Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological symptoms in women, referring to the discomfort symptoms such as abdominal pain and lower back pain during menstruation. Dysmenorrhea has a significant impact on women's daily life and work. So, what methods can help relieve dysmenorrhea? Experts recommend trying the massage method for dysmenorrhea, which can effectively alleviate various discomforts caused by dysmenorrhea!
【Causes of Dysmenorrhea in Women】
1. Excessive Prostaglandins
The prostaglandins secreted by the endometrium can promote the contraction of the uterine muscles and blood vessels, helping to discharge menstrual blood. However, if the secretion is excessive, it can cause strong spasmodic contractions of the uterine muscles and ischemia of the uterine wall, resulting in pain.
2. Shedding of Endometrium
During menstruation, the endometrium may not break into fragments but shed as a whole, making it difficult to discharge. Narrow cervical opening or excessive flexion of the uterus can cause uterine contractions and spasms, leading to pain.
3. Endometriosis
Endometriosis, where the endometrium grows outside the uterus, undergoes cyclic changes with hormone levels. It also experiences bleeding during menstruation, but the blood cannot flow out of the body like menstrual blood, instead it stays in the ectopic site. Therefore, dysmenorrhea often starts 1 to 3 days before menstruation and lasts for several days after menstruation, gradually worsening.
4. External Factors
Overly tense emotions, significant mood swings during menstruation, physical weakness due to lack of exercise, and heightened sensitivity and poor tolerance to pain can all lead to dysmenorrhea.
【Self-Massage Method for Dysmenorrhea】
Treating dysmenorrhea with massage often has better results than medication and has no side effects. The following is an introduction to the massage treatment method for dysmenorrhea: start by massaging the lower back, then the abdomen, and finally the lower limbs.
1. Use fingers or the base of the palm to knead and massage the muscles and related acupoints such as the spine, lumbar vertebrae, and various other acupoints on both sides.
2. Lightly tap the tender points on the lower back with a fist.
3. Use fingers to knead and massage the painful muscles on the abdomen and the acupoints such as Shenque, Qihai, Guanyuan, Tianshu, Wailin, and Dajue.
4. Use fingers to pinch and massage the acupoints such as Yinbao, Xuehai, Sanyinjiao, and Taichong on the lower limbs.
Effectiveness: After massaging the lower back for 5 minutes, the abdominal pain will begin to alleviate. Continuously massage the lower back and abdomen for 20 minutes, and the abdominal pain will disappear.
Massage once a day for 3-5 consecutive 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 key to achieving the desired results.
【Dietary Therapy 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. Boil the first two ingredients in water and cook the coix seed porridge until it is 80% cooked. Mix the medicinal juice with the porridge and continue cooking until fully cooked.
Effectiveness: It has the effects of warming the menstrual flow, promoting blood circulation, dispelling cold, eliminating dampness, and nourishing the skin. It is suitable for dysmenorrhea caused by cold and dampness.
2. Motherwort and Cyperus Rotundus Soup
Take 100 grams of motherwort, 100 grams of cyperus rotundus, 250 grams of chicken meat, and 5 scallions. Mince the scallions and cook them with chicken meat, motherwort, and cyperus rotundus in water. Drink the soup and eat the chicken meat.
Effectiveness: It is suitable for dysmenorrhea and can improve skin complexion.
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 boil them with brown sugar. Drink the decoction and eat the jujubes.
Effectiveness: It has the effect of warming the menstrual flow and dispelling cold. It is suitable for dysmenorrhea caused by cold and can also treat melasma.
