What are prostaglandins, and how do they affect the body? - #14771
I’ve been hearing a lot about prostaglandins in relation to pain and inflammation, but I don’t fully understand what they are or how they work. I know they’re related to hormones, but how exactly do they affect the body? What exactly are prostaglandins, and how are they produced in the body? I read that they play a role in processes like inflammation, pain, and fever—how do they cause pain during menstruation or injury? Can high levels of prostaglandins contribute to chronic pain conditions, and how do they interact with other hormones in the body? I also want to know how prostaglandins are regulated. Are there medications that help lower their levels to reduce pain and inflammation, or can lifestyle changes support the balance of prostaglandins naturally? If anyone has had experience with prostaglandins related to menstrual cramps or inflammation, what treatments helped reduce pain or improve your symptoms?
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Doctors’ responses
Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances produced by cells in response to injury or inflammation. They play a key role in causing pain, inflammation, and fever, as they help initiate the body’s inflammatory response. During menstruation, high levels of prostaglandins can lead to uterine contractions, causing menstrual cramps and discomfort. They also contribute to pain after an injury. Chronic conditions like arthritis can result from sustained high prostaglandin levels, leading to persistent inflammation and pain. Medications like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) work by inhibiting prostaglandin production. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress and maintaining a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric or ginger, may also help regulate prostaglandin levels naturally and reduce inflammation.
Prostaglandins, yeah, they’re kinda like the body’s little messengers involved in, like, a laundry list of things—pain, inflammation, fever, stuff like that. They’re not, strictly speaking, hormones, but they act pretty hormone-y in that they’re involved in signaling various bodily responses. So, basically, when the body needs to respond to injury or infection, prostaglandins ramp up those inflammation and pain responses. They’re made on demand from fatty acids (arachidonic acid) in the cell membranes. That why when something happens, like an injury or menstruation, prostaglandins quickly pop up to do their job.
During menstruation, for instance, they cause the uterus to contract. This is how they trigger cramps. When it comes to injury or tissue damage, prostaglandins encourage inflammation which is part of the healing process but can be a bit too much sometimes, leading to swelling and pain. And yep, high levels can lead to chronic pain conditions. They also make the blood vessels dilate and have roles in blood clotting. Wild, right?
Now, about regulation, NSAIDs (like aspirin or ibuprofen) work by dampening the production of prostaglandins—keep your inflammation and pain kinda under control. But you can also look into lifestyle tweaks, too. In Ayurveda, balancing your doshas, especially if you’re the Pitta type or have a Pitta imbalance, could help with reducing unnecessary inflammation. Keeping agni (digestive fire) strong is key. This means eating warm, cooked foods: think soups instead of salads.
Include anti-inflammatory foods, like ginger or turmeric tea—easy to make at home. You could try drinking ginger tea regularly. If you handle dairy well, warm milk with turmeric is a real calming treat. Also, sticking to a routine, where eating and sleeping happens at roughly the same times? Helpful for letting your body get in sync, you know?
For menstrual cramps, try a warm castor oil pack on the abdomen. Gently rubbing warm sesame oil might also do the trick. Yoga poses—like the child’s pose or gentle twists—can also ease discomfort.
But hey, if you’re dealing with serious pain or suspect something more intense might be going on, definitely gotta see a healthcare provider first. They’re good at figuring out what’s going on under the surface.

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