Why does your period have it out for you?
Painful periods are the WORST. We’re talking cramping, back pain, headaches, fatigue- and it’s happening before, during, and even after your period is over. But why is it happening? And what can we do to relieve some of this pain? Read on for tips and tricks to avoid severe period pain.
Painful periods indicate menstrual pain that occurs before, during or after menstruation. The pain may occur in the lower abdomen or lower back and sometimes extend into your legs (hello, sciatic nerve!). Sometimes, your period can be associated with nausea, vomiting, or even fainting!
In Traditional Chinese medicine, the liver, penetration vessel (Chong Mai) and directing vessel (Dai Mai) are responsible for the physiology of menstruation. For a normal period to occur, blood must be abundant and move adequately. Proper movement of blood relies on the free flow of the liver qi and of the qi of the penetrating vessel. When there is not proper movement of blood and qi within these vessels, stagnation is created, which causes pain during the period. Symptoms such as breast tenderness, pre-menstrual irritability, clots in period blood, and abdominal distention may also be present. Stagnation is therefore the most important pathological condition causing painful periods. Stagnation may be caused by emotional strain: anger, frustration, resentment, worry and guilt may all lead to stagnation of qi and blood, causing painful periods and probably some emotional distress! One thing you can do to combat the stagnation is to move. Yes, it sounds awful and most women can’t even imagine getting up to get some water, let alone exercise! But a quick 10-15 minute walk with some deep breathing can help move that blood and qi, leading to less painful menses!
Now, we’ve discussed stuck qi and blood, but was about insufficient qi and blood? That’s right- a deficiency of qi and blood may cause dull abdominal pain, fatigue, moodiness, and even slight dizziness, loose stools, and depression! This deficiency may be caused by overwork, excessive fatigue, chronic illness, excessive sexual activity, or childbirth. In these scenarios, many women experience lighter than usual bleeding and just general lack of motivation. So what can we do to boost the qi and blood? In most cases, we have to change our diet to implement more foods that can nourish our bodies to produce and regulate these substances. It is best to speak with an acupuncturist to come up with a nutrition and herbal supplement plan that best fits your constitution and your needs.
We’ve reviewed some good methods for helping period pain, but it’s important to note that there are cases of severe pain that may not be eased with simple lifestyle changes. If your pain is persistent, or you notice abnormal bleeding, it is important to see your primary care doctor or gynecologist for a thorough check-up and to rule out any severe conditions.
All in all, there are many methods for treating and inhibiting period pain. Come see us for an acupuncture treatment to see if our methods can help you out!