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It's estimated that about 50-70 percent of endure some degree of pain and cramping during their menstrual periods. Of those women, about 10 precent experience contractions so extreme that they are about one and a half times more painful and powerful then labor pains. It is estimated that dysmenorrhea is the leading cause of work days missed by women.

Pain is a message from your body, telling you that something is not right and that an overall investigation is in order. However, painful periods are viewed somewhat differently by the medical profession and many women who complain of period pains are advised to take a painkiller and to get on with it.

Obviously pain is the overriding symptom in dysmenorrhea, but many women will experience other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, fainting, light-headedness, dizzyness, headaches, exhaustion and lethargy.

The pain itself can vary and women will often experience two types of pain. They will either experience a constant low back ache like a dull ache (congestive dysmenorrhea) or cramping pains like contractions (spasmodic dysmenorrhea). It is common to experience both type of pains but even at the sign of one, you should seek medical attention.

Dysmenorrhea has been linked to obesity, cigarette smoking, genetics, pelvic inflammation, endometritis, sexually transmitted diseases, and the use of IUDs (intrauterine devices), a form of birth control.

Treatment
Treating the pain yourself can be simple if you don't get the correct medical attention from your doctor. The supplements recommended below have been studied in clinical trials and have been found to be effective in connection with painful periods. For the best results, they need to be taken for at least three months before the change will be noticable.

Multivitamins and Minerals
A good quality multivitamin would form the foundation of your supplement program to make sure that you are getting a 'little bit of everything.' You then add in those nutrients in slightly higher amounts which are known to be helpful for painful periods.

Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is needed to help produce beneficial prostaglandins which help to relax and widen blood vessels as opposed to non-benificial prostaglandins which increase uterine contractions and pain. This vitamin has been shown to significantly reduce the intensity and duration of period pains.

Vitamin B1
This B vitamin is very effective in helping with period pain. In one study, it was given to 556 women (aged 12 to 21 years) who had moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Some of the women were given the B1 first for 90 days and then changed to a placebo. Others were given the placebo first for 90 days and the B1 next. A full 87 percent of the women were completely cured after starting the B1 treatment. This effect remained for at least two months after the women ceased taking the vitamin.

Over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen may also provide relief. Some women also benefit from using a heating pad, exercising, resting, or using prescription medications.