Many females experience menstrual cramps during their time of the month. For some, it is just experiencing some discomfort, but life still goes on. However, for a certain group of people, menstrual cramps will affect their lives. Making them crippled in bed, searching for painkillers, or even putting a heat pack, but none of them works, and the pain just keeps haunting them. Are you one of them?
So what exactly is Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea) ?
It is the one of the most common problems faced by woman. It refers to pain in the lower abdomen, before, during or after menstruation. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as lower back ache, tiredness etc.
There are 2 kinds of menstrual cramps.
1. Primary dysmenorrhea: recurrent cramps not due to pathological/physical disorders.
2. Secondary dysmenorrhea: Due to underlying medical conditions (mostly gynecological), like endometriosis, pelvic inflammation etc.
In TCM, there are many reasons as to why one has cramps. (Hint: It has to do with your body’s internal environment)
1. Kidney Qi Deficiency
2. Blood and Qi Deficiency
3. Blood and Qi Stagnation
4. Cold Womb syndrome
5. Heat and Dampness accumulation
And the list goes on…
Who can you find to seek help?
1. If your pain is very severe, seek help from your gynecologist and get it checked!
2. Condition your body with the help of TCM Physicians.
3. Combination of both western and Chinese Medicine Intervention.
Please do not take too long to seek help as some conditions (e.g. fibroids, PCOS etc.) might lead to infertility.
How can TCM help with your condition?
The most common kind of treatment will be a combination of acupuncture and medication.
Acupuncture can help you to improve your blood circulation around the womb area, and it also can help with getting rid of your blood stagnation (If any). Acupuncture will also release endorphins, a pain-relieving and happy “hormone”, which will help with your overall mood and pain level.
Medication will be tailored to suit your own body constitution. It helps to balance the yin and yang, slowly conditioning your body from the inside.
A TCM treatment typically consists of weekly acupuncture together with medication. A period of 3-6 months of treatment is recommended to condition your body.
TCM Self-care tips
1. Keep your tummy and legs area warm. (Very important)
2. Exercise to increase the Qi in your body, which will then allow your blood flow to be improved.
3. No cold drinks.
4. Moxibustion* ( on CV8 神阙， CV4 官员， SP6 三阴交)
5. Foot soak at night*
6. Rose + Gogi Berry Tea
*Please call (+65) 88604387 to consult our TCM Physician, Dr Catherine Zhang before trying.
NovaHealth TCM Clinic - Eunos
BLK 844 Sims Ave #01-712
Singapore 400844