Menstrual cycles can bring mental and physical problems to people that experience them. Not only do they have to deal with the actual period each month, but may also have bloating, back pain, cramping, bladder or bowel issues, mood swings, and irritability. They may also have to deal with irregular cycles, which result in hormonal imbalance. Women may struggle with fertility problems associated with irregular cycles. 

You can ease pain caused by menstruation with medicine; however, the pills are merely masking the symptoms temporarily and the pain will return as the medication wears off. Did you know that there is a long-term solution that improves painful menstrual symptoms and regulates cycles? Read on to find out more!

Is There A Long-Term Solution For Menstrual Pain?

Many individuals suffering from menstrual cramps and pain resort to regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like painkillers, ibuprofen, or aspirin. Sure, they can relieve the intensity of menstrual pain if taken in regular doses, but at what cost? Prolonged use of NSAIDS can result in gastrointestinal disorders, such as internal bleeding and gastric ulcers. Plus, with extended use, there’s an increased risk of having a heart attack. 

Some women treat severe menstrual pain and other symptoms with birth control prescriptions. Again, some individuals may find relief with these medications, but they may experience sometimes extreme side effects. Prolonged usage of birth control pills may lead to blood clots in the brain, lungs, legs, and heart, which not only weakens the immune system, but can increase the risk of a heart attack.

So, what options do you have?

Consider the fact that all organs, including the sexual organs, are connected to the spine through a supply of nerves. If the lower spinal column is out of place, it may lead to menstrual pain, cramps, and other symptoms. Additionally, sometimes the nerves from the spine leading to the reproductive organs become blocked or restricted. This results in painful symptoms, such as back pain.

Restoring a proper blood supply to the area can lead to a healthy nervous system that will reduce or eliminate these painful symptoms. A chiropractor is trained in performing lower spine manipulations, which improve blood flow and restore communication between the organs and the brain. 

Does Chiropractic Care Help With PMS?

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is known for causing mood swings, a swollen abdomen, headaches, food cravings, fatigue, back pain, depression, or irritability. It occurs in the days leading up to an individual’s monthly period and can last for a couple days to several weeks.

As many as three in four women get PMS symptoms in their lifetime, mostly individuals in their late 20s to early 40s. Some women – less than five percent of women of childbearing age – may get premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS. 

It is believed that PMS is the result of hormonal changes in the body that occur during the monthly menstrual cycle. Symptoms can be made worse by stress, decreased serotonin levels in the brain, and subluxations in the low back. While your body is still going to respond to hormonal changes, chiropractic care can decrease many of the symptoms without the potentially dangerous side effects of medication like NSAIDS.

The nerves that exit the low back are responsible for regulating all of the tissues in the lower abdomen, therefore, releasing pressure or removing irritation through chiropractic care can prove helpful to an individual suffering from menstrual cramps and PMS.

Can Chiropractic Care Reduce Menstrual Symptoms?

Symptoms experienced during menstrual cycles can include:

• Dysmenorrhea (painful cramping)
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain

Spinal issues can increase these symptoms and make painful cramping worse. However, regular chiropractic care not only improves poor spinal health, but can reduce monthly menstrual and premenstrual symptoms, while even increasing fertility during childbearing years. 

Can Chiropractic Care Restore Menstrual Cycles?

Some women do not have regular cycles and some women have no menstrual cycle at all. A complete lack of cycle is known as amenorrhea and is a sign that something is wrong within the body. 

Women without a menstrual cycle will most likely also experience issues with fertility as well as difficult hormonal imbalances. Spinal alignment can help restore regular cycles by repairing the reproductive and endocrine systems. Proper chiropractic care may not only help restore menstrual cycles, but may help women who experienced infertility to become pregnant and carry the baby to term.

What Else Can Chiropractic Care Do Beyond Menstrual Health?

Chiropractic care helps individuals deal with menstrual pain and related symptoms, but it offers so many more benefits for your health. Receiving regular chiropractic care will improve your general health and wellness. It can:

• Ease headaches
• Promote healthy sleep habits
• Lower stress levels
• Alleviate neck and back pain
• Reduce reliance on pain relievers
• Improve posture

Chiropractic care is an excellent way to be proactive with your health, not only improving your current health, but also decreasing the likelihood of developing new health issues. If you are experiencing menstrual health issues or simply want to ensure that you stay healthy, schedule a chiropractic appointment online or call us today.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person advice or care from a medical professional.