Something for the ladies

Discomfort during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (yes, period pain) has been a drug/quackery target for hundreds of years.  So what does a leading high street pharmacy have to offer?

The majority of products on offer are analgesics (pain relievers).  If you want to be doubly patriotic, opt for one containing ibroprofen - not only is it a British invention, it was developed by Boots themselves.  Many women consider naproxen a better drug though.

Simple pain-killers may not be efficacious in all patients, for whom there are other options a GP can prescribe (for example preventing ovulation with the contraceptive pill).  If you are a bit GP-shy, there are some "alternatives" on offer:

HRI Water Balance tablets

Apparently these help to "relieve water retention and maintain a normal body fluid balance."  It's a herbal preparation containing extracts of:

• Dandelion root
• Buchu
• Parsley Peirt
• Uva Ursi

Folklore, and little else, suggests that each of these extracts have diuretic properties (they make you pee).  Each has a different cultural history (Buchu is South African, for example), so it's a panacea that has been thrown together.  There's no evidence that it works, and no suggestion that the extracts have been prepared in a consistent manner.  You might be better off with spironolactone, a diuretic that has been shown to be effective in reducing bloating and breast tenderness.

Aquaban tablets

These appear to be another diuretic strategy, that supposedly help to " to eliminate water retention that builds up in the body’s tissues and cells."  The active ingredient is ammonium chloride, once used on its own or with other drugs to achieve diuresis (60 odd years ago).  Side effects include serious nausea and vomiting, and the risk of acidosis.  Of course, that's at the therapeutic dose of about 5g; these 0.325g tablets probably have no effect at all.

Cura-Heat Period Pain
It's not clear from the information provided just how these adhesive patches generate heat; they claim to be free from medications.  Equivalent to the old hot water bottle, but less unsightly, these are a comforting distraction, but little else.


Femlieve
The most interesting of the lot, Felieve is a "traditional herbal medicinal product for use exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy."  It's another herbal extract, this time from the chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus), which has been in use for a variety of ailments (including unholy libido) for centuries.  Two clinical trials suggest that it is effective in PMS at the dose provided.  Might be worth a shot, if the ibuprofen doesn't do the job and you're feeling adventurous.