Women’s Health
Dysmenorrhea, PMS, perimenopause, PCOS, lactation.
- Primary dysmenorrheaNSAIDs and heat first. Ginger has the cleanest plant RCT file for menstrual cramps.6
- PMSChaste tree has the best PMS trial file. Calcium/lifestyle still matter.4
- Perimenopause symptomsHT is the evidence-based vasomotor treatment. Black cohosh has mixed data and a liver-injury file.4
- Mild PCOS supportMetformin, cycle management, and androgens are medical. Inositol is not a plant. Spearmint/cinnamon are modest adjuncts.3
- Cyclic mastalgiaWell-fitting bra and, when indicated, imaging. Chaste tree has a human mastalgia file. This is not a breast-mass skip.3
- Nausea of pregnancyOB algorithm (B6, doxylamine, ondansetron when indicated). Ginger has a human NVP file at modest doses. This is not hyperemesis skip.3
- Lactation supportLatch and milk removal own supply. Fenugreek is the folklore galactagogue with a glucose/maple-odor file. This is not a reason to skip IBCLC.3
- Endometriosis (adjunct)NSAIDs, hormones, and (when indicated) surgery own this. Ginger has a dysmenorrhea file borrowed for pain days. Plants do not treat implants.4
- Heavy menstrual bleeding (workup first)Hemoglobin, pregnancy, structural cause, and hormones/tranexamic acid own this. Astringent teas do not replace a FIB-4 of the uterus. Dong quai can worsen bleeding.4
- Vulvovaginal candidiasis (adjunct)Azoles own this after you are sure it is Candida. Tea tree and garlic in the vagina are how people land in the ED with chemical burns.3
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopauseVaginal estrogen owns GSM. No catalog plant reverses atrophy. Moisturizer first; calendula is external comfort.3
- Irregular cycles (adjunct)Pregnancy test, TSH, prolactin, PCOS logic. Chaste tree is a luteal/PMS plant — not a clomiphene.4
- Postpartum mood (adjunct)Screen. Treat. Do not let a tincture stand in for an SSRI when an SSRI is indicated. SJW is an interaction bomb in the fourth trimester.4
- Uterine fibroids (adjunct)Imaging, hemoglobin, and gyn options (hormonal, IR, surgery) own fibroids. No catalog plant shrinks myomas.3