Dysmenorrhoea(Painful periods)

Painful periods are very common. Many women have some pain in their lower abdomen (tummy) during their periods, and you may feel this is a normal part of life. The pain sometimes comes in intense spasms, while at other times it may be dull but more constant. Period pain happens when the muscular wall of the womb tightens (contracts). Mild contractions continually occur in your womb, but they’re usually so mild that most women cannot feel them. Adolescent girls are more likely than older women to have primary dysmenorrhoea because the condition can get better with age.

One review found promising evidence supporting the use of Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea.

Another study found acupuncture might reduce menstrual pain and associated symptoms more effectively compared to no treatment or NSAIDs, and the efficacy could be maintained during a short-term follow-up period.

Zhu  X, Proctor  M, Bensoussan  A, Wu  E, Smith  CA. Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005288. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005288.pub3.

Woo HL, Ji HR, Pak YK, et al. The efficacy and safety of acupuncture in women with primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(23):e11007. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011007