Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea:

Dysmenorrhea can be classified as either primary or secondary based on the absence or presence of an underlying cause.

Primary dysmenorrhea is common menstrual cramps.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a disorder in the woman`s genital organs.

Common causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include:

• endometriosis
• pelvic inflammatory disease
• uterine fibroids
• ovarian cysts
• cervical stenosis

Homeopathic treatment for painful periods:

A number of homeopathic medicines can help control the pain as well as actually prevent the menstrual cramps.

Homeopathy is an effective natural treatment with no side effects.

Some homeopathic medicines have a local action (they alleviate the cramps only) and provide fast pain relief.

They are used during painful periods only. Others are called constitutional (chronic) medicines and target the root cause of dysmenorrhea. Constitutional medicines are a deep acting treatment that eliminates not only the menstrual cramps but also brings whole body balance.

The most common homeopathic medicines for fast pain relief include:

• Belladonna - intense throbbing pain with sudden onset, cramps get worse from touch or jolts.
• Chamomilla - the woman can`t stand any pain and gets irritable and angry when in pain; passive movement, such as riding in a car or rocking her body alleviate pain.
• Cimicifuga - pain is proportional to the flow - the more they bleed, the stronger the pain; stiffness of neck and shoulders.
• Colocynthis - intolerable cramps; the woman is restless and bent over. Applying pressure on the abdomen or heat relieve the pain. Painful periods are often triggered by anger or suppressed indignation.
• Magnesia phosphorica - cramps relieved by pressure or warmth; right side abdominal pain is more common.
• Veratrum album - severe menstrual cramps accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sweating; heavy flow; tired and chilly woman.

Take them regularly throughout the day, not just when pain becomes difficult to cope with. In severe dysmenorrhea, for best results start taking them a day or two before the onset of your menstrual flow.