In terms of menstruation, not all women are in the same boat. The luckiest of us spend their period of menstruation without difficulty, while others suffer from what we call dysmenorrhea (literally "hard rules").

To overcome the most persistent pain or in the case of a diagnosed endometriosis , many professionals recommend the continuous taking of an estroprogestative or microprogestative pill .

But before getting there, there are less radical methods. We go around with Odile Bagot, obstetrician gynecologist, aka "Mam Gynéco" and author of "Dico des nanas" (Hachette health editions).

Understand his evil to better fight him

For more than one in two women, the inevitable period of menstruation is accompanied by pelvic, abdominal or lumbar pain.

The periodicity and intensity of these vary from one woman to another: from mild dysmenorrhea when the pains are weak and occasional, to endometriosis which causes violent and regular pain difficult to relieve.

According to Odile Bagot, "every woman is unique, the bodies are different and the relationship to pain too, some make a mountain of nothing at all while others inflict terrible pain without slackening."

It is for this reason that treatments, even the most innocuous, do not work in the same way on all women.

Test the eternal remedies of grandmother

When the pains are mild and bearable, we can try to make them disappear thanks to old tricks like the world.

But to treat small problems, we often face tons of theories varied and even contradictory, so much so that we do not know what to think or do.

Of all that can be read about the painful rules, heat is probably the most proven method.

In practice: to relieve mild stomachaches, we opt for a hot water bottle placed in sensitive areas.

Otherwise, one drinks a tea with chamomile, valerian or sage. These three plants have proven themselves on the pain of the rules.

Try homeopathy

Homeopathic treatment can succeed where grandma's tricks sometimes fail.

  • In the case of painful periods, 9 Colocynthis, Actaea Racemosa 9 CH and Magnesia phosphorica 9 CH are routinely prescribed (5 granules each every 1 to 2 hours, spacing according to the improvement).

  • If the menses are scarce, Caulophyllum 5 CH is added (5 granules three times a day).

  • If the menses are very abundant, complete with Sabina 5 CH (5 granules three times a day).

Take medication

If alternative solutions do not have the expected effect on our pain, we turn to drugs.

The pain related to the rules are due to a contraction or cramp of the uterus (which, remember, is a muscle like the others), to which is added an inflammation.

Generally, specialists prescribe analgesics or paracetamol to relieve pain, spasmolytics against contractions (most of the time Spasfon) and anti-inflammatories to calm inflammation. In his book "Dico des nanas", Mam Gynéco recommends to self-medication enthusiasts to be careful to take the right dose (Paracetamol 3 x 1000 mg and Spasfon 3 x 2 tablets). But it explains especially that it must be limited to the recommendations of a doctor or a pharmacist for all taking progestogen and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Finally, regardless of the nature of the treatment, Mam Gynéco hammers one of its golden rules for women prone to dysmenorrhea: anticipation.

"We do not wait for the pain to set in, otherwise it's too late and the treatment is not as effective."

Turn to innovative products

As we know, technology continues to evolve ... And sometimes, some technical feats are put at the service of women.

This is the case of "Livia". Behind this name (chosen by the daughter of one of the designers of the product), hides a small device designed to reduce or even stop the pain related to the rules.

The action of Livia is based on the principle of electrostimulation . Composed of a small very light square box to which two electrodes (called "pads") are connected, the device sends light electrical impulses. The message transmitted by the impulses will block the pain signals sent to the brain and thereby reduce the stomachaches or backs that accompany the rules.

This natural solution, without medication and clinically proven, nevertheless has a cost: 159.99 € for a complete kit.

"It is forbidden to suffer"

Whatever the intensity of the pain a woman feels during her period, as well as her resistance to it, Mam Gynéco insists that "it should be forbidden for a woman to suffer" and that "the binding rules more than usual are inadmissible. "

She admits to being frightened by some misconceptions that are far too common for her taste, such as believing that menstrual pains stop after the first pregnancy. Or one who sees pain as a natural phenomenon, a way of experiencing one's body that one has to feel.

To which the gynecologist adds: "I often remind my patients that they know more about themselves than I do, and that they have to listen to each other, and if they want to try a method, they have to feel free to do so simply on the condition that there should be no medical contraindications. "