Summary
see also Hormonal
Balance, PMS,
Endometriosis,
Irritability,
Polycystic
ovary syndrome, Uterine
fibroids
The normal menstrual period varies significantly from
individual to individual. Some perfectly regular, some
unpredictable; some 3 days, some 6 or 7 days; some light,
some heavy. Menstrual problems vary as well. The
more common complaints are:
•
Cramps or painful periods (dysmenorrhea) are light to severe
pain in the lower abdomen. In young women before child
bearing these may occur with no underlying cause and they
tend to become milder with age or disappear after giving
birth. For others there may be underlying reasons for
cramps and pain such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids
and addressing these issues can relieve this monthly
discomfort.
•
Heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) either from heavy flow or
prolonged bleeding can be severe enough for discomfort and
in some cases limiting normal activity. Some
experience heavier than normal bleeding in the premenopausal
years (average menopause is 51 years).
Other menstrual conditions related to missed periods or
lack of periods.
•
Oligomenorrhea is the term used to describe infrequent
periods. If a woman has polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS), caused by hormonal imbalance, this is one of
the symptoms that may be manifested.
•
Amenorrhea is the term used to describe the absence of
menstrual periods. If a young woman does not have
periods by age 16 or an older woman stops having periods
before menopause and without pregnancy it is considered
amenorrhea. This may also be a symptom of PCOS or
another cause is extreme exercise. For female athletes
or those very physically active females hormone production
may be altered resulting in exercise-induced amenorrhea.
Health issues that may be associated with menstrual
problems are:
• PCOS
(polycystic ovary syndrome) – a hormone imbalance already
mentioned
•
Uterine Fibroids – Fibrous, non-cancerous tumors, within or
on the walls of the uterus
•
Endometriosis – Edometrium tissue that normally lines the
uterus can grow outside of the uterus (on ovaries, fallopian
tubes, and a variety of locations) and respond to the
menstrual cycle building up monthly and discharging blood
with associated pain and discomfort.
• POF
(premature ovarian failure) – when ovaries stop their normal
functioning in women under 40.
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
Balance, clary sage, cypress, Deep Blue, geranium,
ginger, lavender, marjoram, sandalwood, Serenity
Essential oils based
products: Life Long Vitality supplements,
FM Assist, MJ Assist
Also consider:
basil, bergamot, helichrysum, peppermint, rosemary,
Slim & Sassy
Suggested protocols:
Note: Menstrual problems, for some,
may include not only cramps of the uterine muscles but other
discomforts such as headaches,
constipation,
backaches, or
bloating. These are discussed on
other pages and can be consulted directly.
Long Term Preventative Measures
•
Life Long Vitality supplements - Many people report
that using these nutritional supplements was the foundation
of incredible improvement.
•
Hormone Balance - Oils and helps to balance
hormones should be considered. This link will suggest
many oils and helps.
Hormonal Balance. (or simplified consider bergamot
and clary sage)
Symptom Relief
Painful periods/cramps - Here are two
protocols that were very helpful to specific folks:
• Take 8 -12
drops of sandalwood internally in a capsule at the outset.
On the second day take 6 - 8 drops of sandalwood in a
capsule.
•
Apply 2 - 4 drops each of cypress and rosemary topically to
the abdomen. Use a warm compress on abdomen after
applying oils.
• Also
consider bergamot, clary sage, geranium, ginger applied
topically to lower abdomen or lower back. For additional
help cup & inhale and use a warm compress after applying
oils. FM Assist, or MJ Assist as well.
(note: Dr. Hill and many others point out that different
oils work for different folks and there is usually a need to
do some experimentation to determine what works best for
each individual)
Heavy bleeding - the suggestion above of
LLV is very important. Other suggestions include:
• Clary
sage, cypress, and interestingly enough Slim & Sassy blend
topically applied to the lower abdomen are reported to have
helped.
• This may
be a symptom of polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS). Go directly to this link for more
information.
Irregular periods -
• This may
also be a symptom of polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS). Go directly to this link for more
information.
• Also
consider the information on
Hormonal Balance from Dr. Hill for help.
• Remember
that heavy exercise (athletes) can cause irregular periods.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Menstrual Cramps
Pam - My 16 year
old niece has crazy painful menstrual cramps. We think that
she may have ovarian cysts and/or endometriosis. It runs in
her family. Should I just recommend clary sage? Is there
anything else I could be recommending? Should I just have
her apply the clary sage to her lower abdomen using some
carrier oil?
