Does PMS make you feel “out of control” and emotional?

Many women accept premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as a normal part of life that they just have to deal with. This monthly mayhem does not have to be a part of life though! These monthly changes in mood, appetite, energy and sleep patterns are an annoying part of life and should not be considered “normal”.

Book a Consultation with Naturopath Emma Stimpson

Snappy, teary, tender and bloated?

In Australia, it is estimated that up to 70% of women experience PMS at some point in their life, with 18% of
women suffering the most severe form of PMS; premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMS encompasses a broad collection of symptoms commonly experienced in the last week or two of a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. Common symptoms include – breast soreness, food cravings, increased appetite, fluid retention, moodiness, poor concentration, skin breakouts and headaches. This collection of physical and emotional symptoms related to the menstrual cycle are often bad enough to interfere with day-to-day life, but they can be managed easily with natural medicines. PMS is a condition that is easy to treat with herbs and nutrients.

Would you like to live your life with a balanced monthly cycle? Would you like to be the same person for all four weeks of every month?

Creating a balanced monthly cycle can be achieved with simple diet and lifestyle changes and using natural medicines that can help get your cycle into balance and keep it in balance. People have used herbs and natural medicines for thousands of years to help maintain a healthy hormonal balance and reduce the severity of their PMS symptoms.

Thankfully, herbal help is at hand!

An imbalance in hormone levels causes undesirable changes in moods, behaviour and physical symptoms. However, every woman will have her own individual response to these hormonal imbalances. For example some women may experience PMS symptoms such as:

• Mood swings and irritability, anger and frustration
• Irregular periods (when stressed).
• Prone to premenstrual headaches or migraines
• Prone to digestive symptoms such as excessive bloating, discomfort, flatulence
• Shoulder and neck pain

For women who experience these symptoms, they may find relief from herbal remedies that contain herbs including Bupleurum and Paeonia.

Bupleurum: Buplerum falcatum may help to relieve menstrual irregularity related to stress. It has a mild sedative
action, helping with emotional instability and mood swings.

Paeonia: Paeonia lactiflora is commonly used for women’s disorders, regulating the menstrual cycle and reducing PMS symptoms.

Other women may experience PMS symptoms such as:

• Fluid retention
• Painful periods that are relieved by warmth and pressure
• Dull abdominal pain and distension with downward dragging sensation
• Lower back pain, worse following menstruation or when tired
• Exhaustion after period with extremely pale complexion
• Prolonged bleeding (5-7 days)
• Premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness

For women who experience these symptoms they may find relief from other herbs such as  Dong quai or Vitex agnus-castus.

Vitex agnus-castus: also known as Chaste tree  is one of the most important herbs for regulating female hormones. Vitex supports Progesterone production and decreases the production of Prolactin. The herb helps to regulate irregular periods, tending to shorten a long cycle and lengthen a short one.

Dong quai: Dong quai has been traditionally used for regulating the menstrual cycle, and for absent or painful
periods with abdominal pain.

Food and Fitness for a Healthy Balance

As well as these great natural herbal medications, dietary and lifestyle changes will also help you achieve a healthy hormonal balance:

• Reduce caffeine, salt, alcohol, chocolate, saturated fats and sugar.
• A diet high in green vegetables, essential fatty acids and lean protein sources provides essential phytonutrients, antioxidants and magnesium.
• Include detoxifying foods such as beets, carrot, sweet potato, garlic, dark leafy greens (especially vegetables from the cabbage family), and apples.
• Increase fibre in the diet.
• Stress management techniques, such as yoga, meditation and exercise can be helpful.

If you want to control your hormones rather than letting them control your life, please give us a call today on (03) 5986 5170 for more information on how to create a healthy monthly cycle and hormonal balance.

Book a Consultation with Naturopath Emma Stimpson