Homeopathic Healthcare: More Homeopathic Articles
George Guess, MD
Menstrual Cramps
Homeopathic medicine can provide prompt relief of menstrual cramps when prescribed acutely. In addition, constitutional homeopathic treatment can successfully cure the predisposition to suffer painful menstrual cramps, rendering subsequent menstrual periods completely or relatively symptom free.
Self treatment for painful periods should begin with consideration of the following remedies, which are the most frequently indicated for this condition.
During the pain, take one dose of 30C potency
every 4-6 hours until improvement begins, then reduce the frequency of dosing to an as needed basis should the pain increase again. If no relief is obtained from one remedy within 12 hours, try another based upon symptom indications below.
Homeopathic Medicines
Belladonna (deadly nightshade): Intense, bearing-down cramps that come and go suddenly. The pain is worse from motion, jarring, and drafts. Bleeding is often profuse, bright red, and hot. The face may be flushed. There may be a prolapsing sensation, as if the uterus were falling out, which is paradoxically better when standing.
Magnesia phosphorica (magnesium phosphate): The menstrual cramps are better from bending double, firm abdominal pressure, and warmth; they are worse from cold applications, cold air, and uncovering. The individual may be subject to other crampings; eg, writer's cramp. The flow tends to be dark, stringy, tarry, and occurs primarily at night.
Colocynthis (bitter cucumber): Severe cramping or cutting pains which are better from bending double, pressure, and warmth, like Magnesia phosphorica. There tends to be greater emotional irritability in Colocynthis. The cramps are often aggravated after anger or mortification. The individual may cry out with pain.
Cimicifuga (black cohosh): Sharp, labor-like pains darting from one side of the body to the other. Back pain or sciatica may accompany the menses. The individual is intolerant of the pain, perhaps talkative and hysterical. There are typically associated musculoskeletal pains of the neck and extremities. All complaints are worse as the menstrual flow increases. Pains shoot across the pelvis or into the thighs. The menses are irregular and may be suppressed by emotions or stress.
Chamomilla (chamomille): Severe labor-like pains, which may extend to the thighs. The patient cries out, screams in intense anger with the pains. The pains can be better from warmth. The individual can be oversensitive to pain, the pain seeming unendurable. Complaints are worse after anger. Great anger and irritability before and during the menses; during this time the individual can be hostile and accusatory. Aversion to being touched. The menstrual flow is dark, clotted blood often.
Cactus grandiflora (night-blooming cereus): Severe pain during the period. Heavy menstrual flow with clots and constricting pains as each clot is passed. The pains are constricting as if a tight band or wire were digging into the affected part. The patient may cry out with the pain.
Nux vomica (poison nut plant): The menstrual pain is cramping and associated with strong urging for stool and/or urine during the flow. Cramps and urging are ameliorated by warmth; eg, warm baths, applications. There may be fainting during the menses, pain in the sacrum, and/or constipation. During the menses there may be nausea in the morning, and chilliness, and attacks of faintness. A sensation of downward pressure toward the genitals is common Additionally, the Nux vomica patient is very irritable and fault-finding, and often fastidious.
Lilium tigrinum (tiger lily): As can be seen in Nux vomica, Lilium tigrinum suffers severe bearing down pain, as if the uterus would protrude, with associated intense urging for stool. The flow is dark, clotted, offensive. The sensation of uterine prolapse is worse standing, and better sitting or supporting the parts with the hand. Also there may be pain in the ovaries, the pains extending down the thighs or up to the left breast.
Dr. Guess, a family physician, has practiced classical homeopathic medicine for 25 years. He is the editor of the American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine. He practices in Charlottesville. 434-295-0362. Web page: www.doctorguess.com
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Dr. George Guess
2776 Hydraulic Rd, Suite 101
Charlottesville, VA 22901
office: 434-295-0362
fax: 434-295-0798
email: gguessmd@earthlink.net
website: http://www.doctorguess.com/
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