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Page 36
| predominate when the need for them arises. Generally, fatty acids derived from animal fats and other saturated fats increase the production of pain-producing prostaglandins. Fats that have fewer pain-producing prostaglandins are less saturated fats such as evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil and fish oils. |
| Hormone changes may also be responsible for the body's release of pain-producing prostaglandins, but more research is needed in this area. However, balance of hormones is always the goal in order to prevent any irregularity in the menstrual cycle. |
| Conventional Medical Treatment |
| Conventional approaches to painful periods would be similar to that for other problems related to periods. The first thing would be to rule out any structural problems that may be causing the pain. Again, these would include fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia, etc. |
| In those cases where there is no obvious cause for the pain, and in all other cases as well, pain management would be the treatment of choice. Some medications used are those that alter prostaglandin production or are prostaglandin inhibitors. These are the well-known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) which can be acquired without a prescription in most cases. Stronger doses usually require prescription. Other drugs that have been used in the treatment of painful menstruation include narcotics, antispasmodic medications and minor tranquilizers. At times oral contraceptives are used which have helped some women, presumably by altering prostaglandin regulation. |
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