What causes Dysmenorrhea?

What causes stomach ulcers?

Introduction: Why Period Pain Needs a Root-Cause Approach

Dysmenorrhea—commonly known as painful periods—affects up to 90% of menstruating women. At Patients Medical in NYC, we recognize that menstrual pain is not “just part of being a woman.” Our integrative team uses functional medicine to uncover the why behind your period pain—so we can help you find natural, lasting relief.

We treat more than just the uterus. We treat the whole woman—hormonally, emotionally, and biologically.

What Is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain associated with menstruation. It typically involves cramping in the lower abdomen but may also cause lower back pain, nausea, fatigue, or even headaches.

There are two primary types:

  • Primary Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods not linked to an underlying health condition, often beginning in adolescence.
  • Secondary Dysmenorrhea: Menstrual pain caused by another condition such as endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Common Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea

If period pain regularly disrupts your life, it’s time to explore deeper causes.

Root Causes: Why Are Your Periods Painful?

In conventional medicine, dysmenorrhea is often treated with painkillers or hormonal birth control. But functional medicine investigates why your body is creating pain in the first place. Some common root causes include:

  • Hormone Imbalance: Excess estrogen or low progesterone can lead to inflammation and uterine muscle overactivity.
  • Chronic Inflammation: Triggers from diet, toxins, or gut imbalance can amplify menstrual pain.
  • Elevated Prostaglandins: These hormone-like chemicals trigger stronger uterine contractions and pain.
  • Estrogen Dominance: Too much circulating estrogen (often due to poor detoxification) can worsen cramps and PMS.
  • Poor Liver Detoxification: Impaired estrogen clearance can increase pain and bloating.
  • Leaky Gut or Gut Dysbiosis: Gut health impacts hormone balance and inflammation.
  • Stress and Cortisol Imbalance: Stress affects hormone regulation and increases sensitivity to pain.

Diagnostic Testing We Use

We go beyond standard gynecological tests to assess your unique biochemical environment:

Female hormone panels (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

Cortisol and adrenal function testing

Gut health tests (stool analysis, leaky gut markers)

Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6)

Heavy metal and toxin testing

MTHFR and detox gene analysis

Food sensitivity testing

Thyroid hormone panel (TSH, free T3, T4, antibodies)

Integrative Treatments for Dysmenorrhea

Nutritional Therapy

Food is medicine. We design anti-inflammatory diets personalized to your metabolism and menstrual cycle:

  • Organic, whole-food, hormone-supportive diets
  • Elimination of dairy, gluten, or sugar (if sensitive)
  • Menstrual phase-based meal plans
  • Liver-supportive foods (cruciferous vegetables, beets, lemon water)

IV Vitamin Therapy

IV infusions deliver nutrients directly to cells and reduce inflammation:

  • B vitamins
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin C
  • Glutathione for detox
  • Trace minerals

Herbal & Nutraceutical Support

Targeted supplementation can restore hormone harmony and relieve pain:

  • Vitex (Chasteberry)
  • Magnesium glycinate
  • Evening primrose oil
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • DIM and calcium-D-glucarate
  • Curcumin (turmeric extract)
  • Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola)

All supplements are customized and physician-supervised.

Stress & Adrenal Support

Chronic stress throws hormones off balance. We help regulate your stress response with:

  • Guided meditation and breathwork
  • Herbal adrenal tonics
  • Sleep optimization
  • Acupuncture or craniosacral therapy

Hormonal Balance & Detox

We optimize estrogen-progesterone ratios using:

  • Bioidentical hormone therapy (if needed)
  • Liver detoxification protocols
  • Castor oil packs
  • Infrared sauna therapy

Pelvic & Reproductive Organ Support

Some women benefit from gentle therapies like:

  • Mayan abdominal massage
  • Pelvic floor physical therapy
  • Low-level laser therapy

Real Case Study: Nina’s Period Pain Breakthrough

Nina, 31, had suffered from painful cramps, mood swings, and nausea since her teens. Birth control helped for a while—but the symptoms returned worse after stopping.

Testing revealed:

  • Estrogen dominance
  • Low progesterone
  • Inflammation in the gut
  • Elevated cortisol

Her 12-week plan included:

  • Liver detox with food and supplements
  • Magnesium and omega-3 therapy
  • Vitex and DIM for hormonal balance
  • Meditation for stress reduction

Result: Her cramps became manageable, her mood stabilized, and she no longer feared her period each month.

What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Common causes include hormonal imbalances (especially excess prostaglandins), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and stress-related inflammation.

Yes. High estrogen or low progesterone levels can lead to increased prostaglandin production, which causes stronger uterine contractions and more pain.

Absolutely. Stress increases cortisol, which disrupts hormonal balance and contributes to inflammation—worsening cramps.

Inflammatory foods like sugar, dairy, red meat, alcohol, and caffeine can worsen cramps by increasing prostaglandins and disrupting hormones.

Yes. Poor gut health and leaky gut syndrome can influence hormone detoxification and raise inflammation, contributing to painful periods.

Not always, but it can be a symptom of conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or ovarian cysts. Evaluation is key.

Magnesium, ginger, turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, castor oil packs, acupuncture, and herbal blends like cramp bark or vitex can help.

We focus on root causes—hormonal testing, nutritional support, detox pathways, stress balance, and gut health—rather than just suppressing pain.

They may reduce symptoms temporarily, but they don’t address the underlying cause. Once stopped, pain may return.

Many patients experience lasting relief with a customized integrative protocol that targets root causes like hormone imbalance, inflammation, and lifestyle triggers.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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