Most women know what it’s like to have a painful period at some point, and up to 50% have reported that such pain seriously disrupts their lives. Aromatherapy can be a natural way to help cope with period cramps.

What are the causes?

As part of a woman’s regular monthly cycle, the body prepares for a possible pregnancy by building the lining of the uterus. If, at the end of this cycle, no pregnancy occurs, then this lining must be shed (like a period), to be replaced by a new one. To remove the lining, the womb undergoes contractions (cramps) similar to, but not as severe, as those seen during labor. It is these contractions that cause the pain during a period. During a contraction, the blood vessels in the wall of the uterus are compressed, temporarily reducing the supply of blood and therefore oxygen to the uterus. This triggers the release of chemicals, some of which cause pain and others (called prostaglandins) that induce even stronger contractions. The degree of pain experienced depends on the strength of the contractions.

Some women are lucky and only feel a mild or dull ache; others experience violent cramps that seriously affect their quality of life. Severe menstrual cramps are known as dysmenorrhea. The pain of a period can be worse when we are feeling particularly emotional or stressed, or when we are also experiencing pain from other causes. Painful periods generally become less intense after a woman has given birth to her first child.

How to help reduce menstrual cramps naturally

Many women experiencing painful periods are reported to use pain relievers. However, if you’d rather try a more natural way to ease the pain of a period, here are some suggestions:

• Stress can exacerbate period cramps, so try to minimize stress levels at this time. Certain essential oils are known to help reduce stress: Try taking a warm bath with four drops of one of the following essential oils (geranium, neroli, palma rosa, and/or sage) (or you can try a blend). You can also add the oils to a heating pad (add oil after heating) or hot water bottle and place on lower abdomen or back (be careful not to burn your skin).
• Aromatherapy massage. Recent research has found that a gentle massage with two drops of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), one drop of clary sage (Salvia sclarea) and one drop of rose (Rosa centifolia) essential oils in 5 ml of almond oil significantly reduces the severity of the menstruation. cramps compared with women who received no treatment and those who received almond oil massage only.
• Constipation can also add to the pain of a period, so it’s important to maintain regular bowel movements at this time. Eat plenty of fiber and drink plenty of water, especially since some women get dehydrated at this time.
• Regular exercise, such as swimming, walking, or cycling, has also been reported to reduce menstrual cramps and, of course, can also help prevent constipation.

When are menstrual cramps not normal?

Severe menstrual cramps should always be investigated to see if there is another cause that can be treated. In general, if you have had severe menstrual cramps since the time your periods started, a particular cause is less likely to be found. However, conditions like endometriosis can sometimes cause severe pain from a young age (although the pain usually gets worse with each monthly cycle). Other causes of severe menstrual pain include fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and sometimes a narrowing of the cervix.

The best guide is to first try to find a simple way to manage pain that works for you. If this does not control the pain, or if the pain begins to interfere with your life, making it hard for you to work or cope with daily tasks, talk to your doctor.

Sources.

• Han SH, Hur MH, Buckle J, Choi J, Lee MS. Effect of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea symptoms in female college students: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Altern Complement Med 2006; 12:535-41.
• http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/crampsmenstrual/a/cramps
• Worwood VA. The Fragrant Pharmacy. A complete guide to aromatherapy and essential oils. Bantam Books, 1996.