Dysmenorrhea

Supportive Management

To relieve pain from dysmenorrhea:

  • Apply a heat pack over lower abdomen. Ensure that the heat pack is not too hot to burn your skin. A heat pack can be made at home by wrapping in a towel a tightly-closed glass bottle filled up with hot water. Ensure that glass bottle does not come in direct contact with the skin.
  • Avoid food containing salt and caffeine (e.g. coffee, soft drinks, chocolate).
  • Drink warm beverages.
  • Take warm baths or showers.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Take rest periods.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
    • Calculate body mass index (BMI) and see if it’s within normal range (18.5 to 24.99). If BMI is greater than 24.99, take steps to reduce weight. Lose weight gradually, around 0.5 – 1 kg per week.
    • BMI can be calculated using the formula: kg/meter2
  • Practice relaxation techniques.
    • Deep breathing
      • Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can be alone with yourself.
      • Sit upright in bed or chair, and find a comfortable position.
      • Place one or both hands over the abdomen, just below the ribs.
      • Deeply breathe in through the nose, while keeping mouth closed. Breathe in for a count of four.
      • Feel the abdomen rise with each inhalation, and as far as possible.
      • Through a pursed-lip, breathe out. Breathe out for a count of seven.
      • Feel the abdomen sink with each exhalation.
      • Perform deep-breathing exercises for 5-10 minutes at a time, and as many times each day.
    • Music therapy
      • Choose a soothing, therapeutic song. Research findings indicate that music with slower tempo (60 beats per minute) induces a calming, relaxing effect. Sounds of nature (drops of rain, flowing waterfalls) are also relaxing. But the best relaxation music ultimately depends on each person’s preference – whichever music one finds relaxing (albeit upbeat or moderately loud) – may be used for music therapy.
      • Relax before and during the music therapy by performing deep breathing exercises (see instructions above).
      • Listen actively to the music. Feel the music. Focus your mind on the music, get lost in it – listen to every beat and every silence in between. Let the music’s mood influence yours.
    • Meditation

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Herbal Medicine

  • Pineapple
    • Take 2-3 fruit slices 3 times a day during the menstrual period.
  • Tanglad Roots and Pepper Decoction
    • There is no fixed dose for the tanglad roots. Boil tanglad roots with pepper for 5-10 minutes.

Recommendation

Consult doctor if you experience any of the following:

  • Unusual or severe menstrual cramps
  • Menstrual cramps that last for 2-3 days
  • Sudden and severe pain, especially if possibly pregnant
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

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Please note that the information provided by this tool is provided solely for educational purposes and is not a qualified medical opinion. This information should not be considered advice or an opinion of a doctor or other health professional about your actual medical state, and you should see a doctor for any symptoms you may have. If you are experiencing a health emergency, you should call your local emergency number immediately to request emergency medical assistance.