| If
you have bad cramps during your period, a simple vitamin
supplement might be all it takes to ease your pain.
Iranian
researchers recently studied nearly 300 teenagers who
complained they had problem periods, specifically cramps
during certain hormone changes. They discovered that
vitamin E might make a difference in calming these cramps—and
you only need to take it certain days of the month.
They
found that the participants who took 200 I.U. of vitamin
E for two days before their periods and for three days
during their periods had fewer than two hours of cramps
per cycle—down 17 percent, on average. Only four
percent of those in the study who took vitamin E still
needed ibuprofen for pain relief.
Scientists
speculate that vitamin E hinders the formation of prostiglandins,
hormone-like chemicals which can cause uterine contractions,
and so also eases cramping.
Since
previous studies have shown too much vitamin E (more
than 400 I.U.) may be bad for your heart, it’s
suggested you take the 200 I.U. for the five days recommended
only to see if it works for you.
Another
thing to keep in mind is that vitamin supplements give
your body something it’s lacking. Because we eat
more processed foods, which doesn’t give the body
enough vitamin E, you might also want to try eating
more foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts, seeds, and
salad dressings, for about three months to see if that’s
where the problem lies.
Also
note that cramps can be a sign that something else is
wrong, so if your cramps don’t go away, be sure
to see your women’s health care provider. |