Absence of flow when normally expected is called Amenorrhea.
Scanty flow is known as Oligomenorrhea.
Painful menstruation is Dysmenorrhea.
Excessive loss of blood is termed Menorrhagia.
Loss of blood during intermenstrual periods (between periods) is known as spotting or Metrorrhagia.
In all the above cases, the gynocologist should make the diagnosis and prescribe treatment, rule out causes, complications, etc.
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In addition to the previously mentioned in the definitions, symptoms may include: depression, cramps, water retention, skin eruptions, headaches, bloated abdomen, backache, cramps, breast swelling and tenderness, insomnia, fatigue, nervousness, (See also PMS) joint pain, fainting spells, and changes in personality (such as outbursts of anger, violence, and thoughts of suicide).
Menstrual pain in young girls is often severe and relatively long-lasting. Especially at the onset of the menstrual period, the pain usually is experienced as severe. Ideally a gynecologist should be seen at the outset of menstrual periods to determine if everything is normal. If normal, the aches and pains can be eased or cured by a cup of chamomile tea, drunk very warm, or with peppermint tea or even caraway tea. These herbs contain essential oils with antispasmodic effects. Rotate the three teas, if preferred. Prepare the tea: pour 8 oz. boiling water over 2 heaping tbsp. of the herb, let steep, covered, for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink 3 cups of tea daily.
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treatment
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Calcium with magnesium chloride, 1,500 mg. per day, relieves cramping, backache, and nervousness.
Primrose oil, 2 capsules 3 times per day. Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. 3 times per day, reduces water retention. Vitamin E, 400 IU at first, increase to 800 IU, helps relieve sore breasts, and improves oxygen utilization.
Kelp, 4 tablets per day, is a good mineral source. L-Lysine, 500 mg. daily, start 5 days before menstrual period for those who suffer from hypoglycemia and/or herpes. L-Tyrosine, 500 mg. daily, is needed to reduce anxiety, depression and headache.
Multivitamin and mineral complex with manganese, taken as directed on the label. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 3,000 mg. daily in divided doses, helps in the relief of discomfort and breast swelling, and boosts the immune system. Vitamin D, taken as directed on the label, is needed for uptake of calcium and magnesium.
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The following herbs are taken in teas for difficult menstruation.
- Balm, lemon
- Black Haw
- Blessed thistle
- Calendula
- Camomile, German
- Catnip
- Celery
- Cohosh, blue
- Dittany
- Dong quai
- Marjoram, wild
- Oak
- Pasque flower
- Pennyroyal
- Raspberry, red
- Rosemary
- St. John's wort
- Strawberry, wild
- Valerian
- Willow, white
- Yam, wild
- Yarrow
The following herbs are taken in teas for excessive menstruation. (to decrease flow)
- Alum, wild root
- Bayberry bark
- Birthroot
- Bistort root
- Burnet, great
- Burnet saxifrage
- Ceyenne pepper
- Comfrey
- Goldenseal
- Lungwort
- Nutmeg
- Pilewort
- Plantain
- Sanicle, American
- Shepherd's purse
- Smartweed
- Sorrel
- Strawberry, wild
- Yarrow
The following herbs are taken in teas for tardy menstruation.
- Birthroot
- Blessed thistle
- Cohosh, black
- Cramp bark
- Dong quai
- Ginger, wild
- Lady's mantle
- Lovage
- Marjoram, sweet
- Nettle
- Parsley
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint
- Ragwort, European
- Raspberry leaves
- Rosemary
- Skullcap
- Sumac
- Tarragon
- Watercress
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The Nature Doctor
, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991
Back to Eden
, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994
The Healing Plants, by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973
The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1984, sixth printing 1994.
Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists, by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Company, Inc., West Nyack, NY, 1987.
Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000
The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)
The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.
Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992
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