Causes of
Severe
Premenstrual Cramps
by
Raquel Martin
with Judi Gerstung, D.C.
 Speaking
from my personal experience -- life could have been so
sweet if I'd had a glance into the future! But then
again, it might not have been as enlightening or
purposeful. The struggle to reach our goals is often as
rewarding as their final attainment. Even uncovering
small pieces of information that eventually lead up to
the big picture can be fulfilling.
One such
piece came to me in the mail in a medical report from
which I learned that cramping starts when the adrenal
gland has been drained of its cortisone reserve. Another
article came from the Cancer Forum, published by the
Foundation for Advancement in Cancer Therapy, presenting
Dr. Lee's findings. It helped me understand that
progesterone is a precursor of cortisone, which is made
by the adrenal glands.13
In
reading about this, I could easily remember suffering
from severe cramps as a teenager. The pain would be so
intense that wherever I was -- at work or school -- I
would often faint. I would end up in the clinic for the
rest of the day with a hot water bottle, hot tea, and
aspirin every two hours. As women of menstrual age
continue to have these problems, it's appalling that
education on natural solutions is not available from
most of our doctors. Instead, unnecessary suffering
continues, and medical doctors continue to prescribe the
common synthetic drugs.
Yet,
many women have found progesterone to be a
pain-relieving hormone. Cramping at the onset of a
period can be painful and disruptive, but progesterone
helps alleviate the discomfort by assisting the adrenal
glands to create cortisone. According to Betty Kamen,
Ph.D., some physicians now advise the "application
of one-half teaspoon of the cream to the abdomen every
30 minutes until cramping subsides".14
Anecdotal
testimony comes from Dr. Linda Force, who tells me that
prior to using the progesterone cream, she had a problem
with clotting during her periods. But administering the
cream has given her a normal, even flow and kept her
periods regular. She now applies it every morning and
evening, right up to the time her period begins. When
her period stops, she starts all over again.
Be
aware, however, that many doctors fail to associate our
symptoms with PMS or menopause. They do not typically
recognize and acknowledge our difficulties as being
related to progesterone deficiency, but rather attempt
to treat only our symptoms.15
An example of this can be seen with many postmenopausal
women who are not aware of the significance of the
decline in their progesterone levels. They are finding
that even though they eat low-fat foods, their
cholesterol levels have become elevated. Since they are
often put on unopposed conjugated synthetic estrogen,
their LDL (less desirable) cholesterol has consistently
risen. This is the result of estrogen dominance. Instead
of neutralizing this dangerous hormone with natural
progesterone, the doctor will often prescribe one of the
many drugs that lower cholesterol. Meanwhile, the
estrogen in their bodies remains unopposed and continues
to be threatening.
It is
vital to keep our thoughts focused on the natural
alternatives to these drugs. It's comforting to realize
that experts have found a combination of all-natural
ingredients that will work to create a proper balance
between a woman's own estrogen and progesterone.
Replacement of the body's own natural progesterone
addresses any deficiency, and the result is relief from
many worrisome symptoms.
Transdermal
Progesterone Creams
In
determining how much transdermal progesterone cream to
use, we need to be aware that optimal ovarian production
of progesterone is somewhere in the range 15 to 30 mg
per day from ovulation to menses. However, if a woman
becomes pregnant, the placenta also begins a steadily
increasing production of progesterone, reaching an upper
limit of 300-400 mg per day during the third trimester.
This is a wide margin, in contrast to the narrow
thresholds of many of the body's other physiological
ranges.
As
progesterone only lasts in the body for six to eight
hours, it's important to apply 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon at
least once in the morning and once in the evening.
Progesterone cream can be massaged directly into the
skin almost anywhere it's thin or soft -- such as the
wrists, inner arms, back of the hands, chest, breasts,
lower abdomen, inner thighs, back, soles of the feet,
face, and neck. It is preferable to alternate
application among these various areas of the body to
retain receptor sensitivity and to avoid wasteful
oversaturation of any one area. The progesterone travels
through the skin into the subdermal fat and then into
the bloodstream. It is available either by prescription
or in nonprescription form. Potency will vary, depending
on your doctor's prescription and the individual
manufacturer. Suggestions for specific uses follow.
Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS)/Perimenopause
Some
instructions say that the amount needed by a cycling
female will vary according to the degree of symptoms. If
a woman is still having periods, progesterone works
effectively when administered just prior to ovulation
through just prior to menses. In more severe cases of
PMS or perimenopause, start using the cream on
approximately day 12, counting the first day of your
last menstrual period as day l; and continue its use
until day 26 or 27 (just before your next period
begins). It is the sudden decrease in progesterone
levels that triggers the menses a day or two later.
For
minor symptoms, use the cream for fewer days, such as
only ten days per month (count to day 16 from your last
menstrual period and use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon once or
twice daily until day 26). This would provide the
minimal amount and length of time necessary to begin
buildup of adequate progesterone levels.
If you
have cramping, apply to the abdomen as frequently as
every half hour as needed for relief. If you suffer from
menstrual migraines, you can apply the cream to your
temples and to the back of your neck until the pain
eases.
Should
you become pregnant while using the cream, I recommend
that you carefully read the documented information in
chapter 3 (of my book) concerning the use of
progesterone during pregnancy. The benefits from this
kind of hormonal support cannot be emphasized enough.
References,
click here.
 This
article was excerpted from the book: The
Estrogen Alternative by Raquel Martin with Judi
Gerstung, D.C. Reprinted with permission fo the
publisher: Healing Arts Press, a division of Inner
Traditions International, www.innertraditions.com
Click here to order this book.
|
Editor's Note: Where to buy this product
Due to readers' requests
we have searched and found
a source of a progesterone cream mentioned in the article.
We now sell a progesterone cream "Pure-gesterone""
which contains progesterone as well as herbs.
To read more on this product
or to purchase some,
click here.
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About The Authors
Raquel
Martin suffered for years after the left side of her body was temporarily
paralyzed from a blood clot in her brain in the early 1970s. She
went to many specialists and tried many drugs which caused further chaos
in her body. Eventually she learned to do her own research and make her
own decisions. She discovered the cause of her disorders and took control
of her health. She has recovered, and her life is now dedicated to
spreading information about the need for safe natural alternative
therapies. Her other works include Today's
Health Alternative &
Preventing
and Reversing Arthritis Naturally. Visit her website: www.healthcare-alternatives.com
for information on upcoming seminars.
Judi Gerstung, D.C., is a chiropractor and radiologist with special
interest in the detection and prevention of osteoporosis. She lives in
Colorado.
Another
article by these authors.
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