Health topic

Menstrual disorders

It is the time of the month again!

The days just before and during a woman's period can be rather trying and lots of irksome complaints do not disappear until menstruation sets in.
 
Just because your hormones are going "haywire", you do not have to be down in the dumps, and a woman does not have to feel like a victim of her own biology.
 
Herbal remedies such as e.g. Cefanorm^® can help you to make the days before your period problem-free again. Cefanorm^® provides gentle relief for menstrual disorders without any hormones.

What happens to your body?

Hormones in a spin - the monthly cycle
Hormones are messenger substances that circulate in the bloodstream and are produced by certain glands. They take their effect once they have reached their targets. We distinguish between hormones that govern the metabolism (e.g. insulin) and sex hormones (e.g. estrogens and gestagens in females).
 
Estrogens are produced in the ovaries. They stimulate the maturation and transport of the egg cell and its implantation in the uterus, are responsible for bone stability and can cause undesirable retention of water in the tissues (edemas). This happens mostly in the first half of the monthly cycle (up to the 15th day).
 
Gestagens are secreted by the corpus luteum or "yellow body". The corpus luteum is formed in an ovary at the site of the follicle after ovulation. The hormone produced there, has a protective function if a pregnancy occurs resp. degenerates if the egg is not fertilised. Gestagens are increasingly produced in the second half of the monthly cycle.
 
Every month a mature egg cell develops in the ovaries. After ovulation this egg is released from the ovary, enters the fallopian tube and travels to the uterus.
 
When fertilised by a male sperm cell, the egg is implanted in the prepared uterus. If no fertilisation takes place, the egg is discharged with the uterine mucosa. This process repeats itself every four weeks, around 400 to 500 times until the menopause. Menstruation sets in, finishing the cycle so that a new one may begin.
 
These changes are controlled by the interaction of the diencephalon, pituitary gland and the ovaries. Hormones transport commands from the diencephalon to the pituitary gland and from there to the ovaries.
 
The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, but cycles ranging from 25 to 31 days are not abnormal. Menstruation (bleeding) itself generally lasts 4 to 7 days.

Complaints before the onset of menstruation

They have been termed premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A few days before their period ("premenstrual" means "before menstruation") many women experience physical and emotional changes. Most of these complaints disappear after menstruation has begun. Physical symptoms may include migraine-like headaches, breast tension, swelling, edemas, lower abdominal cramps, nausea, sensation of fullness, bloating, constipation or fatigue. Skin problems may become even worse.
 
The emotional symptoms range from nervousness, irritability, mood swings, depression and lack of concentration to insomnia. These disorders may be caused by hormonal imbalance. If the corpus luteum degenerates prematurely or too much estrogen is secreted in the egg follicles, this leads to a higher level of estrogen in the bloodstream. Complaints may be triggered or aggravated by emotional and social stress.
 
On average, the syndrome affects 30 to 40 per cent of all women. PMS seems to occur more frequently in women aged 30 and over.

Cycle-related breast pain

Hormonal imbalances may also lead to tension or pain in the breasts caused by water retention in the tissue fluids. These complaints mostly occur in the second half of the cycle. In the two weeks before the end of the cycle the level of gestagens normally predominates, but if estrogen levels are higher, this may lead to PMS-like complaints.

Irregular periods

The causes of overly frequent or infrequent periods or of abnormally heavy or weak bleeding may also be traced back to hormonal disturbances. But emotional pressure and stress may also trigger these disorders.

Is there a natural alternative?

For the treatment of premenstrual complaints, breast tension and swelling and for the normalisation of an irregular monthly cycle there is an effective alternative - a purely herbal remedy without any hormones: Vitex Agnus castus (English: Chaste tree or Monk's pepper).
 
Agnus castus is a shrub native to the Mediterranean region and Asia and is a well-known ancient remedy for female disorders - especially infertility. Its name "Agnus castus" is derived from the Latin "castitas" (chastity) and its equation with the Greek "agnos" (lamb).
According to Greek mythology, the goddess Hera, known as the "protector of marriage", was born under an Agnus castus shrub. And even today Vitex Agnus castus branches are a symbol of chastity. This explains why the plant is known as Chaste tree or Monk's pepper in English.
 

How does Monk’s pepper works

The ingredients of the Monk’s pepper stabilise and regulate the female hormonal cycle naturally, restoring the natural balance between estrogen and gestagen. Complaints are improved noticeably and disappear. Side effects of this natural, purely herbal remedy are rare. In addition, normalisation of the cycle may help to improve the ability to conceive. And it can control skin problems.
 
Cefanorm^®
- stabilizes and regulates the monthly cycle
- stimulates the corpus luteum
- reduces cycle-related breast complaints
- relieves pain during menstruation
- reduces typical complaints before the onset of menstruation
 
Cefanorm^® harmonises body and soul, especially in the days before your period, reliably and without hormones.

What can you do yourself?

• A nutrition with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, fibres and unsaturated fatty acids. Reduce your intake of fat and protein, especially of animal origin, and replace by carbohydrates. Cover your protein and fat needs mostly by milk, dairy products, cheese, quark, yoghurt, kefir and eggs. Cut your intake of sweets.
• Eat less salt (may reduce water retention in the tissues).
• Avoid coffee, black tea, cocoa and coke.
• Take regular exercise and sport, gymnastics and walks in the fresh air. Try to get going your circulation every morning. Exercise your pelvic floor muscles.
• Relieve emotional and physical tensions with breathing and relaxation exercises (yoga, autogenic training) or in a hot bath.
• Keep a menstrual calendar where you record the type and occurrence of your complaints over a period of several months. This will help you to deal better with the critical days.
• Get enough sleep
• Take a brine bath, a mudbath, a steam bath or visit the sauna.
• Talk to your family about your problems during the time in question. Your environment will show more understanding and treat you more considerately.