Some women have little, if any, symptoms of PMS. Others find “that time of the month” a gruelling and unpleasant experience. There are quite a few natural ways of making this time on the month more comfortable and bearable however, without popping pills. If you do experience extreme discomfort, you should go see your gynae or GP to discuss your symptoms. Here are some tips- give them a go and you may be surprised how a little change in your habits or lifestyle can have.
1. Improve your diet.
Here are the facts:
· A salt-heavy diet can cause bloating.
· Caffeine can make you irritable or anxious.
· Alcohol can make you feel depressed.
· Too much sugar can make your blood sugar unstable, and therefore affect your mood.
· Try eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains the week before your period.
· Eat at regular intervals, therefore maintaining your blood sugar.
2. Exercise more.
· Exercise can fight both physical and mental PMS symptoms.
· When you feel you have no energy, this is when it is most important to push yourself to take some exercise. It will make the world of difference!
· Pick an exercise routine that you enjoy, and that gets your heart rate up.
3. Take vitamins.
· Some extra vitamins may be beneficial for PMS symptoms, especially Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E.
4. Investigate herbal remedies.
· Black cohosh, chasteberry, evening primrose oil, ginger, raspberry leaf, dandelion, or natural progesterone creams have all been cited as helping cramping and mood swings.
· Ask your gynae for his/her recommendations for herbal remedies.
5. Manage your stress factors.
· Make sure you get enough sleep.
· Make an effort to reduce your stress levels… yoga, meditation, swimming, girls night out, reading a book…
6. Take pain killers occassionally.
· PMS-related pain such as cramping, back ache, breast tenderness and headaches can be easily eased by an anti-inflammatory. But don’t make a regular habit of popping pills.
7. Go on the pill.
· A low-dose oral contraceptive can significantly reduce the symptoms of PMS.
· The components of the pill prevent large fluctuations in your hormones
Article by Claire Jowell