Period Pain

Most women deal with menstrual cramps during the monthly cycle. But, for some, periods are so painful as to be debilitating. Some women have to stay home from work or cancel social activities every month due to the painful cramps.

The following 4 supplements may be the missing ingredients so that painful periods stop disrupting daily life.

1) Vitamin D and magnesium

Excess production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins can trigger painful periods. Vitamin D is known to reduce their production. A single large dose of vitamin D may help women with painful periods feel more comfortable and skip painkillers.

Magnesium is an essential mineral for women on their periods because of the effect it can have on symptoms such as cramp and mood swings. Magnesium relaxes the muscles for example, to ease general discomfort in the stomach. This relaxing effect can also, in turn, help to regulate mood swings which often fluctuate during a period.

2) Vitamin E

Vitamin E works like the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen to block the production of prostaglandins—chemicals that cause cramp pain and bleeding by triggering uterine spasms.

3) B vitamins

Vitamin B6 helps your body make serotonin and norepinephrine, two hormones that help boost your mood and manage your stress levels. Deficiencies in this can lead to fatigue and low mood which are common symptoms of a period.

Vitamin B12 keeps the nerve and blood cells healthy, prevents a certain kind of anemia, and helps to make DNA. A Danish study suggests that, when combined with fish oil, B12 can relieve discomfort associated with period pain.

4) Omega 3

Many period symptoms such as cramps and headaches are caused by an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin. Therefore, as omega 3 is anti-inflammatory, this should help to counteract the problem.

Research has shown that women with low intakes of Omega 3 fatty acids have more painful periods than women who have a good intake.

Reference:

Pakniat, H., Chegini, V., Ranjkesh, F., & Hosseini, M. A. (2019). Comparison of the effect of vitamin E, vitamin D and ginger on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea: a single-blind clinical trial. Obstetrics & gynecology science, 62(6), 462.