Definition

Absence of flow when normally expected is called Amenorrhea.
Scanty flow is known as Oligomenorrhea.
Painful menstruation is Dysmenorrhea.
Excessive loss of blood is termed Menorrhagia.
Loss of blood during intermenstrual periods (between periods) is known as spotting or Metrorrhagia.
In all the above cases, the gynocologist should make the diagnosis and prescribe treatment, rule out causes, complications, etc.
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Symptoms

In addition to the previously mentioned in the definitions, symptoms may include: depression, cramps, water retention, skin eruptions, headaches, bloated abdomen, backache, cramps, breast swelling and tenderness, insomnia, fatigue, nervousness, (See also PMS) joint pain, fainting spells, and changes in personality (such as outbursts of anger, violence, and thoughts of suicide).

Menstrual pain in young girls is often severe and relatively long-lasting. Especially at the onset of the menstrual period, the pain usually is experienced as severe. Ideally a gynecologist should be seen at the outset of menstrual periods to determine if everything is normal. If normal, the aches and pains can be eased or cured by a cup of chamomile tea, drunk very warm, or with peppermint tea or even caraway tea. These herbs contain essential oils with antispasmodic effects. Rotate the three teas, if preferred. Prepare the tea: pour 8 oz. boiling water over 2 heaping tbsp. of the herb, let steep, covered, for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink 3 cups of tea daily.
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Treatment

General: Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
Chinese Formulas
Ayurvedic Formulas
Dysmenorrhea: Chinese Formulas
Ayurvedic Formulas
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Nutrients

Calcium with magnesium chloride, 1,500 mg. per day, relieves cramping, backache, and nervousness. Primrose oil, 2 capsules 3 times per day. Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. 3 times per day, reduces water retention. Vitamin E, 400 IU at first, increase to 800 IU, helps relieve sore breasts, and improves oxygen utilization. Kelp, 4 tablets per day, is a good mineral source. L-Lysine, 500 mg. daily, start 5 days before menstrual period for those who suffer from hypoglycemia and/or herpes. L-Tyrosine, 500 mg. daily, is needed to reduce anxiety, depression and headache. Multivitamin and mineral complex with manganese, taken as directed on the label. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 3,000 mg. daily in divided doses, helps in the relief of discomfort and breast swelling, and boosts the immune system. Vitamin D, taken as directed on the label, is needed for uptake of calcium and magnesium.
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Herbs

The following herbs are taken in teas for difficult menstruation.

• Balm, lemon
• Black Haw
• Blessed thistle
• Calendula
• Camomile, German
• Catnip
• Celery
• Cohosh, blue
• Dittany
• Dong quai
• Marjoram, wild
• Oak
• Pasque flower
• Pennyroyal
• Raspberry, red
• Rosemary
• St. John's wort
• Strawberry, wild
• Valerian
• Willow, white
• Yam, wild
• Yarrow

• Alum, wild root
• Bayberry bark
• Birthroot
• Bistort root
• Burnet, great
• Burnet saxifrage
• Ceyenne pepper
• Comfrey
• Goldenseal
• Lungwort
• Nutmeg
• Pilewort
• Plantain
• Sanicle, American
• Shepherd's purse
• Smartweed
• Sorrel
• Strawberry, wild
• Yarrow

• Birthroot
• Blessed thistle
• Cohosh, black
• Cramp bark
• Dong quai
• Ginger, wild
• Lady's mantle
• Lovage
• Marjoram, sweet
• Nettle
• Parsley
• Pennyroyal
• Peppermint
• Ragwort, European
• Raspberry leaves
• Rosemary
• Skullcap
• Sumac
• Tarragon
• Watercress

Bibliography

• The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; pgs. 25, 162, 186, 352-353, 399, 307, 451.
• Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss, pgs., 245, 393-395.
• Healing Plants, by Mannfried Pahlow, pgs., 104-105.
• The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs., 166-167.
• Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 17, 23, 25, 34, 46, 48-49, 50, 55-56, 58, 66, 68, 81, 88, 96, 99, 101-102, 105, 108, 118, 132, 137, 150, 152, 159, 165, 169, 176, 180, 185-186, 194, 197199, 200, 202, 212, 213, 215, 216, 227, 250, 260, 251, 261, 263, 272, 280, 281, 302.
• The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, pgs., 75-81, 163, 166.
• Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists, by Richard Lucas, pgs., 135.
• Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pgs., 55, 60, 69, 82, 125, 135, 142, 146, 151, 230-231, 234.
• Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., pgs., 20-26, 38-68, 40-42, 84, 92-94, 106-196, 204-298, 302.
• The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, pgs., 83-84, 93, 129-130, 133-134, 136-137, 143-144, 151.
• The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 43, 54, 74-75, 482-483.
• The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 61, 62, 67, 100, 111, 118, 122, 124, 125, 130, 131, 132, 134, 135, 139, 141, 142, 146, 149, 151, 152, 158,159, 166, 168, 174, 175, 177-179, 182.
• Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 34, 81, 104-115, 122-196, 219-272, 274, 304, 311, 349, 351-364, 377, 389.

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