The Curse

Menstrual cramps are switched on and off by hormones known as prostaglandins. These are the famous products of the con­sump­tion of essential fatty acids. Which oil turns on the cramps? Omega 6 of course! Omega 3 turns them off. In a double blind, placebo controlled study in Denmark, women with their EFA ratio balanced by fish oil stunningly confirmed this effect. Moral? As ever, cut down on the omega 6 foods and boost the omega 3 foods. See the Natural Eating Book, Chapter Five, p. 79, Fats and oils. 
  
Source inter alia: Menstrual Discomfort Reduced by Fish oils; Deutch et al; Nutr. Res. Vol 20; no 5; 2000