Hi there, readers. PMS can alter your ability to live everyday life. Almost 8% of women of reproductive age experience PMS or PMDD regularly. Do premenstrual symptoms feel like your worst enemy?
Even if these conditions are common, it doesn't mean they should be regular. So let's prioritize your menstrual health before it goes out of whack.
In this article, we'll discuss natural treatments for premenstrual mood symptoms that can be used with alternative menstrual products. Stop the suffering if you're experimenting with herbal healing.
What exactly are premenstrual mood symptoms PMS and PMDD?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical and psychological changes that occur in the second half of your menstrual cycle. They occur in a cyclic pattern that lasts 9 to 14 days. Peaking hormonal changes can cause moodiness, depression, anxiety, irritability, and other physical symptoms like sore breasts.
An acne headache. Is there weight gain? Back pain in the abdomen, stiff back joints, stomach cramps, bloating, constipation, and loss of appetite. The list goes on.
PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a severe form of PMS. These symptoms can worsen as you approach menopause, but that's not a rule. You can experience them at any age. Let's check how you can get rid of these symptoms once and for all.
Are you getting enough omega-3 from your diet?
Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids keep depression at bay. An anxiety-bloated headache Fatty fish, walnuts Flaxhemp keeps breast tenderness and breakouts at bay, and sunflower seeds are high in omega-3s.
You can try omega-3 supplements to put you in a good mood. Omega-3 enhances your overall health. They have an anti-inflammatory effect on your heart and brain, keeping you up for a flaky day.
Meditation and yoga will take care of you.
I know you might not be super pumped to work out if you're PMSing, but mild-to-moderate exercise can help you relax and give you some pain relief. In the child's pose, Sumo squats in a lizard pose.
A study found that practicing yoga for 12 weeks straight can reduce menstrual pain, breast tenderness, and swelling. This will boost your energy levels and lift your mood, which will help you cope with depression and anxiety.
Reduce your caffeine intake
Caffeine is one of the most addictive drugs. Your warm, fuzzy feeling after a cup of coffee tells your brain to keep going for more. It's natural to reach for a cup of coffee when tired, but a high caffeine intake can mess up your period. Caffeine can be hidden in other foods like tea, soda, chocolate, and medicine.
Caffeine means additional tummy problems. It can cause nausea and digestive disturbances like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Caffeine increases your adrenaline levels and increases stress too. A heavy period warrants a loss of iron through the blood.
Giving up caffeine ultimately could be a game changer for your menstrual health. Caffeine can further restrict the absorption of iron from your food and put your body in a state of iron deficiency. Pick up alternatives like decaffeinated kombucha black tea or green tea that have less caffeine in them.
Have you tried a menstrual cup?
Menstrual products like tampons and scented sanitary napkins contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. Tampons can cause additional cramping in your lower abdomen and sometimes skin irritation.
Try switching to natural products like organic sanitary pads, underwear, reusable napkins, and menstrual cups. Although no scientific data exists, these products could significantly change your cyclic symptoms.
Diet low in sodium
Go on a low-sodium diet of potato chips, pretzels, and salad dressing. Sauces and lunch meats can be laden with too much salt. Experts recommend no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Table salt adds taste to your food and increases your chances of fluid retention, bloating, and cramping.
The conventional aluminum-based anti-kicking agents from the salt may be harmful to your heart as they increase blood pressure. Switch to pink Himalayan. Add salt or add more spices to make your food flavorful and restore water balance.
Regular supplements can work wonders.
Finding the right vitamins and nutrients to support your body is as easy as taking a stroll down the local vitamin aisle. Menstrual symptoms can be alleviated by including magnesium, vitamin B6, and calcium in your daily diet.
She says women who commonly experience PMS have lower magnesium levels in their bodies. Menstrual migraines, muscle cramps, and mood swings were all but eradicated by magnesium supplementation. Vitamin b6 could also be the magic pill for regulating your menstrual cycle. One hundred milligrams of vitamin b6 daily can change the hormones that wreak havoc on your bike.
You can also try calcium d-glucuronate to reduce estrogen. Excess estrogen can cause infertility, mood imbalance, and weight gain. It can even lead to cancer. Calcium reduces estrogen dominance. The best time to take it would be after ovulation when your estrogen levels are high.
Drink some herbal tea.
Traditional medicine uses herbs like evening primrose oil, chassberry, St. John's wort, and ginkgo to ease PMS symptoms. They can be consumed in the form of teas, pills, or powders to harmonize the stress response. Shoot them up on herbal teas.
