DYSMENORRHEA
By Dra. Annabel Carungin

Menstruation:  (Endometrial Cycle) Associated with the cyclic production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries is an endometrial cycle operating through the following stages: first, proliferation of the uterine endometrium; second, secretory changes in the endometrium; and third, desquamation of the endometrium, which is known as MENSTRUATION. Approximately two days estrogens and progesterone, decrease sharply to low levels of secretion and menstruation follows.

Menstruation is caused by this sudden reduction of the estrogens and progesterone at the end of the monthly ovarian cycle. The first effect is decreased stimulation of the endometrial cells by these two hormones, followed rapidly by involution of the endometrium itself to about 65 % of the previous thickness. During the 24 hours preceding the onset of menstruation, the tortous blood vessels leading to the mucosal layers of the endometrium become vasospastic, presumably because of some effect of the involution, such as release of a vasoconstrictor material possibly one of the vasoconstrictor types of prostaglandins. The vasospasm and loss of hormonal stimulation cause beginning necrosis in the endometrium, especially of blood vessels in the stratum vasculare. As a result, blood seeps into the vascular layer of the endometrium, and the hemorrhagic areas grow over a period of 24 to 36 hours. Gradually, the necrotic outer layers of the endometrium separate from the uterus at the site of the hemorrhages, until, at approximately 48 hours following the onset of menstruation, all the superficial layers of the endometrium have desquamated. The desquamated tissue and blood in the uterine cavity initiate uterine contractions that expel the uterine contents.

During normal menstruation, approximately 35 ml of blood and an additional 35 ml of serous fluid are lost. This menstrual fluid is normally nonclotting, because a fibrinolysin is released along with the necrotic endometrial material. However, if excessive bleeding occurs from the uterine surface, the quantity

of fibrinolysin may not be sufficient to prevent clotting. The presence of clots during menstruation ordinarily is clinical evidence of uterine pathology. 

Within 3 to 7 days after menstruation starts, the loss of blood ceases, for by this time the endometrium has become completely re-epithelialized.          

Dysmenorrhea (Premenstrual Syndrome) is a disorder that affects many women during the one to two weeks before menstruation begins. Symptoms can include any or all of the following: abdominal bloating, acne, anxiety, backache, breast swelling and tenderness, cramps, depression, food cravings, fainting spells, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, joint pain, nervousness, skin eruptions, water retention, and personality changes such as drastic mood swings, outbursts of anger, violence and thoughts of suicide.   

While there are no hard statistics, it is estimated that as many as 70 to 75% of all women experience some premenstrual symptoms one time or another. Approximately 5% of women have symptoms so severe as to be incapacitating, and 30 to 40% report symptoms severe enough to interfere with their day-to-day lives.     

For many years, PMS was dismissed as a purely psychological problem, and some women were even diagnosed as mentally ill. We now know that this is indeed a physically based problem. One of the causes of PMS is hormonal imbalance excessive levels of estrogen and inadequate levels of progesterone. Hormonal fluctuations lead to fluid retention, which affects circulation, reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the uterus, ovaries and brain. Eating red meat and dairy products may cause or contribute to such a hormonal imbalance. Unstable blood sugar levels are an important factor as well. PMS has also been linked to food allergies, changes in carbohydrate metabolism, hypoglycemia and mal-absorption. Diet is an important contributing factor.          

Recommendations:

1. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals and breads, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, broiled chickens, turkey and fish.  Have high protein snacks between meals.

2. Drink Distilled water daily, starting a week before the menstrual period and ending one week later.

3. Do not consume salt, red meats, processed foods, or junk foods.  Eliminating sodium is especially important for preventing bloating and water retention.

4. Take fewer dairy products, refined sugars, alcohol and caffeine.  It blocks the absorption of magnesium and increase its urinary excretion.

5. Get regular exercise such as aerobic, walking, jogging and hiking.  Exercise increases the oxygen level in the blood which helps in nutrient absorption and efficient elimination of toxins from the body.  It also helps to keep hormone levels more stable.

6. Do not smoke.

7. Employ Biomagnet Therapy

a.) Nighttime Treatment (negative power wafer on the forehead)

b.) Negative 2 stack power wafer or Super Biomagnet on the hypogastric area (puson) until pain is relieved).

c.) Negative 2 stack power wafer or Super Biomagnet on ovaries continuously.

d.) Drink magnetize water with stabilized liquid oxygen.

8. See a physician to rule out an underlying medical condition that may be causing symptoms, such as abnormal thyroid function, endometriosism a genuine psychological problem such as clinical depression.