Period cramps are the worst. And up to 90% of women who still cycle suffer from painful periods. While many women with dysmenorrhea have tried traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aleve or Advil, they find the side effects of long-term use like upset stomach, ulcers, drowsiness, or even kidney disease worrisome. But does taking turmeric for cramps work?
Want To Make a Woman Mad?
Tell her to take a Tylenol for her period pain! There are many women who find their pain levels during their period, or throughout the month if they suffer from chronic pelvic pain, are still unbearable after taking an NSAID or other over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain. This is especially true for women with endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and chronic pelvic pain of unknown cause.
Why Do Some Women Have More Painful Periods?
As someone who has fibromyalgia, I can tell you firsthand that women with chronic pain conditions often have more painful periods, even though their pain is in other locations. It's likely that chronic pain changes your brain and body in several ways that make your periods more painful.
One way chronic pain causes more painful periods is by increasing inflammatory proteins like COX-1 & COX-2 throughout the body. This can cause your uterus to spasm and cramp more during your period. Another way is by lowering your pain threshold aka increasing your sensitivity to pain; because you are already dealing with pain in other areas of your body and simply cannot take any more!
Searching For Answers
More and more women are learning that food is medicine, and what you eat can reduce inflammation or nutritional deficiencies that could be the root cause of your menstrual cramps. While you might have heard of tips like eating more calcium in the form of cheese, or eating dark chocolate because of the magnesium in it, there are some novel ingredients that are even more powerful for support your cycle.
Turmeric For Period Cramps
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory spice you might be familiar with if you've ever eaten curry at a Thai or Indian restaurant or have curry powder at home. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, and is grown in India. That's why its nickname is Indian Saffron.
Turmeric used in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurvedic medicine) as well as Chinese medicine, for purposes including healing the gut, lungs, joints, and skin. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, and turmeric itself, have been studied in numerous clinical trials for many symptoms, including period cramps and period pain.
Heal Inside and Out
Turmeric can be eaten as a spice in food or drinks, a supplement capsule, or in a tincture. Turmeric can also be applied externally to skin, where it has local anti-inflammatory effects when applied to skin, or if formulated for deeper penetration, effects on muscle.
Ready To Get Started?
Turmeric works best when it's combined with other proven anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving ingredients. Ladykind's Rise Up Daily Mind Clearing Tincture contains turmeric and so does their Tough Love Period Pain Relief Cream. You can find more about Ladykind ingredients and the science behind them here.
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Michele Ross, PhD
Dr. Ross is a cannabis clinician based in Las Vegas and author of 5 books including CBD Oil For Health and Vitamin Weed. Visit drmicheleross.com to learn more.