They contain natural adaptogens that strengthen the body's nervous system and combat bloating, fatigue, and insomnia in a few weeks. Research says these healing herbs can suppress pain chemicals and help your brain detox, but be careful of the cross-reactions. If you're on prescription medications, talk to your doctor before making these herbs part of your regular diet.
Using the hot water bottle
Water bottles can be your new snuggle buddies. This winter essential is not just for the cold season; it can be used all year round. A study says hot water can relieve muscle tension and cramps.
External heat over the abdominal area boosted blood circulation and relieved PMS symptoms even better than painkillers. You can also try wearing electric heat wraps under your clothes or taking a nice long soak in a warm bathtub. It is just going to put you in a great mood.
If you want to go a step further, try acupuncture.
Chinese medicine has got a relaxing solution for regulating your menstrual cycle. Acupuncture is the basis of treatment for many chronic health conditions and fertility issues. It affects the ovarian sympathetic nerves, controlling uterine and ovarian blood flow.
It's time to book yourself a relaxing session of acupuncture. According to a study, 60 women with primary dysmenorrhea who underwent acupuncture therapy for 90 days experienced relief from pain: menstrual cramps, headaches, and dizziness. Don't wait if you have diarrhea, mood changes, vomiting, or nausea.
Are you a night owl? Then get a whole night's sleep.
Have you blown up your bedtime routine because you're scrolling through social media? Even late at night, poor sleep cycles can interrupt your menstrual cycle. If you have difficulty catching enough shut-eye, try these simple methods, like avoiding screens before bedtime. Try to sleep at the same time. Avoid doing all-nighters or having caffeine and alcohol just before bedtime. Every night, avoid heavy dinners and keep your body moving so that you naturally slide into sleep.
Regular de-stressing
Your daily clutter can ramp up stress when it keeps building over time. It alters the way you function when stressed. Coupled with a hormonal imbalance, it can bring on a slew of PMS symptoms. Your body is very receptive to hormonal changes. When you're under stress, your body produces more cortisol. This affects the production of estrogen and progesterone.
When that happens, it can be a missed period.
Try to unwind after a stressful situation. Try breathing exercises, meditating, singing, dancing, or whatever helps you relax. Try using an aroma diffuser with chamomile, lavender, or rose essential oils to deal with stress.
Sage oil can also relieve menstrual cramps. You can mix a few drops of essential oil with carrier oils like almond, jojoba, and coconut oil and use it as a massage oil. You can inhale the scent by dipping cotton balls in these scented oils and placing them near your pillow or in closets, making your bedroom smell like a relaxing spa. Try massaging your abdomen in a circular motion or go to a qualified professional. This will help your body to repair and restore itself.
Faster sleep in a cold room. Even slight temperature changes can make or break your agonizing cycle. Hot flashes and sweating can exacerbate. Make your room ambient and turn down the thermostat to calm the raging hormones. Just open up a window or turn on the fan.
Keep a cold water bottle or an ice pack handy. It's handy near your nightstand. It uses breathable cotton covers that won't raise the temperature while asleep.
Stay away from fatty and sour foods.
Eating spicy foods can also raise your internal body temperature and cause your hormones to go haywire, so it's best to keep dinner simple and avoid fatty and sugary foods. Do you enjoy donuts? What about ice cream cakes and pastries? Cookies and soda.
You might want to grab these goodies when feeling down in the dumps, but they can turn against you in no time. According to a study, university students aged 18 to 24 with a high-calorie diet filled with fats and sugar had a vital risk factor for PMS.
It would help if you also avoided fakes—healthy food in disguise. Healthy foods like granola bars It's just yogurt, raisins, trail mix, and veggie chips—Most of them will be loaded with sugar, transfats, colors, and artificial sweeteners. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Small changes in your diet can produce massive positive changes in your energy levels.
Conclusion
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical and psychological changes that occur in the second half of your menstrual cycle. PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is a severe form of PMS. Almost 8% of women of reproductive age experience PMS or PMDD regularly. Giving up caffeine ultimately could be a game changer for your menstrual health. Table salt adds taste to food and increases fluid retention, bloating, and cramping.
Organic sanitary pads, underwear, reusable napkins, and menstrual cups could significantly change your cycle. Using hot water bottles and herbal teas to relieve PMS symptoms can help. Acupuncture is also a great way to regulate your menstrual cycle. Book an acupuncture session if you're looking for a more relaxing mechanical solution.