Lisa - I think the primary help for that
is FM Assist. I have used it with my daughter and it
worked. You may have to play with the dose to find the
exact match. Also the MJ Assist is for pain that may also
work. If you search the internet for PCOS (polycystic
ovarian syndrome) you will find a lot of information where
they are finding this imbalance may be linked to blood sugar
abnormalities. It’s worth a try. Our daughter has to watch
her carbohydrates, which seems to help with less ovarian
cysts, which cause the pain.
Tara - I have PCOS and my doctor has put
me on a low dosage of Metformin. I found out a lot about how
my body should be working from reading about it. I still
have bad cramps but the MJ Assist has helped me a lot but
you can't just take one and expect results instantly. I have
taken 2 every 4 hours for my joyful 2-3 days of pain and
drink a lot of water.
Brenda – Danielle
you wrote that you had amazing testimonials using bergamot
as an anti inflammatory. How much, how often and how did
you use it? Under tongue, capsules?
Danielle - When I started using the
bergamot, I stopped having any negative PMS symptoms. I mean
totally non-existent. My intuition told me it was the
bergamot. Then, my weight just started coming off! I lost 60
pounds over late summer and fall. I also told my friend who
had crippling cramps from her menstrual cycle about the
bergamot. She tried it and, was amazed. She now has no
cramps and has very easy periods. Which for her is huge!
I just drink it with a few drops in a glass of water
every day. My friend also drinks it and rubs it topically
over her abdomen. Hope that helps!
For me I also had more energy and didn't have stomach
issues. I also noticed weight melting off pretty instantly.
I was using frankincense and wild orange as well but when I
got bergamot sometime in the summer, the weight just started
coming off, very noticeable. It could be the combination of
the frankincense and wild orange, too just removing toxins
from my liver and body that helped shrink my fat cells.
But, my friend only has the bergamot and she claims it to
be her menstrual lifesaver.
Loe - Can you tell
me what you use for menstrual cramps besides Deep Blue or
DigestZen? I get pretty heavy cramps and really could use
your advice.
Dot - Flax seed oil - 1 TBSP
Krishna - I was able to give up midal!
Using clary sage! Just a couple of drops in my hand, rub
over area, put on a heating pad if it is really bad! Then I
always inhale oils from my hands! Sit back and relax! Pretty
soon I'm like,"What am I doing, oh yea, I was in pain! Not
anymore!" Love it! Hope this helps! It sure did for me!
Rebecca - Are you taking the LLV?
All my cramps stopped once I started taking this awesome
vitamin pack. Just one of the many great "side
effects"! It took me 3 months to realize that the
cramps stopped at the same time LLV started. I don't
have to dread day #2 anymore (the most painful day!)
Hope this will help. Before the LLV I used to use
peppermint.
Caroline - LLV and Zendrocrine for me.
My last monthly completely surprised me with its arrival
instead of my 2 weeks of pain and feeling like I am getting
a cold. And way less pain during, only thing is it lasted a
bit longer than before. The only thing that hasn't gone
away yet is a headache I get right at the end. This started
a few months ago, on the last day I get a horrible headache.
I just use my peppermint, wintergreen or Deep Blue to help
with that. My guess is that my headache is more cause by
eating gluten; I have a bad habit of eating gluten foods
during my time.
Jeannie - I gave geranium to a young
lady who has severe cramps and had her apply directly to the
sight neat. She said her cramps stopped within in 5 min and
she was good to go all day. Always be flexible if one oil
doesn't work another might. Your body will tell you.
Bridget - Bergamot! It works really fast
and it smells so good, being one of the most highly used
perfume bases for a century.
Laura - I agree with a couple others
here, Clary sage, geranium, or lavender rubbed with coconut
oil on my abdomen and back (I get back cramps) helped me
greatly. Needed only 1-2 applications during the day with
clary sage and geranium, even on the bad days.
Samara - What oils
would work for menstrual cramps?
Jenny - My daughter uses the FM Assist
and she loves them! She takes one and it makes such a huge
difference. She has also tried white fir and clary sage and
they help too, but she much prefers the FM Assist.
Natalie - I've seen marjoram used with
success for the cramping. The FM Assist is a great combo to
address many feminine issues. I would also recommend looking
to feminine balance with sandalwood applied to stomach to
get to the root of the issue.
