Natural Alternative to Naproxin

[scottie]

Hi Dr, my wife takes Aleve when she has her periods (she gets intense pain/cramps during this time, and has to take something, although she'd really rather not)...is there a natural alternative to this that would aleveate the pain/cramps?
Also, we're hoping to get pregnant, is there a particular time frame where it;s considered a "long time" to wait to get pregnant where we should think about going to the dr? Thanks Dr...I appreciare all your help.

[dinoiii]

First off, I recommend she get a 25-Hydroxyvitamin D level checked; if deficient, she should really be supplementing with Vitamin D and probably magnesium and she will likely see precipitous improvement.

I also recommend to avoid too many hormonal alternatives off the bat if you do desire pregnancy and see if non-hormonal altering agents would potentially offer some assistance. This is not to suggest a hormonal like a progesterone cream and/or pregnenelone or even DHEA couldn't be added at a later point; even vitex agnus-castus, BUT it would require strict regimens of employment and that would have to be something worked out in my opinion by a trained health professional.

Vitamin B6 and Potassium may offer some assistance in the bloating department as well as with cramping, but this can be added today if she needs it.

Aptly-named: Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) may also be something you can look into without significant issue on the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle.

Again, I will re-iterate, there are many hormone-altering formulations on the market, but if pregnancy is desired, this is better left out for starters and I'd opt to go the non-hormonal altering route getting that Vitamin D level as suggested above as an ideal priority if this is causing her significant stress.


D_

[scottie]

Thanks so much Dr....I really appreciate the advice you give. One quick follow up: Shes a recovering cancer patient (something sarcoma...a tumor on the scapula thats very localised that was removed and her re-visits have shown no abnormalities.) Would the vitamin D be ok given that history? I know D is good for the immune system, but because of its fat solubility , I didnt know if she should be extra catious, given her medical history. Thanks, dr, and God Bless you for your help.