How To Effectively Reduce Period Pain
What is the best way to combat period pain? Although NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen have been cited to be effective in reducing pain, it can come with side effects. As such, many studies have already researched non-pharmaceutical ways like exercise, electrical stimulation, and heat therapy as forms of treatment. Recently, it has been discovered that vitamins have a great effect as well.
In March 2023, The Journal of Integrative Nursing published its findings on vitamin D and E consumption and their respective effect on dysmenorrhea (commonly known as menstrual pain). Dysmenorrhea is classified into two forms: primary, which encompasses the usual symptoms like abdominal cramps, nausea and back pain, and secondary, which is characterized by abnormal bleeding patterns and/or pelvic pain due to a gynecological condition called endometriosis. While they both induce period pain, primary dysmenorrhea is more common in menstruating women because of a substance called prostaglandins, which are present in high levels at the start of a cycle in order to generate uterine contractions.
So how does administering Vitamin D or E, or both at the same time, help reduce inflammation? According to the journal, Vitamin D can reduce the production of cytokines (inflammatory proteins) while Vitamin E can inhibit arachidonic acid (a precursor to prostaglandins), lessening the amount of prostaglandins created. To see if these properties actually reduced menstrual pain, the study conducted a double-blind clinical trial, where they randomly distributed either a placebo (starch capsules), Vitamin D, Vitamin E, or both Vitamin D + E to their participants. Their goal was to measure and analyze the severity of pain, using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the duration of pain, using the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS).
In March 2023, The Journal of Integrative Nursing published its findings on vitamin D and E consumption and their respective effect on dysmenorrhea (commonly known as menstrual pain). Dysmenorrhea is classified into two forms: primary, which encompasses the usual symptoms like abdominal cramps, nausea and back pain, and secondary, which is characterized by abnormal bleeding patterns and/or pelvic pain due to a gynecological condition called endometriosis. While they both induce period pain, primary dysmenorrhea is more common in menstruating women because of a substance called prostaglandins, which are present in high levels at the start of a cycle in order to generate uterine contractions.
So how does administering Vitamin D or E, or both at the same time, help reduce inflammation? According to the journal, Vitamin D can reduce the production of cytokines (inflammatory proteins) while Vitamin E can inhibit arachidonic acid (a precursor to prostaglandins), lessening the amount of prostaglandins created. To see if these properties actually reduced menstrual pain, the study conducted a double-blind clinical trial, where they randomly distributed either a placebo (starch capsules), Vitamin D, Vitamin E, or both Vitamin D + E to their participants. Their goal was to measure and analyze the severity of pain, using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the duration of pain, using the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS).
Fatty fish provide better doses of vitamin D while nuts like almonds have a lot of vitamin E. More natural food options for vitamins D and E, individually, can be found on Harvard’s Nutrition Source Page.
Image Source: David B Townsend
With zero meaning analgesia and ten being unbearable pain, most women on average marked a high seven on the VAS scale prior to vitamin supplementation. As anticipated, all the groups, except the placebo, felt a decrease in pain severity after two months of taking whatever vitamin they were randomly prescribed to. Similar results were shown for the duration of pain, as the women on average experienced dysmenorrhea for two to three days before the study but later reported one to two days. In summary, regardless of whether one takes just Vitamin D or E—or both at once—this research has proven that there is a statistically significant difference in menstrual pain intensity and duration compared to not taking the vitamins at all.
Although the exact mechanisms of how Vitamin D and E suppress inflammation and dysmenorrhea have not been uncovered, other clinical trials have also been conducted to prove these vitamins’ authenticity as a non-pharmaceutical alternative to NSAIDs. With this being said, if one is experiencing dysmenorrhea, it is advised to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional. Dysmenorrhea has been long dismissed as a complaint. But, we now know it is a valid and painful medical condition that can affect daily activities and overall well being. This study provides a glimpse at how vitamins could be used to lessen its effects.
Although the exact mechanisms of how Vitamin D and E suppress inflammation and dysmenorrhea have not been uncovered, other clinical trials have also been conducted to prove these vitamins’ authenticity as a non-pharmaceutical alternative to NSAIDs. With this being said, if one is experiencing dysmenorrhea, it is advised to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional. Dysmenorrhea has been long dismissed as a complaint. But, we now know it is a valid and painful medical condition that can affect daily activities and overall well being. This study provides a glimpse at how vitamins could be used to lessen its effects.
Featured Image Source: Sydney Sims
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