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Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, affect a significant number of women every month, causing discomfort, pain, and distress. At Patients Medical in New York City, we believe in treating menstrual cramps at their root cause, rather than simply masking the symptoms. Through our integrative approach, we combine conventional, holistic, and functional medicine to understand the factors contributing to menstrual pain and help alleviate it naturally.
We focus on the whole person, not just the pain, by addressing lifestyle factors, hormonal imbalances, and other underlying conditions that may be contributing to the cramps.
Menstrual cramps are sharp or dull pains in the lower abdomen that occur just before or during menstruation. The pain arises from the uterus contracting to help shed its lining. These contractions are caused by prostaglandins, hormone-like substances. While cramps are common, excessive pain can be a sign of an underlying issue, such as endometriosis or fibroids.
Types of Menstrual Cramps:
Many women experience menstrual cramps as part of their monthly cycle, but the severity can vary. Common symptoms include:
If your cramps interfere with your daily activities or seem unusually painful, it may be time to seek medical advice.
Functional medicine helps us identify the root causes of menstrual cramps, going beyond just the symptoms to address the factors that trigger or worsen the pain. Common underlying causes include:
To understand the root cause of your menstrual cramps, we use a variety of diagnostic tests, including:
We provide personalized nutritional recommendations that focus on reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, and supporting overall reproductive health. This may include:
Our approach includes targeted herbal and nutraceutical treatments to relieve menstrual cramps naturally. Some of the recommended supplements may include:
These supplements are dosed and monitored by a physician based on individual needs.
We address hormonal imbalances that contribute to menstrual cramps through bioidentical hormone therapy and natural supplementation, including:
Chronic stress can worsen menstrual cramps by increasing cortisol levels and triggering inflammation. We use:
Acupuncture has been shown to relieve pain and improve blood flow to the uterus. We offer acupuncture sessions designed to reduce cramping and improve overall reproductive health.
Sarah, 30, came to us with severe menstrual cramps that prevented her from participating in daily activities. After extensive testing, we found hormonal imbalances and early signs of endometriosis.
We developed a customized treatment plan for Sarah, which included:
Three months later, Sarah reported a significant reduction in her menstrual cramps, better energy levels, and improved overall well-being.
Menstrual cramps are often caused by prostaglandins, but underlying conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and hormonal imbalances can exacerbate the pain.
Yes, primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods without any underlying condition) is common and occurs due to natural uterine contractions.
Cramps typically last 2-3 days at the start of your period. Prolonged pain may indicate an underlying issue and should be evaluated.
Yes, chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can intensify menstrual cramps by triggering inflammation and muscle tension.
Natural treatments include anti-inflammatory foods, herbal supplements like turmeric and ginger, magnesium, and acupuncture.
If your cramps are severe, last longer than usual, or are accompanied by heavy bleeding or other symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor.
Yes, an imbalance in estrogen or progesterone can worsen cramps, especially if there is estrogen dominance.
While cramps can’t always be prevented, adopting a healthy diet, managing stress, and balancing hormones can reduce their intensity.
For some women, cramps may become more intense with age, particularly if they develop conditions like fibroids or endometriosis.
Managing cramps naturally involves lifestyle changes, nutritional therapy, stress reduction, and herbal supplements to address inflammation and hormonal balance.
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.
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
Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128
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All information presented in this website is intended for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of rendering medical advice. Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Patients Medical.