I have tried providing to female friends around me, but recent chats with a few lady friends who do not see me often remind me that it's better to gather some information (not just in Chinese) for them. Credit authors of the original articles cited below. Hope those of you who suffer monthly feel better month by month. ❤

The easiest physical remedy when one can sit down or lay down, though, remains put a bag either filled with hot liquid or a cloth bag filled with warm ingredients such as fennel, hot peppers, ramulus cinnamoni, asarum sieboldii - whichever available.

Natural Treatments for Menstrual Disorders

By Dr. Mao Shing Ni

Monthly menstrual periods are a normal part of a woman’s life. Menstruation is essential for the renewal of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy. Major fluctuations in hormone levels precede a menstrual period, and it is normal to feel minor discomfort before and during menstruation. However, many women experience severe symptoms or painful menstruation. Painful menstruation, ordysmenorrhea, is more common in young women in their teens and twenties than in older women, and it can be secondary to an underlying condition such as endometriosis,pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, orpremenstrual syndrome(PMS).[1]

The symptoms of painful menstruation begin days before the onset of menstruation, and can continue throughout the cycle.
Symptoms include:

lower abdominal cramping,
a dull ache that often radiates to the lower back,
heavy menstrual flow with or without clots,
dull headaches, constipation or diarrhea,
frequent urination, and
mood changes including anxiety or depression.

Stress, lack of exercise, and excess caffeine use can also cause menstrual discomfort and PMS. In Western medicine birth control pills or other hormonal agents, diuretics, and antidepressants are often prescribed.

In Chinese medicine, a healthy menstrual cycle relies on several factors, including the condition of the blood, the level of energy, and the proper functioning of the liver and kidneys. For example, if there is heat in the blood or a stagnation of energy resulting from emotional imbalance and stress, the menstrual flow becomes disrupted, causing pain and discomfort. Many women also suffer from a condition in which cold affects the uterus, causing severe menstrual cramps and pain. Stress and intense emotions, especially anger, frustration, and resentment, can easily depress the liver. Over time, the stagnation turns into heat, pushing the blood to flow out heavily with clots and pain.[2]

In one case, a patient of mine would go from being gentle and sweet to rageful and anxious - like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - as soon as she hit her ovulation. Two weeks later, when her period would start, she’d return to being her sweet self. Her menstrual pain was unbearable as a result of recurrent endometriosis, which had already been treated with surgery three times. She was referred to me by her gynecologist, and together we created a treatment plan involving diet and nutrition, acupuncture and herbal therapy, exercise, and meditation. After about six months, her symptoms were reduced by about 90 percent. She was quite happy, but the happiest person was her husband, who once remarked that I had saved their marriage. Following are some recommendations for treating menstrual problems. Be sure to have your gynecologist examine you thoroughly to rule out fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or other serious disorders.

Selected in current blog post title ending with (1) is a few easiest home remedies that ladies can apply anywhere:

HOME REMEDIES FOR MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

Make a broth by boiling 3 slices of ginger, 1 chopped green onion, 1 fennel bulb, the dried peel of 1 small orange, and a pinch of black pepper in 3 1/2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain, and drink 1 cup 3 times a day beginning 1 week prior to the onset of menstruation.
Make tea by boiling 1 teaspoon each of hawthorn, cinnamon, and turmeric in 3 1/2 cups of water for 30 minutes. Strain, and drink 3 cups daily. This is a good remedy for abdominal bloating, distention, and pain.
Take a hot Epsom salt sitz bath daily before the onset of your period. Once your period starts, massage ginger oil into your abdomen and place a heating pad over your abdomen for 30 minutes for pain relief.

DAILY VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

Supplementing with vitamin B complex and vitamin E (800 IU) can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Taking magnesium (500 milligrams) combined with vitamin B6 (50 milligrams) can help reduce cramps and pain.
Taking niacin (200 milligrams) combined

with rutin (500 milligrams) and vitamin C (1,000 milligrams) is also useful for pain relief.
Supplementing with evening primrose oil (450 milligrams GI.A) can help balance the hormonal system.
Essential fatty acids in the form of omega-3-rich fish oil (1,000 milligrams EPA; 800 milligrams DHA) and flaxseed oil are natural anti-inflammatories that help reduce menstrual pain and clotting.[3]

SELF ACUPRESSURE FOR MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

1. Locate the acupoint Valley of Harmony (LI-4),

in the web between your thumb and index finger on your right hand. Apply steady pressure with your left thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 2 minutes. Repeat on the left hand.
2. Find the acupoint Great Surge (LIV-3), in the web between the big and second toes on your right foot. Apply steady pressure with your left thumb until you feel soreness.
Hold for 2 minutes. Repeat on the left foot.