Menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome

During the fertile period of their lives, many women experience severe pain associated with their menstrual cycle: the phenomenon is known as dysmenorrhea.

 

These pains are generated through the action of so-called prostaglandins, molecules that can be derived from both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

 

While Omega-6s give rise to molecules with vasoconstrictive and proinflammatory actions, factors derived from Omega-3s act as vasodilators and anti-inflammatory.

 

Therefore, dysmenorrhea may be influenced by the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids introduced in the diet.

 

Specifically, a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that increased intake of marine-derived Omega-3s is associated with milder menstrual pain.

 

 

 

 

 

Omega-3 for dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome

Subsequent research has shown that the benefits of Omega-3 towards dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, the set of disorders preceding menstruation, can also be obtained by taking dietary supplements.

 

In fact, researchers at the University of Montreal (Canada) have shown thatkrill oil, an Omega-3-rich supplement, reduces both the pain caused by dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of PMS.

 

The study was published by Alternative Medicine Review. It involved 70 women of childbearing age who were prescribed krill oil or fish oil, another important source of Omega-3, for 3 months.

 

The efficacy of the 2 treatments was evaluated by filling out questionnaires to diagnose premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. At the same time, the researchers checked the amount of analgesics used by patients to control menstrual pain.

 

Both supplements have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea.

 

That's not all: women who took krill oil reported lower use of analgesic drugs.

 

Specifically, the researchers found that in these patients, a 10-day treatment is enough to reduce the amount of pain medication used more than can be done by taking fish oil.

 

Based on these results, the authors concluded that krill oil may be even more effective than fish oil in controlling PMS symptoms.

 

A more recent study, published in April 2010 in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, confirmed that taking fish oil for 3 months reduces both menstrual pain and the use of pain medications needed to keep it under control.

 

In this case, the research involved 36 girls between the ages of 18 and 22 who took 15 milliliters of fish oil daily, corresponding to 550 milligrams of the Omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 205 milligrams of another important Omega-3, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or a placebo.

 

Analysis of data collected after the 3-month treatment period showed a significant reduction in back and abdominal pain associated with menstruation and, at the same time, less need for analgesic medication.

 

 

 

 

 

Omega-3, an aid for the woman of childbearing age

Data to date demonstrate the efficacy of Omega-3 EPA and DHA for the treatment of PMS symptoms and dysmenorrhea.

 

The valuable fatty acids can be introduced either by increasing the amount of Omega-3 rich fish in the diet or by taking fish or krill oil.