Relief from PMS

Natural Remedies to Relieve Your Menstrual Discomfort

Dear Aunt Flow,

I am writing to you out of desperation, we need to come to some understanding about your monthly visits. I am distraught with pain and anxiety for an entire week before you even arrive and our time together proves more and more uncomfortable with each visit. Now, I know you are a natural process that is vital to my reproductive system, I just wish this ‘wonderous’ part of me being a woman wasn’t so painful and that I could be proud of our monthly encounters instead of always wishing you would never come around. It’s all the bloating, the cramps, the lower back pain, fatigue, irritability, head ache, mood swings, sudden breakouts, and I don’t know how you do it, but even my breasts are sore. Isn’t there anything I can do before you arrive that will make our time together more comfortable and less awkward and painful?

Sincerely,

The Special Body that Houses Your Visits

We all want or even desperately need some kind of relief from our monthly holidays with ‘Aunt Flow’, as our ‘period’ or ‘time of menstruation’ has so affectionately been named. For some it may feel like you just want to run to your doctor and yell “give me whatever you’ve got doc, I can’t take it anymore, drug me please!” But whether it’s severe cramps and pain or mild symptoms of discomfort, I encourage you to seek natural ways to relieve these symptoms before resorting to over the counter or prescription drugs.

It’s Your Body, Research How it Works

According to The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, “Estrogen levels are elevated and plasma progesterone levels are reduced five to ten days before the [menstrual cycle]. In addition, hormonal abnormality, hypothyroidism, and/or elevated prolactin levels are common…” I encourage you to do your own research on the causes of PMS and what happens to your body during your menstrual cycle in order to understand more about the way your body works and in turn what you can do to keep it healthy—especially during the sensitive time of your period.

Food ‘Prescriptions’ and Other Advice

Try the following list of remedies a week to two weeks before your period to relieve symptoms of PMS and lessen the discomfort during the week of your period.

• Drink Red Raspberry Leaf tea or Cramp Bark tea

• Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen and/or lower back to relax the muscles. However, for some women, an ice pack works better as this helps to relieve a build up of blood in the pelvis. Try both and stick with what feels better.

• Enjoy a warm aromatherapy bath

• Acupressure, massage, and reflexology—contact a trained professional in any of these areas to find out how you can use some appropriate techniques at home.

• Rub your belly and lower back in a clockwise direction—better yet, have a spouse or loved one do it for you.

• Ayurvedic advice is to take one table spoon of aloe vera gel (the kind intended for internal use, not the kind you rub on your skin to soothe a sunburn) with one pinch of black pepper before every meal one week before your period begins, continue taking this combination during your period if cramps persist.

• Yoga—it has proved beneficial both physically and emotionally to stay active, just don’t overdo it. Though it’s the last thing on your mind, gentle exercise such as Yoga helps to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles.

• Drink fresh pineapple juice, two glasses a day. Pineapple juice contains bromelain, which is thought to be a natural muscle relaxer.

• The authors of The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods also suggest eating less animal products and instead trying to increase your consumption of fiber rich fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes. They also state that, “evidence suggests caffeine consumption is strongly related to the presence and severity of PMS” so try to keep your cup of coffee to decaf and steer clear of energy drinks.

• Stay away from the salt shaker—this will keep the body from retaining more water and in turn help keep the bloating at bay.

Another School of Thought

Louise L. Hay, author of the book You Can Heal Your Life, says, “The probable cause of PMS is allowing for too much confusion, giving power to outside influences and rejecting the feminine processes.” Her advice is to reaffirm your female energy by developing new thought patterns through affirmations; “I now take charge of my mind and my life. I am a powerful, dynamic woman! Every part of my body functions perfectly! I love me!”

Whatever natural remedies you find that work for you just remember to be gentle with your body during ‘that time of the month’, do your homework on how the female body functions, and listen to your own body—consulting your personal physician if something doesn’t ‘feel right’. 

Article Written By:  Megan Helgeson is a freelance writer on health and wellness, a yoga instructor, and a personal lifestyle trainer--helping you get the most out of life with home organization, time management, nutrition, positive intention, and goal setting. Contact Megan at mmhelgeson@gmail.com **Don’t forget to ask about Diva Yoga Parties in Orange County.