Pat - The amazing clary sage that works
wonders for cramps and all other female issues, at least in
my daughters problems. She puts the clary sage on her ankles
(both feet) and across the top of her feet, She also uses
the FM Assist and now what used to be a big problem is now
manageable.
Jan - Peppermint is wonderful too. My
girls always ask for it and just rub it over the cramping
area.
Heavy Menstrual Flow
Sophia - I have a
very heavy menstrual flow and I came across some information
on geranium oil. It said it can help with a heavy menstrual
flow but that is it. Does anyone know how I am to apply or
take in capsules the Geranium oil and for how long?
Kirsten - Very heavy flows could also be
compromising your iron levels so if you are also battling
tiredness and lethargy it would be a good idea to run some
blood tests to see how you are placed there. I would also
support my liver function by eating whole foods, drinking
lots of water and cutting out the processed foods, sugary
drinks etc. I would also look at the chemistry of my
environment and use OnGuard products as far as possible to
clean the home - reducing the toxicity of the environment
means my body systems have less to cope with.
In the meantime, if it were me I would definitely think
about starting the LifeLong Wellness for all sorts of
support reasons, especially the EO Mega. I would also be
using Balance on the soles of my feet in the mornings and I
would also make up a blend to gently rub into my stomach
over the uterine area. This would be:
• 20
drops fractionated coconut oil
• 5
drops Clary Sage
• 5
drops Cypress
• 3
drops Rosemary
• 3
drops Helichrysum
• 3
drops Frankincense
Jeannie (from another inquiry) - I gave
geranium to a young lady who has severe cramps and had her
apply directly to the sight neat. She said her cramps
stopped within in 5 min and she was good to go all day.
Always be flexible if one oil doesn't work another might.
Your body will tell you.
Laura (also from another inquiry)- I
agree with a couple others here, Clary sage, geranium, or
lavender rubbed with coconut oil on my abdomen and back (I
get back cramps) helped me greatly. Needed only 1-2
applications during the day with clary sage and geranium,
even on the bad days.
Susan - I was asked
the following, “Can someone advise me please. I have such
awful awful awful periods. Heavy like you would not
believe. I will, at this point, try anything. I have an
herbal supplement I need to try, but you have to take so
many of them, I am not sure if I will do it! So, other ways
to help would be great.
Sharon - Rub Slim & Sassy with FCO on
the abdomen. Give it at least one month and be ready for a
pleasant surprise!
Maybe I should expand on that. Slim & Sassy is what
attracted me to doTERRA essential oils. As a nutritional
consultant I recognized that these ingredients would
detoxify the liver (that's where hormones are not broken
down when it's dirty, causing PMS), balance blood sugar
(will also cut down on irritability), and dampen appetite
but I was not prepared for the hormonal shift. I had
abnormal bleeding for one month but no period pain or
discomfort at all. Month two, the bleeding was back to
normal. Like your friend, I had heavy bleeding also due to
an inverted uterus. Just finished month three and again, no
problems. I also used some Slim & Sassy internally but not
as much as recommended.
Ramona - I also had success with rubbing
clary sage on the abdomen, during a heavy period and it
helped a ton.
Pat - Also use cypress it is known to
help the heavy bleeding.
Heather - I always had heavy bad
periods. I started the LLV supplements thinking it was for
my energy, which it helped, but then I started my period and
was worried I would be in bed for a day like usual. To my
surprise it didn't hurt! I felt a little yucky in my tummy
but nothing like before. I used DigestZen for the yucky
bloated feeling and it worked like a charm. I bled normal 2
days then wrapped it up by the 4th day. Keep in mind I was
heavy for 5 or more days before. When your body can
assimilate your vitamins and minerals it works so much
better! I am inconsistent at taking vitamins too. Just think
at what consistency would do for me!
Jenny - What helps me is to put 1 drop
(or 2) of lavender on the sanitary napkin and mix 1-2 drops
of clove w/FCO and rub on abdomen. The cramp/pain goes away
within 5-10 minutes. I've always had painful periods and had
to take Advil/Tylenol for most of my life...so this has been
a total lifesaver!
Julie Ann - If you have painful periods
you probably have inflammation. I found out through
personal use that nothing simply nothing has the instant
effect of taking away the pain, cramps and the totally
horrible feeling of monthly's like sandalwood internally.
