Lindsey Wagner, a 38-year-old mother of four, has dealt with debilitating menstrual cramps since she was a teen.
“I’ve always had terrible PMS,” she says. “I can remember being in high school and having to run to the bathroom to throw up because my cramps were so bad.”
After being diagnosed with endometriosis, she hoped the surgery she needed for that issue would also help with the cramps, but it didn’t.
She tried mainstream remedies (nothing), and even a device designed to deliver small electrical pulses to the lower abdomen area (more nothing). Her doctor prescribed birth control, which actually helped with the period cramps but also gave her horrible headaches.
“It was just exchanging one discomfort for another,” Lindsey says.
Since then, the only thing she’d found that made even a small dent in the discomfort was ibuprofen. Lots of ibuprofen.
"I would take five ibuprofens at a time, which I know isn’t great, but it was the only way I could get through," she explains. "And even then, I would often still have to lay down with a heating pad. I was still throwing up from the discomfort. I basically couldn't function for a day or two."
Discovering Functional Medicine
As Lindsey continued struggling with her period discomfort, she and her partner were also struggling with infertility (their four children are adopted).
"We tried all the mainstream things," Lindsey says. "We did all the medical testing, but they couldn't find anything wrong. Our next step was in vitro, but we didn't know if it would work and it was going to be a lot of procedures and expense to even try it."
A friend suggested Lindsey visit a functional medicine doctor – something she hadn't tried before.
"She introduced me to a more holistic, natural approach of trying to get the root problems solved, rather than just treating the symptoms," Lindsey says. "It was less about infertility and more about just making me healthier overall."
Lindsey and her functional medicine doctor have spent the last couple of years working together to address multiple issues, such as her trouble sleeping. They also discovered she had high levels of mold toxicity, which they’ve been treating with herbal supplements and sauna sessions to positive effect.
So, when her new chiropractor suggested Lindsey consider herbal support for her infertility, she was open to it.
"My chiropractor suggested WishGarden's Fertility Prep to help with my hormone health,” Lindsey says. "I don’t know if it's because of the mold toxicity or something else, but my hormones have been really out of whack for a long time."
Something else also caught her eye while browsing the website: WishGarden Herbs' Cramp Release. This blend of herbs like crampbark, Black Cohosh root, Catnip aerials, Wild Yam root, and Scullcap aerials is designed to alleviate the temporary discomforts associated with the menstrual cycle, including soothing period cramps, supporting a healthy hormone cycle, and supporting mood and relaxation.
"I just happened to see the Cramp Release formula and that it had gotten good reviews," she says. "I figured it was worth a shot and added that one to the cart too."
Immediate Relief for Menstrual Cramps
As usual, during her next menstrual cycle, the cramps hit Lindsey like a sledgehammer. But this time, she was ready to try a new remedy.
"Usually, my cramps will wake me up in the middle of the night and I'll have to get up to take ibuprofen. But ibuprofen won't work for me unless I eat something, so I'll have get up – with those really bad cramps – take my ibuprofen, and try to eat something," Lindsey explains.
"This time when I woke up, I decided to try the Cramp Release Menses Soother first. Usually even when I take ibuprofen, it won't kick in for at least half an hour, which means I'm just lying. But the Cramp Release took them to a more bearable level right away. Literally within minutes. I tried it again the next day, and I found I didn't have to take any ibuprofen – just the Cramp Release. I was immediately sold!"
Read Lindsey's review of WishGarden’s Cramp Release formula and learn about it for yourself (including more customer reviews) on our website.
Valerie Gleaton is a professional writer and editor. She has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she also earned a certificate in science and environmental reporting.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or sell any product.
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