Nutrients reduce menstrual pain and bleeding, in two new studies
Cinnamon relieves pain
At least half of menstruating women experience abdominal pain before, during, and after menstruation, a condition called primary dysmenorrhea. In this study, 58 women, average age 22, with mild to moderate primary dysmenorrhea, took a placebo or 1,000 mg of cinnamon during the first 72 hours of their period, for two consecutive cycles.
Doctors followed up through both cycles and found that, after each cycle, while the placebo group had experienced some relief in intensity of pain symptoms, those taking cinnamon reported greater relief from pain. Also, women in the cinnamon group reported less pain compared to their symptoms before starting the study.
Discussing the findings, doctors said pain from primary dysmenorrhea can interfere with daily activity, and recommend taking the aromatic spice cinnamon to safely reduce the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea symptoms.
Shepherd’s purse reduced heavy bleeding
Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to poor quality of life and iron- deficiency anemia in women. In this study, 84 non-pregnant, non-obese, healthy women, aged 18 to 45, with a history of heavy bleeding, took the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug mefenamic acid to decrease blood loss, beginning on day one through the end of menses, up to seven days. Half the group added a placebo while the other half added 640 mg of shepherd’s purse every 12 hours, during the same cycle.
During the first two monthly cycles, both groups experienced a similar, significant decrease in the amount of bleeding, and in the number of bleeding days. By the third month, while the placebo group had not improved further, women taking shepherd’s purse reported significantly greater decreases in volume of blood loss. Compared to placebo, women taking shepherd’s purse reported being more satisfied with the results.
Reference: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice; 2018, Vol. 33, 56-60
Natural Insights for Well Being February 2019
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