Homeopathic treatment is a good option for menstrual problems, and in this post I am going to write specifically about painful periods.  Homeopathy can be used flexibly in this situation: professional support takes into account your personal symptom profile, your menstrual history and other individual factors, with the aim of re-establishing endocrine balance, reducing pain and normalising flow.  You can usually expect a steady and gradual improvement while working with a homeopath, over the course of a few cycles.

Self care can be very helpful where menstrual pain is intense and debilitating, and while you are considering or just beginning professional care.  I have included below several of the top self care options – those remedies which correspond to some of the more common experiences of women who have painful periods.  A remedy matched carefully to your individual pain pattern will bring a clear improvement.

Homeopathy works by the principle of similarity: your body recognises the stimulus of a remedy that matches your symptom profile, and begins to engage healing.  This can feel like the right key in a lock, releasing a stuck pattern.

Top urgent self care options

Before I describe some of the first line remedies for period pain, it is important to consider whether there may be an underlying cause.  Secondary dysmenorrhoea is period pain that arises from another condition – including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or cervical polyps, for example.  If you are concerned, especially if your periods had been relatively pain free for a number of years, or if over the counter analgesics make no difference, it is important to see your doctor for investigation of possible underlying causes.  

The selection of the most suitable homeopathic medicine for your personal menstrual pain pattern, relies on observation of the following aspects: the pain sensation you experience, the typical location of the pain, and the factors that influence your experience of the pain.  You will see examples of these below.  Your self selection of homeopathic remedies (and your description of your symptoms if you decide to work with a homeopath) will become much more accurate if you begin to tune in to your personal pain patterns, and make a note of your experience for reference.

Here are my go to remedies for urgent self care (30c potency is a safe and effective option, taken sparingly as needed, according to minimum dose principles):

Mag phos – the period pain is felt as shooting or radiating.  It feels better for warmth or warm applications (eg a hot water bottle or heated blanket), and better for firm pressure or massage.  The pain eases up once the flow begins.

Chamomilla – pain that is intense and distressing, described as labour-like and spasmodic, and typically accompanied by marked irritability.  It may be accompanied by vomiting and faintness (Chamomilla is a key remedy for faintness with menstrual pain), and may also be worse at night, preventing sleep.  Pains may also be felt in the thighs.

Colocynthis – period pain that is characterised by extremely intense cramping, which is somewhat relieved by hard pressure or bending double (you may notice an urge to draw your knees up to your chest, lie flat on your abdomen to create pressure, or lean over a hard chair).  The pain comes on suddenly and violently, and may be accompanied by moaning and vomiting.

Kali carb – the main remedy for period pain that is felt as a heavy aching in the lower back, eased by direct pressure.  Constipation during the period is also common.

Further remedies for painful periods

There are a large number of great homeopathic remedies for menstrual pain, depending on your personal menstrual pattern and experience of the pain.  Here are just a few of them, with a brief symptom profile.  The best way of ensuring you find a remedy that gets a good improvement on track, is to work with a homeopath for professional care.

Calc phos – I often prescribe this in tissue salt (also known as cell salt) potency 6X.  It is a strong uterine support choice, and can be taken regularly in this low potency.  The menstrual pain profile includes violent backache during the period, with weakness and exhaustion.

Belladonna – a useful remedy where the period pains come on suddenly and violently, and are throbbing or pulsating in character.  There is typically a feeling of heat and fullness in region of the uterus.   The pain is worse for movement, and may typically be accompanied by a headache.  

Pulsatilla – period pains may cause weeping or fainting.  Pain tends to increase with the flow, and may be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhoea.  Symptoms are eased by fresh air, and worse in a closed or warm room.

Nux vomica – there is intense cramping, and the pains may spread to other parts of the body, especially to the back and thighs.  Symptoms are typically better after a bowel movement, and worse for pressure (in contrast to Mag phos), and better for loosening clothing across the abdomen.  The pains may be eased by lying on the back.

Viburnum – this remedy is known by herbalists as cramp bark.  The pain is typically felt in the small of the back and radiates to the thighs and abdomen.  It is worse before and at the beginning of the period, and eases as the flow increases.  Pains are felt intensely, worse from lying on the left side, and are accompanied by restlessness and irritability.

Apis – Apis is often indicated when there is ovarian pain during the period, typically felt as burning or stinging, and more prominently on the right side.  Menstrual cramps are typically felt as cutting or stinging pains in the uterus and right ovary.

Xanthoxylum – a less well known but important remedy in the treatment of menstrual problems.  Period pains are intense and neuralgic, described as violent grinding pains in the pelvic region, often accompanied by an intense and distressing headache.

Additional support measures

Alongside homeopathic self care and professional support, here are some additional self help measures that some women find helpful, and studies have shown may be effective in reducing primary menstrual pain.

Magnesium supplementation – 360 mg per day, for at least three days prior to your period.

Vitamin B1 – 100mg daily is typically recommended.

Increase intake of Omega 3 fatty acids (especially EPA/DHA – found in fish and algae).

Professional homeopathic support

If you would like to consider professional homeopathic help for your painful periods, you can book a free 30 minute discovery call with me here:  https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/