Every month I am visited by an unwanted guest. In our house, we call her ‘Aunty Flo”. She is one of those relatives that you need in your life (she signals your health and fertility), but she brings a lot of baggage with her (PMS -headaches, bloating, pain and discomfort). I don’t know if its worse knowing that every month I am in for the same type of torture or that my Dh can predict when its coming because of my mood. I know it is a natural process that my body needs to experience and thanks to its regularity and proper function, I am lucky to have three beautiful children, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy the reminder every month.
PMS (PreMenstral Syndrome) is a change in a woman’s body from the time of ovulation until 1-2 post menstruation that a woman undergoes mild to severe emotional and physical symptoms.
Some Symptoms associated with PMS:
- Fatigue
- Bloating with possible weight gain
- Headache
- Backache
- Food cravings or change in appetite
- Digestion issues
- Breast tenderness
- Pimples
- Muscle and joint pain
- Insomnia
- fluctuating emotions
- Poor concentration
- and let’s not forget uncontrollable CRYING
Natural Solutions for PMS
1.. Get Moving – Exercise is vital to any health lifestyle and this couldn’t be more true when your intrusive guest comes to visit. Maintaining a workout that makes you break into a sweat for 20-30 minutes will not only help to improve your mood, but it boosts your body’s natural painkilling endorphins causing your muscles to relax. Women who exercise regularly have lower fluid retention problems and lower the level of free-circulating estrogen in your system.
2.. Take a bite out of Sugary cravings – I must admit, when I’m feeling crappy, I know a big piece of chocolate would help brighten my day. Unfortunately, that sugar high will only last a little while, then I will crash and feel worse than before. Instead, reduce your salt intake (especially 1 week before your period) to minimize fluid retention and chow down on high fiber snacks like whole grain (GLUTEN FREE in my case!) breads, vegetables and beans. High fiber foods help to remove the extra estrogen form our bodies.
3.. Give in to the Zzzzz’s – All month long, I fight the urge to take a nap. I come up with alternative activities (such as chores, blogging, etc.) to occupy my ‘free’ time, when really I should give in to my sleepiness. Having a good sleep schedule all month long, will ensure that you are getting enough sleep and the benefits include balanced hormones, decrease chance of disease and allow you to maintain an optimal body weight.
4.. Increase Calcium – Calcium deficiency and PMS have a lot in common, they both result in headaches, mood swings, sleeplessness and muscle cramps.If you take 1,200 mg of calcium at bedtime you can help to relieve these symptoms while helping your body rest and get a good night sleep.
5.. Orange Naturals PMS – Say good-bye to PMS and menstrual irregularities with this PMS herbal combo. It contains chaste tree, skullcap, dandelion and black cohosh to help smooth out your menstrual cycles and relieve premenstrual symptoms (irritability, mood, headaches and breast tenderness. This herbal formula is a must for every woman and is rapidly absorbed and 98% of the herbs are immediately absorbed by body.
Let’s face it, Aunt Flo isn’t leaving until Menopause sets in. Instead of fighting her every month, give these simple steps a try. Not only will you feel great that time of the month, but you will improve your overall health!
How do you fight PMS?
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