Painful Periods

Dysmenorrhoea or painful menstruation is a common problem affecting many women, caused by the forceful contraction of the uterus.
Causes
In the teens and twenties, hormonal secretions increase uterine contraction thereby causing colicky pain.
In older women, uterine tumours, ovarian cysts and other diseases might be the cause. Constipation may be associated with this type.
Signs & Symptoms
Pain is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue and nervousness.
Pain felt in the lower abdomen varies from mild discomfort to intense pain.
It persists for a day or two.
Herbal Medicines
Exercise has a positive effect on the hormonal balance of the body. It is recommended for the younger group.
A purgative for 2 days before the expected date of menstruation is beneficial.
Hing or asafoetida can be given powdered after frying in ghee or butter. 1 tablespoonful should be taken twice a day with a rice bolus followed by a glass of hot water.
4-5 cloves of pasted garlic may be consumed thrice a day to relieve pain.
Camphor may be rolled into pills and a pill thrice a day may be consumed and a liniment of camphor may be rubbed on the abdomen.
10 grains of powdered sesame seeds 4 times a day may be taken along with a warm hip bath containing a handful of the seeds.
Ayurvedic Remedies
Kumaryasava: Six tsp with equal quantity of water should be taken twice a day after food, for a month to render periods painless.
Cystone tablet (Himalaya) 1 tablet twice or thrice daily.
Rajaparvartini Vati (Baidyanath) 1 tablet thrice, daily with warm water may be given a week prior to menses.
Evecare syrup (Himalaya) 15ml twice daily.