Health store help

Independent health store advice on menstrual health

Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health stores can offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise. This issue we speak to Bernadette Cass, owner-manager of Fruit ‘N Nut Health Store in Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Menstruation plays a major role throughout a woman’s life, particularly during the childbearing years. When hormone levels become unbalanced for various reasons, this can lead to painful, debilitating conditions which cause physical and/or mental problems. Hormones really do affect every part of our bodies!

At the start of puberty, periods can be irregular and it can take up to two years for them to settle into a pattern. Periods are deemed irregular if they are shorter than 21 days or longer than 35. Many women experience painful periods, known as dysmenorrhea, which can sometimes result in severe menstrual cramps. The pain is in the lower abdomen and may radiate to the back and inner thighs.

Heavy periods
Many women also experience heavy periods. It is hard to quantify the amount of blood that is passed during a period, but if it is over 80ml, and the period lasts more than 7 days, it is deemed to be heavy. Needing to change pads or tampons within two hours can also be an indicator of heavy flow.

Women may have fibroids which can be indicative of heavy periods. Pain, constipation and an urge to urinate often can also be a symptom of having these non-cancerous growths.

PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS comes about one or two weeks before the period arrives and usually disappears once it starts. PMS covers a wide range of symptoms from physical discomfort, mood swings and breast tenderness to water retention, insomnia, fatigue and bloating. Every woman is different of course. Some may not have bad PMS, whereas others do.

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the cells that grow inside the uterus also grow on the outside of it. This can be very painful as when the lining sheds, the blood cannot escape through the uterus as it normally does.

Perimenopause
Perimenopause commonly occurs around the ages of 45 to 50. Like lots of things, it can happen for some women earlier. Symptoms are similar to that of the menopause and include insomnia, hot flushes, irritability, anxiousness and periods becoming less regular. The menopause officially occurs when a woman has not had a period for the past 12 months.

Natural remedies
In terms of natural remedies, vitamin B6 is particularly helpful for women suffering from sore breasts and water retention coming up to their periods. Evening primrose oil is an omega-6 essential fatty acid, and women can find this particularly helpful for painful breasts and cysts. The mineral magnesium calms the nervous system, allowing better sleep, and eases painful muscles and joints. Magnesium deficiency can cause headaches and make period cramps worse. Women suffering from irregular periods and PMS should try the herbal remedy agnus castus for three months. This herb works on the pituitary gland and has a balancing effect on the hormones.

Natural sanitary products
Natural sanitary products are available in independent health stores. The important difference is that these natural sanitary products do not contain plastic, fragrances, chlorine, dyes or pesticides. We stock single-use pads, tampons and liners as well as reusable pads, liners and menstrual cups. The reusable pads and liners are free from plastic, while the reusable menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone.