Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Period Pain

The following are some homeopathic remedies for the treatment of period pain:

• Gnaphalium Polycephalum 
  Common Name: Cud-weed, old balsa
  Symptoms: Gnaphalium polycephalum is primarily used for the treatment of sciantica pain, espeically when the patient also experience a numb sensation in the affected part. It can also be used for the management of the following symptoms:
  • Cramps and pain in feet and calves
  • A sensation of heaviness and fullness in the pelvis
  • Painful periods with less bleeding
  • Vomiting
  • Pain in different abdominal regions
• Gelsemium Sempervirens
  Common Name: Yellow jasmine
  Symptoms: Yellow jasmine is an effective remedy to treat drowsiness, trembling, weakness and flu. It can also be used in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Pain during periods with less flow
  • Period pain that radiates to the back and hips
  • A feeling as if the uterus is being squeezed
  • Back pain and pain in hip and legs
  • Trembling, weakness and cramps in the muscles of arms and legs

The symptoms worsen at around 10 am and in damp and foggy climate. Excitement, tobacco smoking and bad news can also aggravate the symptoms. The patient feels better on spending some time in open air, bending forward, and profuse urination.

• Coffea Cruda
  Common Name: Unroasted coffee
  Symptoms: Unroasted coffee is mainly used to manage joint pain and pain in muscles. It also helps manage the following symptoms:
  • Early and prolonged periods
  • Pain in the nerves of arms and legs
  • Release of large black clots in the menstrual blood

The symptoms worsen at night, in open air, on exposure to noise and strong odours. The patient gets better on lying down and by warmth.

• Cocculus Indicus
  Common Name: Indian cockle
  Symptoms: Indian cockle is effective in the management of painful contractures in the body. It can also help manage the following symptoms:
  • Pain during periods with dark-coloured discharge
  • Early periods with clots in the menstrual blood
  • Paralytic pain in the lower back
  • Severe weakness
  • Yellowish or whitish discharge from the vagina between periods that is pus filled and profuse
  • Numbness in arms and legs
  • Weakness of the abdominal muscles
  • Abdominal pain 

The symptoms worsen in the afternoon, post-meals, due to smoking, noise, and swimming.

• Collinsonia Canadensis
  Common Name: Stone-root
  Symptoms: This medicine can help in the management of dysmenorrhoea by treating the following symptoms:
  • Inflammation in genitals
  • Constipation
  • Cold feeling in thighs after periods

The symptoms worsen from cold and slightest emotional or mental excitement while they get better by heat.

• Chamomilla
  Common Name: German chamomile
  Symptoms: German chamomile is an effective medicine for the treatment of irritability, numbness and unendurable pain. It can also help manage the following symptoms:
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Profuse dark-coloured menstrual discharge with labour-like pains
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abnormal bleeding from the uterus

The symptoms worsen at night, in open air, and with anger. Symptoms improve in warm and wet weather.

• Hamamelis Virginiana
  Common Name: Witch-hazel
  Symptoms: Witch-hazel is a suitable remedy for treating blood loss from any part and weakness due to it. It can also help treat the following symptoms:
  • Profuse bleeding during periods
  • Abdominal pain
  • Excessive blood loss from the uterus
  • Severe pain in the back and legs
  • Throbbing pain in the stomach
  • Feeling of tiredness in limbs

The symptoms worsen from warm and moist air.

• Veratrum Album
  Common Name: White hellebore
  Symptoms: Veratrum album is useful in the management of profuse vomiting and cramps in limbs. A few other symptoms that can be treated by this medicine are:
  • Sinking feeling in the abdomen
  • Abdominal pain
  • Early, and heavy menstual bleeding
  • Pain during periods with cold sweat
  • Calf cramp

The symptoms worsen at night and in cold climate while they get better on walking.

• Magnesium Phosphoricum
  Common Name: Phosphate of magnesia
  Symptoms: Phosphate of magnesia is one of the most suitable remedies for the management of muscle cramps, especially those that are associated with radiating pain. It also helps treat the following symptoms:
  • Severe abdominal pain during periods
  • Early periods with dark-coloured discharge 
  • Swelling of the genitals 
  • Spasms in the muscles of the pelvis
  • Sensation of fullness in the abdomen
  • Generalised muscular weakness

The symptoms worsen at night, on touching the painful area, and in cold climate. Symptoms get better on applying pressure, warmth and friction on the affected area.

