Putting an End to Period Pain

The TCM Treatment of Dysmenorrhea

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is well known for effectively treating pain conditions like arthritic knees and sore backs but many are surprised that TCM is extremely effective at treating common gynaecological problems such as dysmenorrhea.

Painful periods (or dysmenorrhea) affect over 50% of menstruating females and is indicated by the presence of sharp or dull, painful cramps which can be intermittent or constant in the low abdomen or back before, during or after the period. Many females will live with this discomfort and never seek medical attention; believing that the pain is something they just have to live with. Some women are so incapacitated by the pain that missing work or school every month is a common occurrence.

What is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea can be classified into two categories; primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is when there is no known cause for the pain (idiopathic). Secondary dysmenorrhea is when there is an underlying cause to the pain such as endometriosis (the most common cause), pelvic inflammatory disease or from a structural abnormality in the uterus.

Western Medical Treatments for Dysmenorrhea

The most common medical treatments for dysmenorrhea are the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, Motrin etc). If women are also interested in contraception, then the birth control pill can be prescribed which has also shown to be effective. The problem is that many of these treatments are aimed at symptomatic relief rather than long-term management of the conditions. In addition, these treatment’s side effects have aroused increasing concern. An increasing number of women are interested in more than just masking the pain and are looking for solutions which will treat the root of the problem safely and naturally.

How TCM views Dysmenorrhea

Within the framework of TCM, menstruation plays a very important role in a females health and is talked about freely and openly. TCM practitioners are able to gain tremendous insight into a females general health just by observing their menstrual cycle carefully. TCM practitioners are mostly concerned about the women’s length of cycle, the amount of bleeding, the colour and quality of the blood and if there is any pain involved. An imbalance is usually involved if a woman’s period is irregular, is always heavy or scanty, if there is pain (just to name a few). With the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, these imbalances can be corrected which will ultimately regulate the period and in the case of dysmenorrhea, stop the pain.

TCM Causes of Dysmenorrhea

There are many different causes of painful menstruation when it comes to traditional Chinese medicine. It should be noted that all cases of dysmenorrhea are looked at individually despite similar symptoms in different individuals and may be treated with completely different herbs or acupuncture points. This is why it is so important that when you go to a TCM practitioner, you go to someone with appropriate training.

Note: When working with a proper TCM practitioner, you will find that they will use unfamiliar medical terminology when describing your health condition. Wind, Dampness, Qi (chee) stagnation and Yang deficiency are just a few of the common descriptive terms used. Initially they seem strange but when used in a TCM context, they paint a picture of harmony (or disharmony) which will ultimately guide the TCM practitioner to choose the correct acupuncture points or the right combination of herbs.

The following are TCM diagnosis of dysmenorrhea along with common signs and symptoms. Some females will fit perfectly within the pattern described but most will be a combination of 2-3 patterns.

Liver Qi Stagnation: very common diagnosis. Mostly involves PMS symptoms like irritability, depression, breast distension and a dull low abdominal pain.

Blood Stagnation: symptoms usually involve severe, stabbing low abdomen or back pain with a dark flow and clots.

Cold Dampness: typically involves late periods with menstrual pain that is cold and sharp and improves with the application of heat.

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency: painful periods with accompanying low back and knee pain with a light flow.

Qi & Blood Deficiency: often a light and short period with pain typically coming after the period is over.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Both acupuncture and Chinese herbs are necessary for the successful treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Acupuncture is a very safe and effective way to reduce all types of pain including menstrual pain and should be administered by a trained TCM practitioner for optimal results. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has indicated that acupuncture is effective at treating dysmenorrhea. Acupuncture regulates many functions in the body including the inflammation process and the endocrine (hormone) system which directly influence menstruation. Depending on the diagnosis, points on the hands, feet, legs, abdomen and back will be considered. Points on the ear are often used and can be very helpful in keeping the client relaxed during treatment.

A recent article in the Journal of Evidence Based Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2007) indicated that acupuncture reduced pain due to dysmenorrhea by over 60%. Also, the use of NSAID’s for the treatment of dysmenorrhea was reduced by an average of 63%. Most striking is the fact that the majority of women receiving the acupuncture (over 55%) were still experiencing relief over 6 months after treatment had ended; indicating that the benefits of acupuncture are more than just symptomatic relief.

There are thousands upon thousands of herbs in the TCM pharmacopeia and it takes many years to become an expert. There is no one herb for a given condition and depending on the diagnosis given, there could be anywhere from six to twenty herbs in a treatment protocol. Herbs are generally taken as a tea, twice daily until the therapeutic result has been achieved. It is extremely important that those interested in receiving herbal therapy go to a qualified practitioner with experience in gynecology. Administering the wrong herbs during specific stages of the female cycle can potentially increase pain and/or bleeding. This can be avoided by seeing someone specifically trained in traditional Chinese herbology.

Other Treatment Considerations

Diet plays a large role in the treatment of dysmenorrhea and should always be a part of the treatment protocol. Certain foods like refined sugars and flours, red meats, dairy and fried foods should be avoided along with excessive alcohol and smoking. These foods can increase inflammation and may contribute to the problem. Supplements like Evening Primrose oil (anti-inflammatory effect), calcium and magnesium (muscle relaxing effect), niacin (B3) and pyridoxine (B6) have also shown to decrease the frequency and severity of menstrual cramps.

Deep breathing exercises, sacral (low back) massage and regular exercise are also effective at treating menstrual pain and can easily be performed in the comfort of your own home.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a wonderful primary medical system, perfect for treating many health conditions; much more than just pain management. Contact your local TCM practitioner today to start your journey towards a healthier, pain-free period.

About the Author

Drew Nesbitt BA, TCMP, Ac. ROHP has an honours degree in Health Studies as well as a Doctoral Diploma in TCM and Acupuncture and is a Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner. Drew is a member of the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and has been in clinical practise in Toronto for over 7 years helping people with chronic pain, digestive concerns, gynaecological issues and infertility. To reach Drew, visit www.drewnesbitt.ca