Homeopathy for Menstrual Cramps

Each month the lining of the uterus builds up as our hormones change. After it builds up, it must also shed. It does this when hormones change again.

But how does the tissue get out?

The uterus is a muscle. So in order to expel the tissue from the body, the uterus contracts. And this is where the pain can come from.

Think about when you run for a long distance or you go to stretch your leg at night in bed and your calf muscle cramps. It's pretty painful!

This is the same thing that happens when the uterus contracts...that's why we call them CRAMPS.

In most cases, menstrual cramps are normal. Again, we know that repetitive contracting of a muscle can be painful.

However in some instances, menstrual cramps can be a sign of a more serious health condition.

If cramps are continuous or seem to be getting worse each month, it's always a good idea to get a medical check-up to rule out some of these more serious concerns.

So what can homeopathy do for menstrual cramps? Here are a few homeopathic medicines that have been useful for my girls and many of my clients.

Mag phos - Everyone knows that magnesium is great for any type of cramps. So it's no surprise that magnesium phosphoricum would be one of the highest medicines on the list. If the cramps are better from pressure and a heating pad, then Mag phos should do the trick. My girls love to use this remedy in a 6x or 30c potency every hour or so depending on how severe the cramps are at any given time. Some of my clients even drop the 6x in a cup of hot water and sip on it until it's gone. This method hasn't worked well for us, but it does work really well for some people.

Colocynthis - If cramps make you double over in pain, then Colocynthis may be your medicine. Someone that would respond to this medicine may have cramps made worse by eating or drinking and the girl or woman could be very restless while cramping. If there are ovarian cysts that are causing the cramps, consider reaching for this medicine. I'd lean more towards using this one in a 30c or 200c potency every few hours.

Sabina - Unlike Mag phos and Colocynthis, cramps that are better by laying on your back and stretching out would call for Sabina. A female with extremely heavy menstruation filled with dark clots and pain that goes down into the thighs would benefit from this medicine. I recommend Sabina in a 6c potency be used every 3 hours until there's relief.

Nux vomica - If you've never heard of this medicine, you might be thinking it sounds a lot like "vomit". Well, that's a great way to remember this remedy. Nux vomica is all about gastro-intestinal complaints. So if nausea and vomiting accompanies extreme cramping, then reach for Nux vomica. This especially holds true if the vomiting relieves the complaints. Try this medicine in a 30c every few hours.

Chamomilla - Someone that is extremely irritable, perhaps even angry, and is overly sensitive to the pain that these cramps cause might need Chamomilla. You definitely want to use this one in a 30c or even 200c potency every hour or two because this person typically demands relief NOW.

Sepia - Sepia is just an overall great female hormone remedy. A woman who needs this remedy may experience menstrual headaches along with cramping. They may also say that it feels like everything is going to fall out of their vagina. If menstrual cramps start after using birth control pills or having a baby, this is a great medicine choice. I like to have clients use Sepia in a 6c, 30c, or 200c potency depending on the particulars of their case. A lower potency could be used more frequently while a higher potency would be used much less frequently.

You can find all of these remedies in my Fullscript Dispensary under Menstrual Cramp Relief.

There are many other homeopathic medicines that could be used for menstrual cramps, but these are some of the most frequently used that they are worth a try before resorting to other medicines.

If you're not having any luck with these medicines, it may be time to consider reaching out to a professional homeopath for some individualized help. I'd love to work with you to get you on the mend.

As always, I hope you'll share this information with friends and family members that may need it.