How to Heal PMS

The single most common complaint of women who have not yet reached menopause is premenstrual syndrome or PMS.  Although some women have PMS as soon as they begin having periods, the majority of sufferers are women in their premenopausal years, usually starting around their mid-thirties and worsening as they get older and their estrogen levels rise, especially if they already suffer from estrogen dominance.  If you suffer from PMS, you are already aware that the condition presents numerous symptoms, some of the most common being bloating, headaches, anxiety, mood swings, breast tenderness, fatigue, cramping and irritability.  What you need to know is if there is a way you can  heal your PMS.

Factors That Affect PMS

Stress is almost always a factor in PMS.  Stress raises cortisol levels, blocking progesterone from its receptors.  Even though you may have normal progesterone levels, if it is blocked from its receptors it can’t do its job.

Diet and nutrition also play a role in the development of PMS.  It is known that high calorie, high sugar diets that include a large amount of refined carbohydrates and and hydrogenated or unsaturated vegetable oils wreak havoc with the essential fatty acids in your system and stimulate adrenaline, cortisol and insulin, all substances that block progesterone from its receptors.

Emotions are important when dealing with PMS.  Most of society expect women to suppress emotions they consider unfeminine, such as anger, strong opinions or frustration.  Women are suppose to be sweet and nurturing, concerned about the emotional happiness of others.  Continually suppressing emotions and denying your own instincts is another way of causing stress.

Steps to Take to Heal PMS

Here are actions  Dr. John Lee recommends in his book What Your Doctor Many Not Tell You About Premenopause:

• Use natural progesterone cream to control the symptoms of estrogen dominance
• Take a daily multivitamin that contains zinc, B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin B6
• Eat a plant-based diet rich in fiber.  Choose organic, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains and legumes.
• Eat fish at least two times a week.
• Take evening primrose oil or borage oil to treat symptoms
• Take an herbal formula for PMS.  The formula should contain some or all of these herbs:  peony root, milk thistle, Vitex, wild yam, dandelion root, yarrow and nettle
• Take a liver-supporting and detoxifying herbal formula including some or all of the following herbs:  Bupleurum, milk thistle, barberry, goldenseal, burdock root, yellow dock, dandelion root
• Manage stress
• Exercise daily
• Keep a journal and record your emotions.  Try to resolve unsettled issues.

Here are some things Dr. Lee recommends avoiding:

• Birth control pills
• Unopposed estrogen
• Sugar and refined carbohydrates
• Hydrogenated oils and rancid unsaturated oils
• Commercially grown meats (choose organic instead)
• Pesticides
• Chronic stress

In many cases, PMS is so bad enough that it can affect many aspects of your life.  If you are not suffering through its symptoms at the moment, you may be fearing its imminent arrival.  Isn’t it worth giving Dr. Lee’s advice a try if it will help you decrease or eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of PMS?

Related posts:

1. PMS and Essential Fatty Acids