Take 10 drops at the first sign of the pain; that took care
of the first day for me (and I had been hospitalized for
them in the past, as they were agonizing), then 6 drops the
next day and that was it! I couldn't believe that I
suffered all my life with them and found the answer 2 months
before I turned 50....oh well, so much the more, so that I
can help someone else!! Then if you want to add bergamot
externally over the tummy area...that is totally comforting
too!
Unusual Menstrual Periods
Annette – I really
am having hormone problems. I was having periods every other
week... literally. So the doctor put me on birth control
medication, the lowest dose. I tried that for a month, and
bled slow but constantly for a month, so they put me on the
highest dose, and I bled heavy, cramped and felt horrible
for a month. So I stopped them, and I quit bleeding, until I
just started again after being off for 2 weeks. They said
the next step is surgical, but I hate the thought of that.
And my face has exploded with acne, I'm sure because of the
hormone changes.
Pat – Have you read the material on
Candida? There could be this problem as it does have a
tendency to cause the bleeding. You could try the GX assist
protocol and you could also try the organic tampons with
frankincense on them. This has worked for others.
Stephanie - Laura Jacobs in one of her
webinars suggested helichrysum internally.
LaReita - Another suggestion would be
raw almonds. I have heard in many different places that raw
almonds help with the balancing of hormones. Not only that,
but I know they are excellent for heart and colon too!
JRW - I just finished the GX Assist
followed with the PB Assist in an effort to fight off Candida that
I have had for over a year and a half. One thing I noticed
was for the first time since starting my menstrual cycle I
had no PMS symptoms (no cramps, crankiness, insomnia, focus
issues, etc) and very little back pain. It was the best
period ever.
I would say the GX helped about 80%. I am going to do it
two more times along with taking the LLW. If it is Candida
(which really does make your menstrual cycle so much more
worst) then you may need to do the GX Assist a couple times
too (I'm doing it 3 times total for extra reinforcement).
April - My friend's
daughter has been diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian
syndrome). She doesn't have painful periods or anything, she
is just very irregular. Her doctor wants to put her on birth
control pills (she is 16) to regulate her period. I know
clary sage works well, as does FM Assist, as does LLW. I
would like someone to tell me which would be best to start
with and how to apply, etc, please!
Editorial comment – there were no direct
replies but later comments are included below.
Sherrie - I just thought I'd share my
experience last night in case it may help anyone else.
I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I have
undergone fertility treatments, so I know what my ovaries
can look like during ovulation from the ultrasounds. My
ovaries produce cysts at times during ovulation. Last
night they were very painful as it is around the right time
of the month for ovulation. Being a purist, I don't take
anything for this pain, but last night I thought about using
the oils. I applied a drop of basil over each ovary and it
greatly diminished the pain. Another couple of drops a
couple of hours later and I was good to go! I
feel great today. Hope this helps someone out there.
Dot – Awesome, I was going to suggest
helichrysum but basil is much less expensive.
Gretchen - A friend of mine has the same
experiences. I gave her clary sage and basil. She applied
clary sage to her lower back and basil to her abdomen and
the pain was gone. She didn't have the experience she had in
the past of living through the pain until they popped
either. She will continue to use these two oils if they come
back. I also mentioned to her she could put the basil on a
tampon but she wasn't interested in that method.
Darlene - My 16
year old daughter has PCOS. Does anyone have this and what
oils are you using and how are you using these oils?
Pat – Here is a protocol that Kathy has
had success with:
OVARIAN CYSTS
Use natural tampons without chlorine. Blend:
• 8
drops clary sage
• 8
drops frankincense
• 8
drops lavender
• 8
drops cypress
• 2
TBSP melted virgin coconut oil
Soak the mixture into the tampon. Insert over
night. Do nightly for one week, then switch for a week
to:
• 8
drops frankincense
• 8
drops geranium
• 5
drops myrrh
• 2
TBSP grape seed oil
Bonnie - Thanks Pat, this is for a 12
year old who can't use a tampon. Any other suggestions? I
had her using these oils topically but don't think there was
much result, as I kind of expected.
Stephanie - What about mixing the oils
with coco butter and making a little bolus and inserting it?
With a 12 year old that can be a little weird for her
depending on how she reacts to things like that.
Pat - Also consider just use the same
oils on her feet and the female reflexology point (ankles).
There are other ways of inserting oils, Stephanie's idea is
good also.
Ready, Set, Grow
