Menstrual pain affects millions of women worldwide, often causing significant discomfort and disruption to daily life. Joanna Lewis, PharmD, MBA, 340B program manager at Baptist Health, explores a holistic approach to managing menstrual pain, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment strategies and patient empowerment.
The approach to menstrual pain management begins with a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s existing strategies and experiences. She recommends a multifaceted approach that combines lifestyle modifications, non-pharmacological interventions, and medical treatments. Initial strategies focus on lifestyle and natural remedies, including specific yoga poses, heating pads, regular exercise, increased hydration, and reduced caffeine intake. When initial strategies prove insufficient, medical interventions become necessary, including prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, higher doses of ibuprofen and naproxen, hormonal contraceptives to reduce prostaglandin production, and targeted prescription medications for specific symptoms.
Lewis emphasizes a significant cultural shift in addressing women’s health. Traditionally, women were expected to silently endure menstrual pain, but now there’s growing awareness and open dialogue. Social media and public discussions have played a crucial role in destigmatizing women’s health issues, encouraging women to seek help and explore treatment options.
“This is an exciting time to be a pharmacist because of all the social media content, though sometimes the consumer needs help sifting through the noise, so pharmacists really need to stay up to date on the current trends and remedies so that we can counsel on what works and what doesn’t,” Lewis said. “Our jobs are evolving so much, and there may be opportunities for us to be more involved in the public and women’s health . . . so pharmacists can take a very active role in educating their patients and the public about these public health concerns.”