Vitamin D for Your Painful Period
Most women, especially adolescent and young women, have to suffer through painful periods. Since they are typically put on hormones or NSAIDs with significant side effects, a safe, affordable, natural therapy would be very welcome.
Between 45% and 95% of women experience dysmenorrhoea, or painful periods. There are two types of dysmenorrhoea: primary, in which there is no underlying medical condition, and secondary, in which there is.
A new meta-analysis pooled the data from 11 controlled studies that included 687 women who experience painful periods. It concluded that vitamin D significantly decreases pain intensity in women with dysmenorrhoea. Vitamin D was effective for primary dysmenorrhoea, but not for secondary. When only women with primary dysmenorrhoea were included, the decrease in pain went from a 64% improvement to a 90% improvement. The results also show that vitamin D offers significant relief in women with vitamin D deficiency.
Another recent meta-analysis of 8 controlled studies of primary dysmenorrhoea also found that vitamin D significantly improves pain periods (Nutrients 2023,15(13),2830).
This meta-analysis offers hope of an effective, new, natural treatment for the many women who experience pain and cramping during their period.
Nutrients 2024,16(7),1089.
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For much more on preventing and treating painful periods naturally, see our book The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia.
For comprehensive natural help with your health, including menstrual health, make an appointment to see Linda Woolven now. Linda’s clinic is now open for virtual appointments.
The Natural Path is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For health problems, consult a qualified health practitioner for a comprehensive program.
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