Prostaglandins are chemicals naturally synthesized by the body's cells. They cause smooth muscles to contract and are required for the normal functioning of a number of organs, including the uterus. Prostaglandins are the chemicals that cause the uterus to contract every month and expel its unused endometrial lining in the process known as menstruation. However, if too much prostaglandin is produced, the uterus contracts too strongly and causes painful cramps. Women who experience menstrual cramps almost always have unusually high levels of prostaglandins. Because prostaglandins affect the muscles of the intestines, they are also responsible for the diarrhea or constipation that many women experience along with their menstrual cramps
There are a number of ways to reduce the effect of prostaglandins on your body:
•Start taking anti-inflammatory drugs regularly several days before your period is due to start. Anti-inflammatory drugs act to inhibit the production of prostaglandins. If you suffer from menstrual cramps, taking these drugs regularly several days before you expect your period to begin will lower your body's production of prostaglandins and should reduce the severity of your cramps. If you wait until you are already in pain, they do not usually provide as much relief.
•Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products. The body synthesizes prostaglandins from essential fatty acids. Series two prostaglandins, the kind responsible for uterine cramps, are synthesized primarily from fatty acids found in animal fats, so by reducing your consumption of animal fats, you can reduce your body's production of prostaglandins.
•Increase your consumption of Omega-3 fats (lineolic acid). Lineolic acid is used to manufacture series one and three prostaglandins, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and are beneficial to women who suffer from cramps. It can be found in olive oil, salmon, tuna, walnuts, grassfed meat, eggs, and dairy products, flax, soy, and leafy green vegetables such as kale or romaine lettuce.
•Reduce your consumption of trans-fats. Trans fats, which are found primarily in hydrogenated vegetable oils, inhibit the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.