COPING WITH MENSTRUATION

When a girl reaches puberty, her previously dormant ovaries begin to release eggs for potential fertilization in the uterus. The ovaries take it in turns, approximately once a month, to release one, or sometimes two, eggs. The length of this cycle varies between individuals, from three to five weeks on average. The menstrual cycle is controlled by several hormones released by the endocrine system: these include oestrogen and progesterone, the latter being responsible for the thickening of the uterus lining, ready to welcome and feed a fertilized egg. At the same time, the breasts begin to swell a little, as they prepare to produce milk-forming tissue, and congestion occurs, particularly in the area between the nipples and the armpits.

If the egg is not fertilized within a few days, it dies and, together with the lining of the uterus, is rejected by the uterus two weeks after its arrival. The result is a flow of blood lasting, on average, between three and five days. Once finished, it can take up to three weeks before the next egg is released, depending on the individual.

This hormonal activity can cause period pain (dysmenorrhoea), irregularity, a heavy blood flow (menorrhagia), hardly any flow (oligomenorrhoea) or perhaps no flow at all (amenorrhoea). Other symptoms may appear, and can vary from water retention, constipation, backache, tiredness, nausea, headaches and migraine, to tender breasts and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Peppermint is useful for treating
nausea and headaches. It can be
be taken internally in water.


This emotional complication of PMS can adversely affect the rest of the family as well as the sufferer. PMS should not be confused with period pains or any of the other symptoms experienced during menstruation, as the moment blood flow begins PMS symptoms disappear.

Painful Periods
These are caused by congestion of blood in the uterus. Symptoms can range from a slight discomfort to a heavy, dragging pain in the abdomen. For some women, period pains may also affect the lower back.

For some women, their periods are marked by a dull backache. Sweet marjoram, rosemary and pine can be applied on a warm compress to the painful area.





Treatment
Apply analgesic and decongestant essential oils in a vegetable oil or lotion carrier-base, in a clockwise direction, over the entire abdomen, daily at bedtime, eight to ten days before your period is due. When you have pain or tender breasts it is beneficial to apply warm compress, using the same essential oils as above. Exercise can be helpful as it stimulates the blood circulation and relieves congestion. After childbirth, period pains usually diminish or disappear.

Rosemary is a good choice to help with period problems,
relieving constipation and fatigue.
Irregular, Infrequent Or Lack Of Periods
This can be very frustrating from the point of view of planning your life, especially if you are trying to conceive a child. The problem is due to hormonal imbalance. Worry can make things worse, so stress-relieving essential oils, when used regularly, can be beneficial.

Treatment
Roman chamomile, melissa and rose otto essential oils can be blended together in a carrier-base oil or lotion and rubbed into the abdomen, in a clockwise direction. The appropriate, hormone-like, essential oils should also be used.

Scanty And Heavy Periods
These may be due to a imbalance of prostaglandin in the body, a hormone which affects the uterus. With heavy periods, the lining of the uterus is over-thick.

Treatment
Use hormone-like essential oils.

Other Symptoms
Constipation, tiredness and backache can all arise as a result of period problems. Other symptoms which can arise around the time of menstruation are associated with PMS.

Treatment
Many oils are effective against backache, and it is probably best to experiment until you find the ones you like best. Rosemary and mandarin, used together, are known to be effective for constipation.

















Experiment with making your own lotions. Choose the oils most suited to your symptoms and have a bottle made up ready to use.



















Include plenty of fresh fruit in your daily diet. Healthy eating can alleviate period problems.




LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

• Foods to avoid: excess sugar, salt, chocolate.
• Foods to eat: liver, fish, fresh fruit (especially bananas), nuts, pulses, raw or cooked fresh vegetables (especially greens), salads (with evening primrose oil), diuretic vegetables, such as fennel, cucumber and cabbage (try cooking cabbage in a minimum amount of water and drink the water that is left after cooking).
• Drinks to avoid: excess caffeine found in tea, coffee and cola.