• Viburnum Opulus
  Common Name: High cranberry
  Symptoms: It is an effective remedy for cramps and colicky pain (pain that comes and goes suddenly and increases gradually) in the hip region. It is often used to prevent miscarriages and treat the following symptoms:
  • Sudden abdominal cramps and pain
  • Delayed and scanty periods which last for a few hours
  • Pain in the lower back and front of thighs
  • Feeling of heaviness in legs

The symptoms aggravate in the evening and at night and while lying on the affected side. Symptoms improve after resting and spending some time in open air.

• Caulophyllum Thalictroides
  Common Name: Blue cohosh
  Symptoms: Blue cohosh is primarily a remedy for women. It can help manage the following symptoms:
  • Severe pain with spasms which radiates in all directions
  • Needle-like pain in the cervix
  • Pain during periods which radiates to other parts
  • Profuse bleeding and yellowish or whitish discharge during periods
• Cactus Grandiflorus
  Common Name: Night-blooming cereus
  Symptoms: Cactus grandiflorus is mainly used in treating excessive blood loss and pain that occurs with spasms. It can also help manage the following symptoms:
  • Pulsating pain in the uterus and ovaries
  • Early periods

The symptoms worsen in the afternoon. Walking, lying on the left side and going upstairs also aggravate the symptoms. The symptoms get better in the open air.

• Belladonna
  Common Name: Deadly nightshade
  Symptoms: It is primarily used in neuralgic pain and can also treat the following symptoms:
  • Cutting pain in the abdomen
  • Bright red and profuse blood flow during periods
  • Spasms and pain in arms and legs
  • Cutting pain in hips 

The symptoms worsen on lying down and on touching the affected area and on lying down. The symptoms get better while sitting in a semi-erect position.

Homeopathic remedies are useful in the treatment of several diseases. However, there are many diet and lifestyle modifications that need to be followed for the management of symptoms and treatment of the underlying cause. These include:

Do’s: 

• Eat healthy and nutritious food which is suitable for your condition.
• Stay active and include physical exercises in the daily routine.
• Wear comfortable clothes.

Don’ts: 

• Do not eat foods that possess therapeutic properties.
• Do not drink beverages containing caffeine and drinks with a strong odour.
• Do not use perfumes with a strong odour.
• Avoid staying in marshy and damp rooms.
• Avoid overexertion of mind, and keep your mind free from excessive emotions and excitement.
• Avoid all excesses in the food, including salt, sugar and spices.

Many homeopathic remedies are prescribed for the management of period pain. These remedies are effective in a wide range of cases and are free of side effects. Different clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic remedies in the management of pain during periods.

One such prospective multicentre observational study with two years of follow-up indicated the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment in the management of dysmenorrhoea in 128 women aged 32.4±7.5 years and 11 girls aged 13.7±4.0 years. It was found that homeopathic remedies helped treat dysmenorrhoea in more than 50% of the participants. The severity of the symptoms reduced and the health-related quality of life significantly improved with homeopathic treatment.

Consult your physician to know more about the efficiency of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of period pain.

Homeopathic doctors prescribe the use of individualised remedies to treat diseases and their associated symptoms. These remedies are of natural origin and are diluted extensively before use. The dilution of natural products makes them free of adverse effects. However, homeopathic medicines should only be taken after consulting an experienced homeopathic physician. Physicians are well aware of the composition of these remedies and will prescribe the most suitable medication based on your clinical status and physical traits.

Pain during periods is one of the most common complaints that affect most women. The pain radiates to the back and legs and does not allow one to work efficiently. Conventional medicines are commonly used for different types of pain and provide quick pain relief. However, taking these medicines every month to get rid of pain during periods may lead to side effects in the long term. Homeopathic remedies are made from natural substances and are given in highly diluted forms. Hence, they are said to be safe and effective. Always consult an experienced physician before taking a homeopathic remedy.