According to a study, 84.1% of participating women reported menstrual pain, of which 43.1% reported experiencing monthly pain, and 41% reported lower stomach cramps and varying pain cycles.
What is Menstrual Pain?
Every month, after puberty till menopause, a female gets mild to severe pain during her menstrual cycle. Menstrual pain and lower stomach cramps before and during periods are medically known as Dysmenorrhea.
Let’s deep dive to understand its causes and ways to relieve it.
Prostaglandins are the culprit hormones involved in pain and inflammation. They trigger the uterine muscle contractions, helping it to oust itself during the periods. The higher the amount of these hormones, the more severe the cramps.
Types of Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is classified into two types:
- Primary dysmenorrhea: These are the common menstrual cramps that come back over and over again and aren’t due to other reproductive disorders.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea: When the pain during periods is due to a reproductive disorder, it is called secondary dysmenorrhea. Pain from this condition results from reproductive issues like endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis, or fibroids.
Medicines and painkillers are unavoidable in case the pain is excruciating. But you should try one of the remedies discussed below to avoid using a pain killer. Some home remedies to ease the pain during these days and make life a bit comfortable are –
- Placing a hot water bottle or heating pad on the lower abdomen to relieve the pain.
- A good number of healthy fluids during these days can give a boost.
- Have a healthy diet always but must during periods. It helps in fast recovery.
- Staying active and away from stress adds to the goodie points.
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
These simple yet effective remedies help in relieving cramps to a greater extent. However, these above efforts will not be enough if the pain is due to a reproductive disorder.
Using pain killers every month is not advisable. In the long run, they will cause some other issues. So why not remember age-old Indian medical system will have no or minor side effects. Yes, Ayurveda!
Ayurveda is loaded with wonderful herbs that help soothe menstrual pain and treat menstrual cramps. Let’s discuss one of the known plants which have bundles of goodness, Vijaya.
Vijaya for Pain Relief
Vijaya has been used for ages all over the world for its therapeutic potential and gets its mention in ancient Ayurvedic scriptures. A lot of research is undergoing on its use as a potent pain controller. It has proved its efficacy in treating the symptoms of chronic pain, menstrual cramps, and endometriosis owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Vijaya contains more than 100 different compounds called Cannabinoids (CBD). Cannabidiol (CBD) does not show any psychoactive symptoms but supports relieving pain by acting on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Endocannabinoids are a family of bioactive lipids that activate cannabinoid receptors to modulate neural transmission. By activating the CB1 receptors in the brain, the communication of the pain signals slows down. By activating the CB2 receptors in the immune cells, the inflammation in the affected nerves and blood vessels is reduced.
Besides acting on cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, they may also lower pain through interaction with the putative G protein-coupled receptors and opioid or serotonin receptors. Cannabinoids have been suggested to be immune modulators and to change the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Because the cytokine and chemokine immune cells are responsible for inflammatory action in the body. Vijaya prevents their production and helps stabilize the immune system to prevent it from being hyperactive.
Vijaya Vs. Painkillers
Ayurvedic doctors and researchers have found that Vijaya inhibits the enzymes that produce prostaglandins. This way, the herb decreases the production of prostaglandins and helps alleviate pain and inflammation associated with menstrual cramps. Moreover, it does not show adverse health side effects like conventional NSAIDs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and painkillers.
Painkillers, when taken, block the production of prostaglandins by binding to cyclooxygenase (COX) receptors in the brain, whereas cannabinoids like THC and CBD exert no activity on COX receptors. Instead, they stimulate the release of dopamine (the feel-good hormone) in the brain. With the release of dopamine due to euphoria, the perception of pain is reduced.
Hempstreet’s classic formulation, called ‘Trailokya Vijaya Vati’, with Cannabis as its key ingredient, helps treat various pains and inflammation. This medicine directly impacts the motor neurons, known as ‘VaatVaahini Naadi.’ The anti-inflammatory property of its active compounds helps in healing muscular inflammation.
Vijaya helps to provide quick relief in pain related to muscular spasms, chronic pain, joint pain, and sciatica pain. While every female is different, so are their issues. Hence it’s best to consult a medical practitioner. Avail advice that best suits you from the 60,000+ best certified medical practitioners across the country through Hempstreet.
Conclusion
In today’s world, women are fully aware of their reproductive health and are exploring more body-friendly natural alternatives with no long-term or short-term side effects. If menstrual pains can be relieved by having Ayurvedic medicines, it’s a boon!
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