Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological symptoms in women, referring to the discomfort symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and backache during menstruation. Dysmenorrhea has a great impact on women's daily life and work. So, what methods can relieve dysmenorrhea? Experts recommend trying dysmenorrhea massage, which can effectively alleviate various discomfort caused by dysmenorrhea!
【Causes of Dysmenorrhea in Women】
1. Excessive Prostaglandins
The prostaglandins secreted by the endometrium can promote the contraction of the uterus muscles and blood vessels, helping to discharge menstrual blood. However, if the secretion is excessive, it can cause strong spasmodic contractions of the uterine muscle fibers and ischemia of the uterine wall, resulting in pain.
2. Shedding of the Endometrium
During menstruation, the endometrium does not break into pieces but sheds as a whole, making it difficult to discharge. If the cervical opening is narrow or the uterus is excessively bent, the menstrual blood cannot flow smoothly, resulting in uterine contractions or spasmodic contractions and pain.
3. Endometriosis
Endometriosis, as the ectopic endometrium undergoes cyclical changes with the endocrine system, also undergoes bleeding during menstruation. However, it cannot flow out of the body like menstruation, but remains in the ectopic site. Therefore, dysmenorrhea often starts from 1 to 3 days before menstruation and lasts for several days after menstruation, gradually intensifying.
4. External Factors
Excessive mental stress or emotional fluctuations during menstruation, physical weakness and lack of exercise, and high sensitivity to pain and poor tolerance can all lead to dysmenorrhea.
【Self-Massage for Dysmenorrhea】
Treating dysmenorrhea with massage often has better results than medication and has no side effects. The following is a massage treatment method for dysmenorrhea: massage the back and waist first, then the abdomen, and finally the lower limbs.
1. Use fingers or palm roots to rub and press the muscles from the 11th thoracic vertebra to the 2nd lumbar vertebra on the back, and rub and press the relevant acupoints such as the spinal center, hanging pivot, life gate, paraspinal, spleen shu, stomach shu, sanjiao shu, kidney shu, and zhi shu;
2. Use fists to lightly pound the tender spots on the back and waist;
3. Use fingers to rub and press the painful muscles in the abdomen and the acupoints such as Shenque, Qihai, Guanyuan, Tianshu, Wailin, and Daju;
4. Use fingers to pinch and press the acupoints such as Yinbao, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, and Taichong in the lower limbs.
Efficacy: After massaging the back and waist for 5 minutes, the abdominal pain will begin to decrease. Continue massaging the back, waist, and abdomen for 20 minutes, and the abdominal pain will disappear.
Massage once a day, continuously for 3-5 days. For those with a history of dysmenorrhea, massage can be started 2 days before menstruation. To consolidate the effect, massage once every 2-3 days. Consistency is required to achieve the desired effect.
【Dietary Remedies for Dysmenorrhea】
1. Ginger, Artemisia Leaf, and Coix Seed Porridge
Take 10 grams of dried ginger, 10 grams of Artemisia leaf, and 30 grams of coix seed. Decoct the first two ingredients to obtain the juice, and cook the coix seed into porridge until 80% cooked. Cook together with the medicinal juice until fully cooked.
Efficacy: It has the effects of warming the menstrual flow, promoting blood circulation, dispelling cold, removing dampness, and moisturizing the skin. It is suitable for dysmenorrhea caused by cold and dampness.
2. Motherwort and Cyperus Soup
Take 100 grams of motherwort, 100 grams of cyperus, 250 grams of chicken, and 5 scallions. Crush the scallions, and decoct together with the chicken, motherwort, and cyperus. Drink the soup and eat the chicken.
Efficacy: It is suitable for dysmenorrhea and can also nourish the skin.
3. Ginger, Jujube, and Brown Sugar Water
Take 30 grams of dried ginger, 30 grams of jujube, and 30 grams of brown sugar. Wash the first two ingredients, slice the dried ginger, remove the jujube pits, and cook with brown sugar. Drink the soup and eat the jujubes.
Efficacy: It has the effects of warming the menstrual flow and dispelling cold. It is suitable for dysmenorrhea caused by cold and brown spots.
