Menstrual Products

Women who suffer from menstrual problems such as pain and bleeding quickly discover that there are thousands of menstrual products to treat those conditions available. Indeed there are so many treatments out there that many feel confused and overwhelmed.

Fortunately it is possible to divide these treatments up into a number of categories which will make it easier for women to understand the products and what they do. Once a woman understands the treatments she should know what menstrual products to use.

Pain Relievers

There are hundreds of pain relievers for menstrual problems, often sold as “PMS relief products;” out there. The main thing that women should understand about these menstrual products is that they do not treat or relieve menstrual problems.

Instead all these products do is relieve the symptom, namely the pain. The underlying condition remains and will still need to be dealt with.

Many pain relievers including aspirin, ibuprofen (Tylenol) and products such as Aleve and Advil can be effect in relieving in menstrual pain. Women should certainly take products to relieve pain but they should realize that these products won’t make the condition go away.

Natural Supplements

Natural supplements can be very effective in getting rid of menstrual problems. The reason natural supplements work is that many menstrual problems are caused by hormonal imbalances.

Taking supplements rich in Vitamin E, B6, calcium and magnesium can help menstrual problems. It may take a while for the supplements to work so women will still have to use pain relievers while taking them.

Women should know that these supplements won’t work if you eat a lousy diet. Women who smoke, drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, and eat a lot of sweets and salty snacks will make menstrual problems worse. Natural supplements will not work unless women change their diets.

In some cases women could be able to achieve the same effects as natural supplements through dietary changes. The dietary changes should be accompanied by increases in exercise and stress reduction efforts.

Some natural treatments including evening primrose and natural progesterone could have similar effects. Unfortunately the scientific data on these treatments is not conclusive.

Birth Control Products

It is true that certain birth control products including the pill, the patch and some kinds of IUD can relieve some menstrual problems. Unfortunately these birth control devices are not designed as menstrual products.

The birth control devices affect menstruation in much the same way that natural supplements do by affecting the body’s hormonal balance. Affecting the hormonal balance can eliminate some menstrual problems such as excessive bleeding.

A woman should never use birth control products as menstrual products unless it has been recommended by her doctor. Ask your gynecologist before switching birth control devices to treat menstrual problems.

Other Treatments

In some cases women should be able to clear up menstrual problems without using menstrual products. Changes in diet, lifestyle changes and increased exercise can all get rid of some menstrual problems.

Reducing stress, quitting smoking, exercise and eating a healthy diet can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of menstrual problems. Lifestyle changes require hard work but they are cheaper and often more effective.