PMS Remedies

During a certain part of the month ladies may change into uncontrollable monsters right? Well, no not literally, but thanks to the gift our bodies have received for being born a woman it's easy to feel like a monster. Every month our body goes through changes that mess with our hormones and cause us to experience several unpleasant symptoms so please forgive us unless of course you yourself would like to experience the joys of pms. My husband likes to joke around that anything that can live and bleed for more than a few days must be evil. What is it about pms that makes us sometimes downright horrid? Let me describe to you the joys of pms discomfort and some alternative treatment to alleviate those nasty systems rather than popping a Midol.

PMS-premenstrual syndrome is the symptoms most women experience a few days before and during their menstrual cycle. They can get severe enough that they affect our daily lives and daily routines. Pms is caused because our bodies are going through hormone changes and as of now doctors don't fully know why pms can be worse for some women over others. Some pms signs include both physical and emotional symptoms. Tenderness of breasts, mood swings, bloating, low back aches, cramps, food cravings, acne, being tired or having a lack of energy, feeling sad, anxious, and depressed, insomnia, wanting to withdrawal from social activities, not being able to focus, and wanting to act hostile are all things pms can cause women to experience. After knowing all the symptoms that can occur it's not hard to wonder why women hate pms discomfort and are always trying to find ways to prevent or stop the discomfort. I would like to share 11 alternative remedies that we as women can try to help us get though the troubling days in ease and avoid disrupting our daily lives. Some of these methods I use myself and others I've found by doing research and will most likely try in the future. Of course taking pills like Midol will help as well, but haven't ever just wanted to get away from pills and be able to cope without relying on pills?

1.) For me using a heating pad works wonders for multiple symptoms. For those who can't have something plugged in due to work there are travel heating pads as well that you can buy at your local drug store. Heating pads help to alleviate cramps, low back aches, and with that warm feeling wrapped around you it will most likely improve your moods so you aren't so quick to snap at someone.

2.) Take a warm bubble bath. It has the same affects of the heating pad plus it helps you to relax which will reduce your stress and anxiety. It also makes you slow down your day and grants you some personal time for just you especially after a long busy work day.

3.) Take a walk or exercise. I personally like walks since they tend to relax me, but just get in some type of exercise a few days a week and not just when you are menstruating. Exercising helps to relieve stress, pain, tension and it helps to reduce or relive our moods swings (depression, anxiety, etc.) It also gives you something to focus on instead of focusing on all of the pms discomforts we are experiencing.

4.) Wearing a supportive bra will help with the unpleasant breast tenderness if you experience that. I know myself that I go through this and there are some days where I find that even wearing just a t-shirt aggravates the tenderness and causes me to be sorer. Bras offer that support and comfort to help reduce the tenderness. You can also take vitamin E.

5.) Increase your calcium and B6 intake. Besides reducing the risk of getting osteoporosis according to my research calcium and B6 help to reduce depression and fluid retention as well as improve negative emotions.

6.) Avoid eating unhealthy foods including caffeine and salty food. Eating these foods during the premenstrual phase may increase insomnia, bloating, food cravings, pain, anxiety, depression, and tension...not good! By reducing or avoiding these foods your symptoms of discomfort should decrease. As someone who often craves chocolate it only gets worse when I'm pmsing and it never seems like I can get enough which does increase my cravings which of course is not healthy either way you looks at it.

7.) Keep a journal. Don't laugh! Write about what you are going through and experiencing. Writing will help to relive many of the emotions you are experiencing as opposed to yelling at someone you really didn't mean to.

8.) Sleep. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep. With all the changes your body is going through you are going to need to sleep. Getting lots of rest will help you to feel better and while you are sleeping you won't experience the pain of cramps or back aches. So grab your pillow and lock the world away for some sweet dreams!

9.) Eat more but in smaller portions. Eating more but in a smaller amount will help to reduce bloating and your food cravings.

10.)Bright Light Therapy. From my findings researchers claim that exposing yourself to white cool fluorescent light in the evenings and mornings can reduce the severity of your pms symptoms.

11.)Don't think about it or worry about it! When you think about something or worry about it chances are it will make those things happen and become worse. Try to distract yourself and just do what you normally would do. If you can do this you will be so wrapped up in it that you will not notice your symptoms or at least not realize them to their potential. Mind over matter!

It's important to remember that just because something works for me doesn't mean it's going to work for you. Everybody is different, so feel free to give them a try but don't feel disheartened if they don't work for you. Try seeking out a doctor's help, learn about what herbs or minerals supplements can be use, or do an internet search...there is a ton of information and plenty of suggestions and guides for you to try. Personally, taking a Midol, a hot bath, and placing a heating pad on my aches works wonders and are my top three relieves. On days that are really bad I crawl into bed and try to sleep it off. Here's to overcoming pms and getting on with your life without interruptions!

Sources

1. Kathe Gallagher. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) - Topic Overview. http://health.yahoo.com/women-overview/premenstrual-syndrome-pms-topic-overview/healthwise--hw139442.html . November 7, 2006.

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/premenstrual-syndrome/DS00134 . December 7, 2007.