are many things you can do to ease the
pain and discomfort. The most common menstrual problems women face today
are:



Menorrahgia: A condition when there is an abnormal increase in
bleeding.



Polymenorrhea: When a patient has frequent menses.




Oligomenorrhea: When the female suffers decreased /scanty bleeding.




Delayed menstrual cycle.



According to gynaecologist, Dr
Anjum Sayyed, some of the most common symptoms that women face during the
menstrual cycle are Dysmenorrhea, which is a condition when a woman experiences
cramps in the abdomen during the menstrual cycle, headaches, mood changes,
vomiting, fever, giddiness and leg cramps. “There are various ways to
overcome these problems like a balanced diet, exercise, adequate vitamin
supplements, and hormonal treatment,” says Dr. Sayyed.




“Birth control pills are composed of low dosages of female
hormones, which create a false alarm of pregnancy and stop the ovaries from
releasing new eggs. Some hormones included in the pill help hold the endometrium
together, and also maintain other tissues. The pills today include a seven day
period during which, no hormones are taken so levels will drop and the
endometrium flushes out of the body in a menstrual cycle. Birth control pills
affect the menstrual cycle by decreasing the bleeding, decreasing dysmenorrhea
and regularising it.”



Your diet also plays a large role
in determining hormonal and menstrual health. “If your body is depleted in
nutrients, you will have a difficult time maintaining balance both physically
and emotionally,” says dietician, Mehar Panjwani. “Certain dietary
guidelines are ideal for the continuing wellbeing of all women, but particularly
for those who suffer from Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), endometriosis and
dysmenorrheal, fibroids, cysts, PID and an irregular cycle. As a general
guideline, you need to give yourself at least three months on your new diet to
allow for any health changes.”



Lay more emphasis on
whole foods (brown rice instead of white rice and brown flour rather than white
flour) and minimally processed foods

. Opt for more organically produced foods
and make fresh vegetables the mainstay of your diet. Legumes like lentils,
kidney beans, chick peas, lima beans, black beans, split peas, seeds, nuts and
seasonal fruits should be taken in plenty since they are a good source of
vitamins and fibre and will ensure adequate intake of vitamin B6, vitamin E,
magnesium and potassium oils.



Try and use unrefined oils like olive
oil (virgin only), safflower oil and sesame oil for every day use. Particularly
rich sources of EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) are flaxseed (linseed), evening
primrose, and the oil in fatty fish. Make sure you drink lots of water since it
flushes out toxins from the body and helps prevents premenstrual headaches,
which are related to dehydration. Go in for soups or blenderised not strained
vegetable juices.

Besides being careful about your diet, it’s
also important that you avoid alcohol, smoking, spicy foods, caffeinated drinks,
refined and processed foods. Cut down on your salt and sugar intake, too.
Include brisk walking and weight training in your daily routine — it will
help regularize the secretion of all the hormones responsible for menstruation
thereby minimising the menstrual disorders,” ends Mehar Panjwani.


LINK: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lifestyle/Fight-the-pain-the-right-way/articleshow/4687700.cms