Helminthic therapy and menstruation

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The physiological and immunological changes produced by helminths can affect fertility [1] so it should perhaps be no surprise that they can also influence menstruation, especially since they have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and inflammation

Premenstrual syndrome is arguably an inflammatory condition.

These results suggest that inflammation may play a mechanistic role in most PMSx (premenstrual symptoms)… and anti-inflammatory agents may be useful for treatment of these symptoms. [2]

Helminths are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. [3]

PMS is not only a problem in its own right, but may indicate a greater risk of developing other diseases later in life, which helminths may also help to prevent.

Determining a causal relationship between chronic inflammation and premenstrual symptoms could also put PMS in a larger context. PMS may plausibly share a common etiology with conditions related to chronic inflammation that tend to occur later in the life course, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes… Establishing PMS as an inflammatory condition suggests that PMS may be a useful sentinel of future chronic disease risk, allowing for earlier identification of women at elevated risk and thereby enhancing prevention options. This intriguing possibility also suggests that treatment of premenstrual symptoms with therapies targeting inflammation could have positive impacts on long-term chronic disease risk. [4]

See also

• Helminthic therapy personal stories: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Period pain

I had excessive period pain associated with endometriosis and adenomyosis. I now have no period pain at all. I still find it incredible that my period just starts with no warning now. I used to be doubled up in agony. I think it took about 6 months after starting HW for the pain to stop. I used to think that some period pain was normal… but now I think probably our natural state is not to have any pain with a period. [5]

After 4 months of NA, I experience essentially no abdominal pain... [6]

See also

• Helminthic therapy personal stories: Menstruation, painful (Dysmenorrhoea / dysmenorrhea)

Period timing

After 4 months of NA, my period is about 2 days shorter than it was… My overall cycle length has not changed. [7] [8]

Another hookworm host has mentioned that, on two occasions, her period came early (at 3 weeks) after doses of hookworms.

See also

• Helminthic therapy personal stories: Menstruation, irregular

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

hookworm, usually referring to the human hookworm, Necator americanus

the human hookworm, Necator americanus

A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.